Native Forest Framework

The Native Forest Framework identifies at pre-application stage, the most appropriate native forest type - based principally on soil and vegetation. The following Forest Types (FTs) under the Afforestation Scheme of the Forestry Programme 2023-27 require the implementation of this framework:

FT 1 – Native Forests
FT 2 – Forests for Water
FT 3 – Forests on Public Lands
FT 5 – Emergent Forests (enrichment planting element)

It contains six different scenarios, together representing the main native forest types found in Ireland, together with their associated soil types. They are:

Scenario 1: Podzols (Oak-Birch-Holly Forest)
Scenario 2: Brown Podzolics (Oak-Birch-Holly with Hazel Forest)
Scenario 3: Brown Earths (Oak-Hazel Forest)
Scenario 4: Gleys (Alder-Oak Forest)
Scenario 5: Highly Modified Peat & Peaty Podzols (Pioneer Birch Forest)
Scenario 6: Alluvial Floodplains (Alluvial Forest)

Scenario	Required planting mixture
Scenario 1: Podzols (Oak-Birch-Holly Forest)	Planting mixture: 30% Sessile oak 30% Scots pine 15% Downy birch 15% Rowan 10% Holly
Scenario 2: Brown Podzolics (Oak-Birch-Holly with Hazel Forest)	Planting mixture: 50% Sessile oak 15% Hazel 10% Downy birch 10% Scots pine 5% Wild cherry 10% minor species (at least one of: hawthorn, holly, rowan, crab apple)
Scenario 3: Brown Earths (Oak-Hazel Forest)	Planting mixture: 40% Pedunculate oak 20% Downy birch 20% Hazel 5% Hawthorn 5% Wild cherry 10% minor species (at least two of: holly, spindle, rowan, crab apple, alder)
Scenario 4: Gleys (Alder-Oak Forest)	Planting mixture: 50% Common alder 10% Grey willow 10% Downy birch 10% Pedunculate oak 5% Hawthorn 15% minor species (at least one of: holly, hazel, guelder rose)
Scenario 5: Highly Modified Peat & Peaty Podzols (Pioneer Birch Forest)	Planting mixture: 45% Downy birch 10% Rowan 20% Scots pine 15% Sessile oak 10% minor species (at least one of: holly, hawthorn, hazel) Planting mixture (if the site is wet or on wetter parts of the site): 50% Downy birch 30% Grey willow 20% minor species (at least one of: rowan, hazel, alder, pedunculate oak)
Scenario 6: Alluvial Floodplains (Alluvial Forest)	No details available

Scenario

Required planting mixture

Scenario 1:

Podzols
(Oak-Birch-Holly Forest)

Planting mixture:

30% Sessile oak
30% Scots pine
15% Downy birch
15% Rowan
10% Holly

Scenario 2:

Brown Podzolics
(Oak-Birch-Holly with Hazel Forest)

Planting mixture:

50% Sessile oak
15% Hazel
10% Downy birch
10% Scots pine
5% Wild cherry
10% minor species (at least one of: hawthorn, holly, rowan, crab apple)

Scenario 3:

Brown Earths
(Oak-Hazel Forest)

Planting mixture:

40% Pedunculate oak
20% Downy birch
20% Hazel
5% Hawthorn
5% Wild cherry
10% minor species (at least two of: holly, spindle, rowan, crab apple, alder)

Scenario 4:

Gleys
(Alder-Oak Forest)

Planting mixture:

50% Common alder
10% Grey willow
10% Downy birch
10% Pedunculate oak
5% Hawthorn
15% minor species (at least one of: holly, hazel, guelder rose)

Scenario 5:

Highly Modified Peat & Peaty Podzols
(Pioneer Birch Forest)

Planting mixture:

45% Downy birch
10% Rowan
20% Scots pine
15% Sessile oak
10% minor species (at least one of: holly, hawthorn, hazel)

Planting mixture (if the site is wet or on wetter parts of the site):

50% Downy birch
30% Grey willow
20% minor species (at least one of: rowan, hazel, alder, pedunculate oak)

Scenario 6:

Alluvial Floodplains
(Alluvial Forest)

No details available

Further information

For further details, contact your local Teagasc Forestry Adviser.