Coillte is Ireland’s largest and most experienced integrated Forestry Company. We are involved in all aspects of timber production from the sourcing of seed, the production of quality nursery stock, planting, maintenance, harvesting and marketing. Our subsidiary company Smartply Europe limited is the largest processor of pulpwood in the country. As the largest landowners on the island of Ireland, we have a presence in every parish offering employment locally, where other traditional jobs are diminishing.
IS MY LAND SUITABLE FOR TREES? Not all sites are suitable for planting. The land to be planted must
• be in agricultural use prior to planting,
• not be part of an existing or proposed NHA (Natural Heritage Area) or an SAC (Special Area of Conservation), or an SPA (Special Protection Area),
• conform to Forest Service environmental and planning guidelines (See Planning and Environmental issues),
• have soil suitable for growing trees, in particular the pH or lime level can restrict the species which may be planted or render the area unsuitable for planting. This is common in midland areas and generally means that a Forest Soils Test will be required.…
Ground Cultivation Methods The most important reason for cultivating ground prior to planting is to provide a suitable planting medium for the trees. Soil-type, slope and drainage conditions will dictate the most suitable method of cultivation.
Good quality planting stock is critical to the successful establishment of your future plantation. For this reason you should always check your plants to ensure that they conform to your requirements and to a high quality standard..
Maintenance should start on all sites once the trees are planted. Key tasks include operations such as weed control, replacing tree losses and ensuring that the crop remains healthy and vigorous. All young plantations should be maintained so that:
The most commonly planted broadleaved trees in Ireland are ash, sycamore, oak and beech. The lower section of the trunk is the most valuable part of these trees. This is the portion of the tree, which yields the greatest financial return. Particular attention should be paid to stem quality over the first 4 years during which time stem height is likely to reach between 2.0 to 4.0 metres. A quality stem in a young broadleaved tree is one which is straight and unforked, with no particularly heavy branches distorting it.
ish forests are among the healthiest in Europe with relatively few serious forest pests and diseases. This is mainly due to our island status, the relative newness of the forest estate and the enforcement of plant health regulations. The increasing movement between countries of plant material and wood products such as logs, sawn timbers, pallets, packing cases and ship’s dunnage increases the risk of spread of potentially very damaging forest pests and diseases. The threat to Irish forests is best illustrated by the damage caused by Dutch Elm Disease which was introduced into Ireland and which has devastated our elm tree population. It is vital that our increasingly valuable forest estate is protected from similar exotic threats.
Nutrient Deficiencies The nutrient requirements of trees are low in comparison to most agricultural crops. However, sufficient nutrients must be continuously available to achieve good growth rates and high yields. As trees develop, the need for fertiliser will depend on the soil type and tree species planted. Trees growing on infertile peaty or mineral soils may display symptoms of nutrient deficiency after a number of years. These deficiencies can occur despite correct fertiliser application at planting time. It is important to walk your plantation and monitor trees regularly for any of the following:
Many areas of land throughout the countryside contain existing degraded woodland or scrub which have received little or no management in the past. Such areas may be eligible for grant aid under one of the Forest Service schemes.
Thinning increases the total volume yield of usable timber over the lifetime of the crop and provides an intermediate source of timber and revenue before clearfelling. Before making the decision on whether to thin the plantation, a qualified forester should be employed to assess the crop. The decision to thin is dependent on a number of factors: species and age, ground conditions, degree of access, availability of markets, suitable machinery and skilled labour.
-The current emphasis on biodiversity or nature conservation arises from global concerns for the quality of our environment. The word “biodiversity” is a combination of the words “biological” and “diversity”, and refers to the range of plant and animal species that live on this planet.
Sustainable Forest Management
Why and who benefits?
Over the past number of years, there has been a steady increase in the number and complexity of rules and regulations with regard to forest plantations in Ireland. Many farmers regard these regulations as a disincentive to setting up a farm forest enterprise. Why then are these regulations in place?
The Forest Service of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is the State body with overall responsibility for forestry in Ireland. The Forest Service oversees the spending of EU financial supports for forestry. It is also responsible for the promotion of private forestry, for forest protection, control of felling and the promotion of research in forestry and forest produce.
Written by Patrick Lehane, National Chairman, IFA Farm Forestry Section.
Wednesday, 08 January 2003
Farmer attitudes toward forestry have been changing gradually but the change has been more dramatic in recent years. This has resulted in substantial developments in farm forestry. There are now over 12,000 farmer owned plantations. Over 90% of total planting in 2001 was done by farmers.
With limited opportunities within mainstream agriculture and with the return to labour becoming more and more relevant, many farmers now see forestry as an opportunity to increase their income and to build up a valuable asset for the future. It is now accepted that we can maximise income from some of our least productive land by availing of the present forestry programme. Planted areas may also be increased without affecting the output of other agricultural produce.
Among the main reasons for the development of a more positive attitude among farmers are: • The programme of grants and premium payments
• The weighting of premium payments towards farm forestry.
• The development of a service infrastructure including advisory, training and research services.
• Changes in planting guidelines as recommended by I.F.A.
• Individual problems being dealt with at local level involving I.F.A., Forest Service and others.
However despite the improvement in attitudes among farmers, we should not forget that: • Forestry is quite a different culture from traditional farming.
• Improvement in technology and general farm practice (e.g. slatted units and baled silage) and the benefits of the CAP reform programme have maintained the attractiveness of dry stock farming as a land use.
• The reduction in land mobility and current high land values are putting pressure on all land based investment.
• There are a number of farmers who from past experiences retain a negative image of forestry. The present disparity in the level of premium paid to farmers who planted in different years is creating a negative attitude among those who had the foresight to plant in earlier years and who, under fairer circumstances, would now be increasing their areas of forestry.
The change in farmer attitudes towards forestry was indicated clearly some years ago with the establishment of a forestry section within the Irish Farmers Association. This has given farm forestry a structure similar to other more traditional commodities with representation at the National Executive and National Council. A forestry policy has been adopted by the association which is very positive towards the development of integrated farm forestry. The forestry section deals with all forestry related issues with delegates from each county attending national meetings to represent the views of individual members at branch and county level.
In order to maintain the development of this positive attitude, we must: • Establish an independent body who would have responsibility for the development and promotion of Irish forestry.
• Improve the image of forestry among the general public by actively promoting the more positive aspects of the industry.
• Establish a research and development programme specifically for farm forestry
• Develop a structure for the management and marketing of smaller farmer plantations
• Promote the development of trade in semi-mature plantations.
Some of the earlier farmer plantations are fast approaching the thinning stage. Now is the time to put a proper timber management and marketing strategy in place so that the value of these and subsequent plantations may be fully realised.
Farmer Attitudes to Forestry 
