Nationwide series of forest walks commences
Managing young forests increases their value
Teagasc, in association with the Forest Service (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine), are organising a nationwide series of forest walks from today, 19 April to 8 May, focusing on the management of young forests. All walks start at 7pm.
At these events, forestry experts from Teagasc and the Forest Service will explain why it is essential to care for young forests. These forest walks will focus on the key actions required by forest owners.
Speaking in advance of the first walk in County Clare this evening, Dr. Nuala Ni Fhlatharta, Head of the Teagasc Forestry Development Department said: “Management in the early years is essential to get the best returns from your forest, as new forests require several years of active management to become well established. If a forest is not well maintained, future timber revenue is likely to be compromised. It is therefore very important to ensure that the young forest will perform well and that budding forest owners know what needs to be done each year. This is also equally true if the management of the forest has been subcontracted out for the first four years. After all, it is the owner that will benefit financially from well looked after trees.”
Jonathan Spazzi, Forestry Advisor with Teagasc explained the topics to be discussed; “The focus in the first few years is on controlling the surrounding vegetation, ensuring that browsing animals won't damage the young trees, replanting of failed trees, assessing nutrient needs and satisfactory drainage, shaping of broadleaf trees, and reducing the risk of fires.”
He added: “The aim of these walks is twofold; first of all, to provide guidance to forest owners. Forest owners need to take an active role in the management of their forests to maximise future timber revenue. Secondly, it is also important to keep in mind that grant payments are subject to the forest successfully achieving certain standards.”
This nationwide series of forest walks is aimed at landowners who have established a new forest in the last few years. Landowners who are considering planting some land will also find these events very useful.
Further details are available from your local forestry advisor or from www.teagasc.ie/forestry
Please note: all walks start at 7pm.
County | Meeting point | Eircode | Date | Short description | Contact |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carlow | St Lazarian's Cathedral, Old Leighlin | R93 N598 | Tuesday, 24 April | Early management | Michael Somers, 087 1216163 Frances McHugh, 087 6222111 |
Cavan | Stradone Village | H12 X6P4 | Tuesday, 24 April | Early management 0-4 years | Kevin O’Connell, 087 1216159 |
Cork | Racecourse entrance Mallow, on N72 | P51 XV74 | Wednesday, 25 April | 4-10 year management of conifers | John Casey, 087 2242283 |
Cork | Opposite Kilmeen Kilbree GAA entrance, Rossmore | P85 FX33 | Monday, 30 April | 4-10 year management of agroforestry and mixed conifer/broadleaf plantations | John Casey, 087 2242283 |
Clare | Church Feakle | V94 F9W3 | Thursday, 19 April | Early management | Michael Somers, 087 1216163 |
Galway | Community Centre, Kilconnell, Co Galway | H53 E7K6 | Thursday, 26 April | Early management of conifers | Noel Kennedy, 087 9090504 |
Kerry | Heather Restaurant car park, Tomies West, Gap of Dunloe, Killarney | V93 WP94 | Thursday, 26 April | Native woodland establishment and early management | Jonathan Spazzi 087 7102739 |
Kildare | Outside Parkes Nursing Home, Boycetown, Kilcock (old N4 Kilcock – Enfield Road) | W23 X3NR | Monday, 23 April | 3-year old Oak / Norway spruce and 1-year old agroforestry plot | Liam Kelly, 087 9090495 |
Laois | Mountrath Mart (R440), Mountrath, Co Laois | R32 DH68 | Tuesday, 24 April | Reforestation and early management Of conifers | Liam Kelly, 087 9090495 |
Leitrim | Dromahair (signposted from the Riverbank Restaurant, Dromahair R287) | F91 W243 | Wednesday, 2 May | Converting an even-aged conifer plantation to Continuous Cover Forest (CCF) | Steven Meyen, 087 6775158 |
Limerick | Shanagolden Roman Catholic car park | V94 T882 | Tuesday, 8 May | Early management of Sitka spruce plantation | Jonathan Spazzi, 087 7102739 |
Mayo | Clarkes Shop, Bohola, Co Mayo | F12 X0P9 | Wednesday, 2 May | Early management of conifers | Noel Kennedy, 087 9090504 |
Roscommon | Saddler’s Inn, Kingsland, Boyle, Co Roscommon | F52 HV07 | Tuesday, 24 April | Early management of conifers | Noel Kennedy, 087 9090504 |
Tipperary | Community Centre, Holyford | E34 FW25 | Thursday, 26 April | Early management | Michael Somers, 0871216163 |
Westmeath | Outside Ballymore RC Church, along (R390) Mullingar – Athlone Road | N91 D762 | Monday, 30 April | Early management (3-year old oak and Norway spruce) | Liam Kelly, 087 9090495 |
Wexford | Mannion's Pub car park, Mount Elliott, New Ross | Y34 YY15 | Tuesday, 1 May | Early management of broadleaves/conifers | Frances McHugh, 087 6222111 |
Wicklow | St Finian's Church, Kilquiggan | R93 R729 | Thursday, 3 May | Early management of broadleaves/conifers | Frances McHugh, 087 6222111 |