Forestry Research
Teagasc provides independent forestry research, advisory and training services to private forest owners in Ireland.
Our research covers many aspects of the life cycle of a forest from seedling to sawdust.
The tree improvement programme focuses on breeding for resistance to ash dieback disease and the development of improved alder and birch for the afforestation programme.
To ensure correct species choice, research focuses on identifying the right tree for the right site using various tools such as site classification, land use analysis, economic modelling and socio-economic research. This informs forest policy.
To assist in management, our research programme also focuses on the management of broadleaves and conifers which aims to assist in the development of best practice in farm forests and promotes the use of tending, thinning and crop management to maximise timber utilisation.
Research is carried out in Teagasc research centres in state-of-the-art laboratories and growing facilities and on privately owned farm forests throughout Ireland.
We strive to deliver science-based innovation, significantly benefiting our advisory and training services. It allows for rapid and effective knowledge transfer.
Overview of Teagasc forestry research projects:
Tree Breeding / Genetics
Current research projects
- Ash resistance to ash dieback - Development of ash tree genetic resources with resistance to ash dieback (Chalara) and breeding technologies
- Irish Birch and Alder Improvement Programme - Improving the genetic quality of our native broadleaf species, birch and alder for afforestation and reforestation
- Provenance evaluation - Evaluation of Sitka spruce, Oak and Beech provenances currently used in Irish forestry
- GENESIS - Genomic evaluation for the sustainable improvement of Sitka spruce
Past research projects
- Improving ash and sycamore - Improving the genetic quality of hardwood trees for farmers, specifically ash and sycamore
- Conservation and characterisation of Irish willows
- Co-ordination of tree breeding in Europe
- Identifying the scale of suspected hybrid ash ("brown bud ash")
Silviculture / Management
Current research projects
- Broadleaf Silviculture Project - Investigating the establishment and management of broadleaf crops
- Transformation of Sitka spruce to CCF - Transformation of Sitka spruce stands to Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF)
- Ash restructuring - Group selection and underplanting of ash stands to mitigate ash dieback
- PW-IPM Project - Towards integrated pest management for pine weevil in Ireland
- Sustainable thinning - Thinning to improve profitability and timber quality in Sitka and Norway spruce plantations
Past research projects
- ShortFor Project - Exploring the potential of short rotation forestry (SRF) in Ireland to meet renewable energy demands
- WINDRISK Project - Examining factors linked to windblow and if silvicultural practices can increase the stability of Sitka spruce forests
- Potential of Minor Conifer Species - Investigating the range of conifer species available for commercial forestry on marginal agricultural land in Ireland
- Broadleaf Silviculture Research and Development
- AgroCop Project - Innovative agroforestry systems: investigating the potential of using land to produce coppiced willow together with high value hardwood trees
- Broadform project
- Formative shaping of broadleaves
- Ash - growth related factors identified
- Reducing windthrow losses in farm forestry
Markets / Economics
Current research projects
- Exploitation of small diameter alder - Exploitation of the working properties and utilisation of small-diameter Irish-grown alder
Past research projects
- EARTH Project – Exploitation and Realisation of Thinnings from Hardwoods
- AgriForValor Project - Agriculture and forestry biomass, byproducts and waste side-streams can be a key resource for the development of regional bioeconomies
- ForecastModel Project - Developing methods that can be used to improve private sector timber forecasts
- Forest Productivity and Management Programme, including:
- Farm forestry: Land availability, take-up rates and economics
Contacts
- Contact the relevant Forestry Research Staff for further information.
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