We have completed the assessment of the sanitary condition of forest stands in the regional departments within our forest protection company's area of operation and have forecasted the forest pathology situation for pest outbreaks and diseases in 2019. Currently, the forest pathology situation in the forests of the Kharkiv Regional Forestry and Hunting Administration has been analyzed. In 2018, pest outbreaks covered an area of 31,716 hectares, with control measures implemented on 959 hectares. Treatment was conducted in outbreaks of the red pine sawfly (29 ha), pine looper (387 ha), and pine web-spinning sawflies (542 ha). Over the past year, the total area of pest outbreaks in Kharkiv's forests decreased by 8,265 hectares due to treatments and natural factors such as entomophages and diseases.

According to forecasts, in 2019, pest outbreaks will cover 23,451 hectares, with control measures needed for 1,574 hectares. The weather conditions during the critical development period of the main forest pests in Kharkiv indicate a high risk. The situation favors pest growth but poses a threat to forest stands, particularly from defoliating insects such as pine sawflies, pine looper, and pine silk moth. In 2018, forest disease outbreaks affected 56,998 hectares, with sanitary and recovery measures conducted on 7,200 hectares. The most common outbreaks were trunk rot (49.7%), root sponge (19.8%), pine sponge (14.1%), and autumn honey fungus (13.1%). In 2019, disease outbreaks are projected to cover 49,798 hectares, all of which will require sanitary measures. The temperature and humidity conditions during the 2018 vegetation period were stressful for forests, leading to further spread of dangerous infectious diseases, especially rot-related infections.