Windfall damage in Lithuania's forests down overall, but Šalčininkai district faces exceptional damage

While wind damage in Lithuania's state forests has decreased significantly this year, the Šalčininkai district stands out with an exceptional concentration of fallen trees. Nearly 20,000 cubic meters of timber were affected there, representing more than half of all wind damage recorded nationwide.

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This year, the strongest squalls raged in Eastern Lithuania, so that is where the majority of wind-felled and broken trees are concentrated. The most windfalls and broken trees were recorded in the Šalčininkai, Varėna, and Švenčionėliai districts.

Overall, windstorms and gales felled or broke about 31,400 cubic meters of trees across state forests, a nearly 40% reduction from the same period last year when approximately 51,800 cubic meters were damaged. However, this national decrease masks highly uneven distribution, with strong gales primarily impacting Eastern Lithuania.

Marius Ivanauskas, a senior specialist at the State Forest Management Centre (VMU), noted that the Šalčininkai, Varėna, and Švenčionėliai districts saw the most significant windfalls. He explained that strong gales can trigger a domino effect in forests, where one fallen tree causes others to topple. While concentrated damage is logistically easier to manage, it is less favorable for forest health, as large damaged areas can arise.

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When a squall gets into the forest, it acts like a domino effect. One tree breaks or falls, then it knocks down another, and this one knocks down yet another. If a strong gust of wind follows a narrow path, damage can occur very quickly.

The damage in Šalčininkai is particularly concerning in coniferous stands. Beyond the immediate cleanup, damaged but still living coniferous wood can become a breeding ground for dangerous pests. Foresters distinguish between "vėjavarta" (uprooted trees) and "vėjalauža" (broken trunks), a distinction important for planning cleanup operations. Regardless of the type of damage, the primary concern for foresters is the risk posed to surrounding trees, especially in spruce forests, which are more susceptible to wind due to their shallow root systems and dense canopies acting like sails.

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A windfall occurs when a tree is uprooted. A broken tree is when the roots hold, but the trunk breaks. In such a case, a normal stump remains.