Stock Photo - 09 June 2022, Saxony-Anhalt, Ilsenburg: Hiking signs stand at Plessenburg Castle near Ilsenburg in the Harz Mountains. On site, the crisis team forest informed itself about the situation of the forest. The forest situation in the district of Harz will continue to deteriorate. In 2021, an increase in the bare areas of coniferous stands of over 4,000 hectares had to be registered. This does not include the areas of the Harz National Park. In 2022, the clearcut areas will continue to increase. Due to the current weather situation and the corresponding infestation of coniferous stands with the bark beetle, the Forest Crisis Team also expects a further 4,000 hectares of bare areas in 2022. In turn, about 1 167 ha could be reforested. Photo: Matthias Bein/dpa. - Ilsenburg/Saxony-Anhalt/Germany