On 24 of January 2025 Storm Eowyn was a record breaking extratropical cyclone which hit Ireland. This storm wreaked havoc on approximately 34,652 Hectares of Irish Forestry. Numbers like this bear little relevance to the numerous family owned Forests which caused almost total annihilation of what was for many a pension plan or inheritance for next generation family members. The damage was confined to mostly softwood plantations which were maturing towards final sale. This has now forced forest owners to now try and organise harvesting and selling of their crop in a new post storm market. The North East Forestry Group (NEFG) hosted a post –storm Harvesting event in Peter Farrellely Woodland in Kilmainhamwood, County Meath shortly after the storm had subsided. Along with Peter we had a drone on hand to assess the damage, a harvesting contractor groundworks contractor ,Teagasc forestry advisor and DAFM staff. This meeting was well attended by NEFG members. From this initial discussion we ascertained the following advice and recommendations.
Post Storm forest management and harvesting of timber.
We would recommend contacting your local Teagasc forestry advisor who can give you impartial advise. We would also advise contacting a registered forestry Consultant to discuss options.
https://www.aifc.ie/services/
www.teagasc.ie/forestrystormdamage
Forestry Windblow and Storm Damage 2025 - Frequently Asked Questions
specifically with storm-related damage on farms. This tranche will open immediately after the current tranche has closes on Friday, 7 March 2025, and will close on Friday, 28 March .
The normal eligibility criteria will apply, and the minimum investment remains at €2,000.
The specific items in respect of which applications will be accepted over this three-week period are as follows:
gov.ie - Minister Heydon announces 100% approval of all eligible TAMS 3 Tranche 5 Applications (www.gov.ie)
https://www.independent.ie/farming/schemes/new-tams-supports-for-generators-fencing-and-wood-chippers-announced-by-minister/a1588345136.html
The NEFG hope to host a further series of events when some of the damaged timber has been harvested. This will show the value of timber and type of timber coming out of damaged forests.
Teagasc, in conjunction with the Forestry Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) is organising 3 important events this April on managing storm damage forestry, focusing on timber harvesting, marketing and planning for reforestation.
Two outdoor events on post storm timber harvesting, will give forest owners an opportunity to view on site demonstrations and to discuss the management of forest storm damage. These events will be held in Mountbellew, Co Galway on Tuesday 01 April and in Castlerea, Co Roscommon on Tuesday 08 April. Please follow the link to register www.teagasc.ie/stormharvestdemo
Teagasc Talking Timber will be held on Tuesday April 15th in the Clayton Hotel: Clarion Road, Ballytivnan, Ballinode, Co. Sligo, F91 N8EF. This year’s event will focus on marketing of post storm conifer timber. Please follow the link for more information and to register for this important event www.teagasc.ie/talkingtimber
The following are the locations of Bord na Mona Pulp Yards. It is envisaged a further two yards will be opened this Summer in Clare and Castlepollard. All the log yards have a weighbridge and weights are fed into an IT system to Bord na Móna (BNM). These yards may offer an alternative outlets for pulp. BNM are offering €50/ tonne delivered, contact Seán Sheridan 087 032 3194.
