Windthrow in Nyvytske Forestry: Foresters Promptly Clear the Aftermath and Prepare for Forest Restoration

On July 10, a windstorm swept through the Nyvytske forestry of the Radekhiv supra-forestry of the state-owned enterprise “Forests of Ukraine.” The windthrow damaged 27.7 hectares of pine plantations. Foresters immediately began allocating the damaged plots. A commission inspection was carried out with the participation of the state enterprise “Lvivlisozakhyst,” the Western Interregional Directorate, community representatives, forest estimators from the “Ukrhoslisproekt” association, and the forester of the Nyvytske forestry.

The windthrow caused localized damage to the stands. The continuous area of damaged plots does not exceed 1 hectare, so an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure is not required. This allows for the quick removal of damaged timber before it loses its quality.

The cleanup of the windthrow will begin next week. Sanitary fellings are planned: clearcutting on 3.8 hectares and selective felling on 27.7 hectares. The total volume of harvested timber will be over 1100 m³.

The harvesting is planned to be completed by the end of the third quarter. The harvested timber will be transported by foresters to intermediate warehouses near the village of Troyitsya. The forest products (both commercial and firewood timber) will be sold at the main exchange auctions for the third quarter and at forward auctions for the third and fourth quarters. Thanks to “forwards,” wood processors will be able to reserve the necessary volume of raw materials and lock in the price.

This autumn, forest planting is planned for the plots where clearcutting has taken place. Instead of monoculture plantations, foresters will create a mixed forest that is more resistant to diseases and fires—oak seedlings will be added to the main pine species.