National Forestry Demonstration of tending and thinning of broadleaf woodlands
Wednesday 21 April, Summerhill, Co Meath
Teagasc, the Forest Service, COFORD and UCD are organising a National Demonstration of tending and thinning of broadleaf woodlands in Co. Meath on Wednesday 21 April.
This event is aimed at landowners who have broadleaf plantations at or near the age of first thinning. The event will also be beneficial to owners in general who want to envisage how their woodlands will develop. The following will be demonstrated and discussed on the day:
- Growing trees for quality timber
- Timing of first thinning
- Preparation for thinning
- Getting the job done
- Wood chip heating system
- Produce end use, fuel wood, chips etc.
In a well managed woodland at the end of a rotation there should be approximately 200 broadleaf trees per ha, the rest of the trees will have been removed as thinnings. To put it another way 85% of all trees or 50% of the volume in broadleaf woodland is removed as thinnings over the commercial life of the crop. There are many young woodlands planted in the mid 90’s that are now ready for thinning and it is important that the owners have the knowledge and are ready to commence this vital operation. The thinnings from these woodlands are a valuable asset in offsetting and/or generating farm income.
Why not become self sufficient in your home heating needs by using the thinnings from these woodlands?
The owner of this woodland has done exactly that by installing a wood chip burner for heating not only his dwelling house, but other buildings as well. The demand for firewood has increased significantly in the last two years. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has made grants available for solid fuel heating systems.
Programme:
The event will open with a discussion on the optimum time to commence tending and first thinning of Ash/Sycamore and the associated important issues to be considered at the time, e.g. felling licences, harvesting grants, forest roads etc.
This will be followed by a practical demonstration of the tending of Ash/Sycamore. Participants will be shown the process of marking the trees for tending with identification of potential final crop trees and subsequent marking of stems to be removed including competitors, wolves and diseased stems. The session will conclude with a visit to a plot that has recently been tended.
There will be advice on the safe use and maintenance of chainsaws. There will also be a demonstration on processing firewood and wood chips and a visit to the wood chip heating system.
Thinning your plantation is an essential investment for the future of your crop. This is a great opportunity to acquire the know-how to get the job done. The event is free and promises to be a very informative day. Please bring wellies and waterproof clothes - just in case!
Venue details:
Wednesday 21 April, Summerhill, Co Meath. Convene at the Summerhill Community Centre, Summerhill, Co. Meath between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Travel directions to this event (enter your starting point at "A" and click return).
For further information contact Kevin O'Connell
