Broadleaf planting review sought
He told delegates at the IFA farm forestry conference the main focus should shift from commercial broadleaf plantations to environmental and amenity planting.
“We need to start thinking outside the box when it comes to broadleaves,” he said.
“We are well aware of their environmental and amenity values.
“We need to amend our current schemes to start planting them for these reasons, instead of fooling farmers into thinking they will have veneer quality trees when they may not be realising the best return from their land.”
Mr Deasy said Coillte could also be doing more to help increase our broadleaf cover instead of leaving it mostly to the private sector.
He also warned there is no point in investing land, time and money into forestry for it to be wiped out by a bug or fungus.
“We have seen in farming over the years how pests and diseases can be imported with devastating results. The excellent health of our forest estate could give us a competitive edge over other countries. It is essential that we maintain this going forward,” he said.
Ted Horgan of Coillte told delegates that broadleaf woodlands have many non-wood benefits but there is no commercial basis for growing them in Ireland.
Public pressure to plant broadleaves is based on sentiment rather than logic, he said.
