North East Forestry Group
North East Forestry Group
Navan | Co Meath | Republic of Ireland
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Established May 2013
Japanese Larch Disease Update
A disease has devastated a plantation of 16,000 trees in Gougange Barra National Forest Park in West Cork. The disease, Sudden Oak Death, is caused by a species of fungus like organism called Phytopthora ramorum.
How to spot the symptoms of Sudden Oak Death:
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dead and partially dying trees dispersed throughout the forest -
depending on the degree of infection, the top of the tree will be turning grey or reddish brown
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possible needle wilt, irregular shoot growth, branch and shoot dieback, weeping resin and/or heavy cone production
The National Park has closed, and Coillte has moved in with harvesting equipment to fell the diseased trees - this could take up to 6 months (with a reopening date of June 2014). The forest will be replanted.
Thankfully, the timber can be used and is being processed in licensed sawmills. The timber will be kept separate and the waste incinerated.
Coillte has tested 29 other sites so far. It was originally found in the Galtee Mountains in 2010 in wild Rhododendron. It resulted in 17 infected sites, which were ultimately felled. This disease spreads rapidly and has also been found in South Tipperary, Wicklow and Kilkenny.
This, along with the more recent Ash Dieback disease (please see the article below) is causing a lot of concern among forestry owners across Ireland. The Department of Agriculture has advised vigilance amongst forestry owners.
Healthy Japanese Larch
Hopefully, these diseases will not affect the new and existing private plantations across Ireland, which are now coming to fruition after many years of waiting and caring for a crop that is truly in harmony with our rural landscape.
News from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Availability of Current Forest Road Scheme
Press Release dated 19 March 2014
‘Tom Hayes, TD..., confirmed today that the terms and conditions of the current Forest Road Scheme will continue to apply to applications financially approved up to and including 30 June 2014, with 31 March 2014 being the deadline for submission of applications under the current Scheme. ...’
Please click below for the full Press Release
Information provided by the Forestry Development Officer, Teagasc
Forest Service Forest Fire Risk Warning System 2014
‘Forest Fire Risk Warnings are issued as circulars periodically during the main wildfire risk season from February through to July. These warnings provide forest owners and managers with advance warning of high risk weather conditions, and permit appropriate readiness and mitigation measures to be taken in advance of fire outbreaks. ...’
Please click the link below for the full details:
Information provided by the Forestry Development Officer, Teagasc
Forest Fire Risk Warning
Condition Yellow - Moderate Hazard Alert
Article written by Bob Gogarty (Committee Member)
Planning a Forest Thinning
Most new enterprises in farming are an adventure, as it was for us when we decided to plant our forestry in 1995. We identified an area of land of approximately 2½ acres that was not good land and obtained advice from Teagasc regarding species, fencing and planting.
Coillte looked after the mounding and planting of trees which were Ash, we did all the fencing.
As it was a small area, we did the maintenance and replacement of plants that did not grow. Our forest grew quite well and we decided to prune our trees, but we gave ourselves a lot of work, as we pruned every tree instead of picking out the good ones and leaving the rest to grow naturally.
In 2012, we obtained a felling licence, from the Department of Agriculture, to thin and high prune our trees - this we did ourselves. We cut out every 7th row to allow machinery access to take out the tree thinnings. We also knocked down all crooked and forked trees from rows that were left. All timber for being removed was cut into 8 foot lengths, our method of taking out was by tractor and buckrake.
Let me outline some of the mistakes we made:
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Too much pruning
By taking out every 7th row when thinning, we were sometimes cutting out a row beside a drain, this left it awkward when taking the timber, as the tractor was inclined to slip into the drain. In some cases, it would be better to leave 7 rows and cut the 8th.
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Tree butts cut too high
If the trees were cut too high from the ground on the paths, and as the tracks of the tractor lowered, the butts would catch the bottom of the tractor.
In outlining some of the mistakes that were made, I hopefully benefit someone that is thinking of planning their forest thinning.
This is why groups like this can be beneficial to everyone. We can consult each other and find out the best methods to manage our forests.
Kevin O’Connell, from Teagasc, has kindly provided the following link, as a few people were interested in hurley ash at the field day at the end of March.
The DVD was ‘produced by the GAA, Teagasc and the Irish Guild of Ash Hurley Makers - 2011’. Please click on the following link and scroll down the Teagasc webpage to view the video:
The Art of Hurley Making - ‘From Ash to Clash’
Please click on the following link for full details:
Ash Dieback Findings
The following is information on Ash Dieback from The Forest Service Website:
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/ashdiebackchalara/
Ash Dieback Reminder
The disease Ash Dieback, is affecting woodland in Ireland. The disease is not harmful to people or animals, however, it can kill Ash trees.
How to spot the symptoms of Ash Dieback:
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blackening of leaves which will often hang on the tree
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discoloured stems often in a diamond shape where the leaf was attached
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dead branches
To help stop either of the detailed diseases spreading any further:
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Before visiting other places, clean mud and leaves from all footwear, pushchairs, bikes, cars, dogs and horses
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Do not remove branches, leaves or wood from this area
Please contact your nearest Teagasc office to notify them if you do spot any of these signs. Please DO NOT take in specimens to their offices.
The following update (as at 31 March 2016) on Ash Dieback disease confirmed findings in Ireland has been provided by Teagasc:
Forest Certification and Private Forests
‘As production from private forests increases, certification will facilitate market access...
The conference, held on June 30th in the Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, was launched by Minister of State for Forestry, Andrew Doyle TD and had a capacity audience comprised of private timber growers, forest owner groups, forestry companies, state agencies and timber processors.’
Marie Doyle, of University College Dublin (UCD) Forestry has written a good article on the certification of private forests in Ireland.
Please click on the following link for the full article Forest Certification and Private Forests Article.pdf
Information Updates from Teagasc
The following link is to the Master contract for Timber Sales on the Forestry Development Section of the Teagasc website.
‘A project undertaken by the Irish Timber Growers Association to facilitate and encourage the management of woodlands by providing a template Master Tree Sales Agreement for use by growers in standing timber sales.’:
Other information that will be of benefit to people that intent to harvest can also be found at:
Forestry & Energy Review Magazine
We’ve been forwarded the Forestry and Energy Review Magazine Autumn/Winter 2017 edition from Teagasc’s Forestry Department. To view the electronic edition, simply click on the following link:
Forestry and Energy Review Magazine (Autumn/Winter 2017 edition)
Irish Farmers Journal
Our Group was mentioned in an Irish Farmers’ Journal article by Donal Magner on 22 September, ‘Private Growers and Forest Certification.
Mr Magner reports that the North East Forestry Group and the Forestry Owners Co-operative Society of Cork are taking part in the pilot project for Forest Certification. An update of this will be given at this year’s Annual General Meeting taking place on 20 October in the Teagasc Navan Office (details of which can be found on our ‘Events’ page).
Minister Doyle Launches Timber Forecast & GIS Portal
‘Andrew Doyle, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Forestry, today launched the All Ireland Roundwood Production Forecast 2016-2035. A demonstration of the Department’s new GIS Portal, which displays Timber Production Forecast results geographically, was also provided at the launch.....’
Please click on the following link for the full press release dated 19th October 2016:
Minister Doyle Launches Timber Forecast & GIS Portal (19 Oct 2016).pdf
European Investment Bank Press Releases
‘The European Investment Bank and Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) have agreed to back a new initiative expected to support €112 million of new investment in privately owned forests across Ireland. ....’
Please click on the following link for the full press release dated 3 February 2017:
European Investment Bank and ISIF confirm multi-million backing.pdf
Minister Doyle Welcomes Initiative to Facilitate Forest Certification
‘Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Andrew Doyle, T.D., with responsibility for forestry, has welcomed the development of a template for private forest owners to establish certification groups. ....’
Please click on the following link for the full press release dated 28th November 2016:
‘The European Investment Bank today confirmed details for the first EIB support for forestry related investment in Ireland in 20 years. The new €90 million long-term loan from the European Investment Bank will be used to finance the cost of planting, forest management and forest road construction and maintenance by Ireland’s state-owned, commercial forestry company Coillte over the next four years. ....’
Please click on the following link for the full press release dated 3 February 2017:
European Investment Bank confirms €90 million backing for Coillte forest investment.pdf
Forestry Sector Development - COFORD Division
Newsletter Volume 17 Number 1, 2017
The link below is to the latest edition:
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Release
1 March 2017
‘Doyle launches pilot Forestry Knowledge Transfer Group’
... “Management of your forest asset enhances your ability to derive a good return. While there are a number of support schemes available from my Department such as the Forest Roads Scheme, my Department is also seeking to assist forest owners in other ways.” ...
Please click on the link below to take you to the full Press Release:
Teagasc Forestry e-News
Please click on following link for the latest edition for information on:
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Upcoming forest walks focusing on the management of young forests; -
Review on recent Forestry Advisory Clinics; and
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The all-important Basic Payment Scheme application.
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Release
17 May 2017
‘Minister Doyle Updates on Burnt Agricultural and Forestry Land
Department Investigating all of the Recent Incidents of Illegal Burning of Land
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Andrew Doyle, T.D., today provided an update on the issue of the recent illegal burning on agricultural and forestry land that has led to the outbreak of serious fires in various counties throughout the country. This update follows Minister Doyle’s recent visit to the site of the recent gorse fires in Cloosh Valley...’
Please click on the link below to take you to the full Press Release:
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Forestry Act
We have been passed the following information from Teagasc:
The implementation of the Forestry Act. Site notices must be erected for afforestation and felling. There are new conditions for felling trees and new procedures in applying for a felling licence.
Please click on the following links for information:
News
