Long waves of heat, dry weather have brought the worst bark beetle infestation in two decades to eastern France, ruining conifer forests and causing timber prices to plummet as forestry firms fell trees before they are damaged. Quality softwood prices have fallen to 60 to 80 euros per cubic metre.

Timber industry organisation Fibois Grand Est estimates that three to four million cubic metres of French public forests will be infected this year, equivalent to half the annual supply of spruce wood.