Call for forest-thinning programme

A proper forest-thinning programme could increase the value of the final timber crop by as much as 40%, a leading Teagasc forestry expert has claimed.

Teagasc national forestry development officer Jim Reidy was speaking at the announcement of nine regional meetings on forest-thinning, which will be run jointly by Teagasc and the Forest Service between October 28 and November 4.

“Effective thinning is fast-becoming an urgent issue on a significant number of farm forests. Owners are now actively seeking information on the best way of doing the job, the costs and likely markets for thinnings,” he said.

The meetings, which will provide information and advice on these crucial topics, follow demonstrations on forest thinning, run by Teagasc and the Forest Service in every county in September.

These highlighted the interest in effective management among the 15,000 landowners who now have a forest enterprise. By 2015 the farm forestry sector will account for almost 25% of total timber production.

The 8pm meetings will be held at Ennis and Letterkenny, (Oct 28), Castlebar and Dunmanway (Oct 29), Carrick-on-Shannon and Portlaoise, (Oct 30), Athenry, and Tralee (Nov 3) and Clonmel (Nov 4).

The IFA has, meanwhile, invited ministers to a round-table meeting to ensure adequate funding for forestries.