Sheikh – Sou is reborn from its ashes and bark-eating insect

Its suburban forest is in the process of natural regeneration Sheikh Sou in Thessaloniki25 years after catastrophic fire of 1997, which has been indelibly imprinted in the memory of the inhabitants of the city. The forest seems to have already been literally reborn from its ashes, while with help of nature and after the extensive tree necrosis due to the bark-eating insect, there are now the conditions to create a mixed forest in a few years from now.

The forester of Thessaloniki Tatiana Kalaitzi explains to APE-MPE that from the old cluster of artificial pine forest large areas emerged with its natural regeneration and states that “even in the large gaps, from where the pine tree that was cut down due to its infestation by the bark-eating insect was removed, there is a very large subsoil with broadleaves of logs, ferns, oaks and holly that have now found space, light and are growing and progressing.». She, in fact, estimates that “we already have an extremely mixed forest, at the beginning of course, but if the evolution of vegetation and the flow of the forest from a fire is not stopped, in the next 8 to 10 years we will see a very nice mixed forest».

The pine has been demonized

According to Ms. Kalaitzi, the pine has been demonized as it is obviously more flammable as a species in fire. However, he clarifies that this species is established in difficult environments, where nothing else grows, in arid, dry and rocky areas and thus a forest environment can be created, in which the appropriate vegetation will later develop. This also happened in the suburban forest of Thessaloniki, which was reborn from the fire of 1997.

On the other hand, he points out that “In April 2019, extensive necrosis of pine trees was observed in the suburban forest as part of an outbreak, a major epidemic that was addressed in a timely manner. “Then we were all afraid that a lot of timber would be removed, but it was not something that should not have been done,” he said. . Right now, if you take a walk in the suburban you will see large areas with natural regeneration of the pine».

The forest enrichment project is in the auction phase

The forester of Thessaloniki announces that the work of forest enrichment, which will be done by the Reforestation Directorate, is in the auction phase, while the study has been approved and credits have been found. He estimates, however, that not everything that is foreseen will be needed as the natural regeneration is progressing very satisfactorily.

Next October, the removal of the trees affected by the bark-eating will also start again, after the end of the fire-fighting season, because there are still some places where the trees have been infected.

For the first time in Greece, a fire safety zone between forest and settlements

In the meantime, for the first time in Greece, a project is being created to create a fire safety zone, sixty meters wide, at the points where the forest of Sheikh Su It is adjacent to the urban complex, ie it is close to houses, schools and businesses. “This is the first time”, comments Ms. Kalaitzi and points out that it is the only study that has been approved in Greece, with a special methodology developed for the specific area of ​​the suburban forest of Thessaloniki, with the agreement of the scientific community.

«The study arose out of necessity, after the fire in Mati. We entered a process of thinking that – for better or worse – the city expanded towards the forest, the forest did not go beyond its boundaries, while due to climate change, some special conditions arose where the forest is adjacent to the residential fabric. Thus, in the first ten meters, deforestation works are carried out and in the next 50 meters, the basement is removed and pruning is done in one third. In other words, we are creating an informal fire zone around the urban area. It is a measure of more substance but also of reassurance of the people“, Adds and notes that efforts are being made to overcome any difficulties encountered due to ownership, absence of similar projects in the past, understaffing and equipment shortages.

The works, which are expected to be completed at the end of July, are being carried out in the whole area around Sheikh Sou, on the borders of the urban complex, from the monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin in Panorama to Naples, plus the area of ​​Eleorema.

Fire protection works continue

At the same time, the fire protection projects continue, with a total budget of 1.51 million Euros, which are part of the national Anti-nero program and are funded by the Recovery and Durability Fund. Specifically, this is maintenance work to restore the accessibility of all forest roads and fire lanes throughout the area of ​​responsibility. «It’s something that happens after a very long time. The appropriations so far were in the range of 25 to 30 thousand euros per year, so we made a very small part of the road network. This year we are happy to cover all the maintenance of the entire forest road network“, Says the forester of Thessaloniki.

Small technical projects will be carried out in selected locations, as well as safe management of logging residues in artificial pine reforestation, which occurred due to the infestation by the bark-eating insect, not only in the suburban forest but also in Filiro, Liti, Melissochori and western Thessaloniki. .