Minister for the Environment Carole Dieschbourg detailed the issue in response to a parliamentary question raised by LSAP MPs Tess Burton and Mars Di Bartolomeo.
Conifers, and especially pine trees, in the Grand Duchy have been affected by bark beetles. The last two warm, dry summers have meant the beetles have become widespread and are attacking large numbers of trees.
Government-owned forests have seen nearly 18,000 trees cut down due to sickness, resulting in 56,000 cubic metres of timber.
The minister could not provide figures for trees affected on privately owned land, but estimated the damage to be similar in numbers to the government statistics, particularly in the north of the country.
This summer, the situation became more acute, with Dieschbourg estimating around half of all pine forests in the Grand Duchy suffering from the infestation.
Risk of a pandemic could develop over the next few years, as more pine trees age and decline in health.
Forest proprietors are encouraged to remove any affected trees from their land. The government has also advised against planting new pine forests, specifically to avoid monocultures.
Proprietors whose forests have been affected by bark beetles can claim damages. The amount of compensation was doubled in the spring.
