Forest Disease Control in Rovereto: Black Pine Felling and Conservation
The health operation continues in Bosco della Città and around the Porte di Trambileno area. After approximately 2,000 cubic meters of black pines were felled in Bosco della Città last year, this week (during this week), the remaining part of Vallunga (about 150 cubic meters), the Bertolda area in Noriglio (200 cubic meters), the Porte area in Trambileno (400 cubic meters), and the Ossario-Campana dei Caduti area (around 200 cubic meters) are being cleared. Forest operators from the Vallagarina Forest Vigilance Consortium, based in the Municipality of Rovereto, are overseeing the forest clearing phases of the black pine.
The damage is mainly caused by two fungi: Spheropsis sapinea (Diplodia pinea) and Cenangium ferruginosum. These are typically pathogens that act as weak parasites and are not particularly dangerous. The stressful environmental conditions caused by the abnormal climate patterns of recent winters have weakened the black pine stands, which are already ecologically fragile formations, facilitating the spread of the disease.
Origin and Role of the Black Pine
The black pine has been widely used since the beginning of the last century in reforestation efforts in denuded and impoverished areas resulting from intense exploitation of the lands near the valley floor. Specifically, among the various “geographical races” that make up the species, the Austrian black pine, native to the Eastern Alps at altitudes between 450 and 1500 meters, has been used.
Due to its frugality and rapid growth, the black pine is used to prepare and improve poor soils, even in sites outside its original ecological range. Under its protection and with the nutritional contribution provided to the soil, the conditions are created for the reintroduction of native vegetation.
In this natural evolutionary process, the black pine is destined to be replaced over the long term by native formations. However, in some areas, this transformation has undergone a sudden (and impactful) acceleration.
Protection and Containment Measures
Consequently, where the conifer has not exhausted its role as a species improving the environment, and in sites where the black pine still holds landscape significance — as in Bosco della Città — interventions are necessary to reduce the spread of the infection and protect the trees that are still vital.
The containment options for the damage — as explained by forest experts — are limited and mainly involve removing the parasite through tree cutting. The Rovereto District Forest Office has operated in this direction. The infected trees have been felled, and their removal has been entrusted to a specialized company.
An interesting note relates to how some of these trunks are used: black pine wood is particularly resinous and therefore waterproof. Some of these trunks are used as stakes for constructing pales in the nearby Venice canals.
Branches and twigs are provided to registered individuals upon request (the forest service is accessible in Rovereto city hall). Lastly, it is worth noting that, according to forest experts, even if the operation is intense, it will not lead to ground denudation because, in the meantime, broadleaf vegetation (oak, hornbeam, symbolic, and field maple) has established itself precisely thanks to the presence of the black pine.
