Forestry
Why now is the ideal time to plant a farm forest
The new €308m Afforestation Scheme is offering farmers grants of up to €8,555/ha for farm forests. Noel Kennedy Teagasc Forestry Development Officer tells us more.
27 September 2023
ForestMoocForChange - the first free online course on continuous cover forestry
Forests are under increasing pressure today; on one side sees society’s increasing demand for productivity and multipurpose use and other is an increasing pressure from climatic extremes and intensification of disturbance.
22 September 2023
New and exciting opportunities for forestry creation on farms
With the launch of the new National Forestry Programme 2023-2027, there are many new and exciting opportunities for forest creation on farms.
20 September 2023
Soil, Forests and Biochar
The soil is one of our most precious resources. Up to 50% of earths biodiversity depends on the soil and about 95% of global food crops are grown in topsoil. Soils store vast amounts of carbon. Paul Butler tells us how we can protect our soils.
15 September 2023
Ireland’s Forests - Statistics 2023
Forest Statistics is an annual compilation of statistics on the forests and the forest industry in Ireland prepared by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Read some of the highlights of the report here.
08 September 2023
Fungal populations in leaves may give insights into the health of forest ecosystems
Jo Ruane and Niall Farrelly provide an overview of ADAPTForRes, a new research project coordinated by Teagasc, which is an all island research collaboration aimed at strategies to increase the resilience in Irish forests.
08 September 2023
Extension to RDS Irish Forest and Woodlands awards entry deadline
The deadline by which applications must be submitted to the RDS Irish Forest and Woodland Awards has been extended.
02 September 2023
Genetic conservation of elms in Ireland
Since the early 1900s, Dutch Elm Disease (DED), caused by the fungal complex Ophiostoma ulmi Buisman and Ophiostoma novo-ulmi Brasier, has threatened the survival of elms in Ireland and mainland Europe. Karuna Shrestha and Dheeraj Rathore tell us about the efforts being made to conserve elms.
01 September 2023
New forestry forwarder training course launched
Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB), in conjunction with Teagasc Ballyhaise Agricultural College, has launched a new forestry forwarder training course.
29 August 2023
Deadline to enter RDS Irish Forest and Woodlands awards approaching
The RDS Forest and Woodland Awards are Ireland’s national forestry awards. They recognise and reward farmers and woodland owners who are employing the principles of climate-smart agriculture on their properties.
23 August 2023
If you go down to the woods today you just might find a forest school
In a forest school setting, children can run, climb and play in ways that are not always possible in traditional classrooms. This can help them build strength, co-ordination and self-confidence. Michael Somers, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer, found out more.
18 August 2023
Watch: Oak Cleaving - traditional wood crafts
This short video shows the traditional method, used before saws were invented, for cleaving oak posts from large logs. This technique makes use of longitudinal lines of separation in the timber caused by oak shake.
11 August 2023
Forest and Energy Sustainable Living Section at the Tullamore Show 2023
The Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show 2023 is on Sunday, August 13. It is Ireland’s largest one-day show, averaging over 60,000 visitors in recent years.
04 August 2023
Watch: Silvopasture - Farming and growing trees in the same field
Noel Kennedy, Forestry Development Officer with Teagasc discusses how the Silvopasture system of agroforestry allows farming and growing a quality crop of trees to work together in the same field.
28 July 2023
Watch: Timber categories and sales methods - conifer forest management
In this video, Sean Kelly who is the Purchasing Manager with Laois Sawmills explains the difference between different timber categories including pulpwood, stakewood, palletwood and sawlog.
21 July 2023
Take care when working with firewood
Liam Kelly, Teagasc Forestry Advisor, tells us about potential hazards when working with firewood.
14 July 2023
Woodland for Water
March 2023 has seen the establishment of almost 3 hectares of new native woodland and undisturbed water setbacks at Teagasc’s Animal and Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Co. Cork. John Casey, Forestry Advisor, and Eimear Connery, ASSAP Advisor, tell us more.
08 July 2023
Watch: Selling my Timber, a farmer’s experience
Con Keigher tells us why he considered forestry, and shares some thoughts on how forestry can be made more attractive to farmers.
07 July 2023
Supporting private forest owners and those planting a new forest
Teagasc’s Forestry Development Department provides independent forestry advisory, research and training services to private forest owners in Ireland and to any land owner considering planting a new forest. Frances McHugh, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer, tells us more.
23 June 2023
Silvicultural characteristics of oak and beech
Silviculture is the cultivation of trees for the production of timber. In this article, Kevin O'Connell, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer, looks at the silvicultural characteristics of oak and beech.
16 June 2023
Leitrim farmer Sean Creamer wins 2023 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award
Sean Creamer was presented with his award in Dublin on Wednesday, June 7th by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Pippa Hackett and Dr. Stan Lalor, Teagasc Director of Knowledge Transfer.
10 June 2023
5 steps to understanding your forest's potential
Frances McHugh, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer, sets out five ways a forest owner can develop their knowledge about their own forest and how to manage it in order to achieve multiple objectives.
09 June 2023
Watch: Preparing for second thinning - conifer forest management
Noel Kennedy, Forestry Development Officer with Teagasc, explains the difference between thinning a conifer forest for the first or the second time.
02 June 2023
Teagasc Forestry Development Department continues its innovative outdoor classroom forestry training programme
Teagasc Forestry Development Department (FDD) continues its innovative 'outdoor classroom' forestry training programme this spring, with six busy 'marteloscope' workshops in Oak Park forest. Jonathan Spazzi tells us more.
26 May 2023
Planning towards sustainable timber production at Talking Timber
Talking Timber, Teagasc’s popular conifer timber marketing event, is taking place today, Tuesday, 23 May in Athlone.
23 May 2023
Improving the biodiversity value of your forest
Steven Meyen, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer talks about how to improve the biodiversity value of your forest. He advises on how to keep browsing animals out, create/leave deadwood and more.
22 May 2023
Forests and human health and well-being
Paul Butler, Teagasc Forestry Specialist, tells us about the importance of non-timber values of forests.
19 May 2023
Talking Timber 2023: Networking to maximise timber sales outcomes
Selling timber can be both a rewarding and challenging experience for forest owners. Information and preparation are key to achieving the best outcomes. Noel Kennedy explains how Teagasc’s Talking Timber event in Athlone on May 23rd can help forest owners to successfully sell their conifer timber.
12 May 2023
Irish wood in housing
In today's world, housing is becoming a significant issue in many countries, including Ireland. Solutions for house building can be found in all farm forests in Ireland. That is timber.
05 May 2023
Forestry and Direct Payments - availing of positive interactions
Now is the time to focus on your Direct Payments, Tom Houlihan, Teagasc Forestry Specialist, tells us. With the new CAP 2023-2027 in place, the Direct Payments for 2023 includes a number of new schemes which replace previous schemes.
28 April 2023