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.
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 answer is simple - sustainable forest management (SFM). In order to achieve these standards, a National Forest Strategy was developed by the Forest Service in 1996, from which the Irish National Forest Standard and the Code of Best Forest Practices-Ireland (Forest Service 2000) were developed. The Forest Service has the responsibility for regulating SFM in Ireland.
With this background in mind, the Forest Service has drawn up an extensive list of guidelines, which must be adhered to when developing and managing all forest sites. The list consists of the following: » Forestry and Water Quality,
» Forestry and Biodiversity,
» Harvesting and the Environment,
» Forestry and the Landscape,
» Forestry and Archaeology
» Forestry and Aerial Fertilisation,
» Forestry Protection,
» Forestry Recreation.
Farmers and all forest owners should bear in mind that these guidelines, though they seem complex are easy to implement at plantation establishment or reforestation stage. They can be implemented with little disruption or reduction in hectares planted, benefiting the farmer and the wider community as a whole, not to mention the native flora, fauna and biodiversity.
It is imperative that we aim to manage all new plantations sustainably and with more than timber production in mind. In this way, biodiversity conservation, landscape enhancement, areas for recreation and sustainable timber production can be achieved, while ensuring, now and in the future, continuous benefits for mankind.
So again, what does all this mean for the plantation on your farm? Simply put, in the near future, if your plantation is not sustainably managed, taking into account all appropriate environmental guidelines it may be difficult to sell the timber on the open market.
In this regard certification is the process whereby the adherence to the principles of sustainable forest management is independently verified.
