Teagasc/COFORD Publish Latest Forestry Research

A new Teagasc publication, to assist owners of broadleaf forestry plantations to increase the quality and value of hardwood timber produced, is being launched today. ‘Silvicultural Guidelines for the Tending and Thinning of Broadleaves’ is a new set of guidelines written by Dr Ian Short (Teagasc/UCD) and Toddy Radford, Teagasc and deals with the tending and thinning requirements of a range of Irish broadleaf species.

Professor Gerry Boyle, Teagasc director said: “This publication is the most up-to-date broadleaf management advice available in Ireland and is based on years of dedicated research. This very valuable manual encompasses joint research by Teagasc, UCD and COFORD, and is very timely with so many broadleaf woodlands now due their first thinning throughout the country. Such a publication will be of direct benefit to the private forest owner by adding value to his or her hardwood crop”.

This broadleaf management manual - ‘Silvicultural Guidelines for the Tending and Thinning of Broadleaves’ will be officially launched by Professor Boyle at a forestry event in County Kilkenny today. The National Forestry Demonstration on Broadleaf Management and Thinning is taking place in the Rower, Inistioge at 11am.

Jointly organised by Teagasc, the Forest Service and COFORD this event is aimed at landowners whose broadleaf woodlands are at, or near, the first thinning stage. The main emphasis of today’s event focuses on producing quality stems and on the thinning of broadleaves. Tending and thinning broadleaves are essential investments for the future to ensure the production of valuable hardwood timber.

Venue details:

Wednesday, 20 May, The Rower, Inistioge, County Kilkenny
Attendees are requested to meet at the Community Hall in The Rower between 11am and 1pm where transport is provided to the demonstration site. (The Rower is 12 km from New Ross).
For further information contact Frances McHugh, Teagasc Forestry Adviser, 087-6222111 or log on to www.teagasc.ie/forestry.

Currently around 30% of the annual afforestation area in Ireland is broadleaves. Early management priorities for these broadleaves has been on weed control and shaping to date. However, many of these plantations, especially light-demanding species such as ash, now require tending and thinning work to provide adequate growing space and reduce disease within the plantation. Ongoing management of broadleaves is very important on all sites.

A leaflet based on the above research can be downloaded from the Teagasc website at http://www.teagasc.ie/forestry/docs/technicalinfo/leaflets/Teagasc Tending Thinning Broadleaves