Forestry & Energy Review - Vol 13 Issue 2 Autumn/Winter 2023

Forestry & Energy REVIEW Volume 13 Issue 2 Autumn/Winter 2023 Price €5.95. £5.00 (Stg)

THE VOICE OF FORESTRY & RENEWABLE ENERGY

FOREST STRATEGY

BIOMASS AS A FUEL

WESTERN HEMLOCK

MANY NEW OPTIONS FOR FARMERS

IMPROVE QUALITY AND REVENUE

OPTIONS TO DIVERSIFY SPECIES

>> SEE PAGE 14

>> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 60

IT PAYS TO PLANT TREES

Ireland’s new Forestry Programme is now open. Attractive grants and premiums worth more than €1,100 per hectare are available. Plan for the future with trees on your farm.

Explore your options at www.gov.ie/forestry

Foreword/Contents/Credits

Forestry & Energy REVIEW Volume 13 Issue 2 Autumn/Winter 2023

Features

14 Ireland’s Forest Strategy and Forest Strategy Implementation Plan Through comprehensive public consultation and engagement with stakeholders, a Shared National Vision for trees, woods and forests in Ireland was established for the first time.

16 Going Negative Can Be Positive – Forests, Bioenergy And Removing Carbon Dioxide From The Atmosphere Forest expansion over 100 planting seasons – an unheralded achievement.

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20 The APF Show Is Back!

The UK’s largest forestry, woodland, arboricultural, fencing, trees and timber show.

22 Biomass As a Fuel

The opportunity through the wood fuel quality assurance (WFQA) scheme.

24 McHale Plant Sales Launches Pre-Owned Equipment Auction Site McHale Plant Sales is bringing their legendary used equipment market online with the opening of a website focused entirely on used equipment sales.

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38 Foreword

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elcome to the Autumn/Winter Edition of Forestry & Energy Review Magazine. The clocks have gone back and the winter is drawing in, and the approved Forest Service Plan is released.

The new Afforestation Scheme for the period 2023-2027 opened for applications in conjunction with Government approval.

This afforestation scheme offers a broad range of planting options, with rates up to 46%66% higher than those contained within the previous Forestry Programme. The premium period has also been extended from 15 to 20 years for farmers.

The afforestation scheme contains twelve Publisher: Denis Lane Tel. + 353 91 777222 Email: dlane@dawnmedia.ie Production: Lauren McGregor Shauna Quinn Contributors: Noel Kennedy Teagasc Marie Doyle UCD Sarah Keenan UCD Charles Harper UCD Killian Murphy UCD Virginia Morera-Pujol UCD Barry MacMahon UCD Dr Simone Ciuti UCD Maarten Nieuwenhuis UCD

Tom Kent SETU Tom Houlihan Teagasc Michael Somers Teagasc John Casey Teagasc Oliver Sheridan Teagasc Jonathan Spazzi Teagasc Dr. Ian Short Teagasc Dr. James Moran GMIT Dr. Daire Ó hUallacháin UCD Dr. John Finn UCD John O’Connell LTWO Jonathan Sykes LTWO Fergus Moore DAFM Eugene Curran DAFM Rachel Irwin Teagasc Niall Farrelly Teagasc Aine Ni Dhubhain UCD Eugene Hendrick SmartEarth Dr Dheeraj Rathore Teagasc Eibhlín Vaughan UCD

26 Worrell Harvesting Moving Onwards and Upwards Sustainably Kenneth Worrell explains their unique approach to maximizing returns from forests using sustainable methods.

30 Woodland Grow

How the forestry industry can close the carbon loop of timber production and put microbial life into forest residue and back into woodlands without the use of peat or synthetic fertilisers.

diverse forest types, providing ample choice for farmers and other landowners to plant according to their needs. Within this scheme, the Department covers 100% of the costs to establish the forest, and all payments and earnings are income tax free.

Hoping you all Keep safe during these challenging times. We trust you will enjoy reading this publication which will continue to provide a voice for the Forestry and Energy sectors.

The Publisher Forestry & Energy Review

John O’Sullivan UCD Fiachra O’Loughlin UCD Mary Kelly-Quinn UCD Eva Freeney UCD Johnathan Turner UCD Kevin O Connell Teagasc Joe Harrington MTU Rodhraí Crowley MTU Jeremy Ryan GRET B Denis Mahon DAFM Brendan Fitzsimons Tree Council Brian Tobin UCD Susie Foreman UCD Conor O Reilly UCD Ian Short Teagasc Ken Byrne UL Mike Clancy UL Liwen Xiao TCD Mark O Connor TCD

Ana de Miguel Munoz SETU Enda Coates SETU Brian Cronin SETU Alex Troy SETU Grace Jones Teagasc Emma Fuller Teagasc Dheeraj Rathore Teagasc Distribution: EM News Newspread Published by: Dawn Media Ltd, 2 Barrack St Clarinbridge Co Galway Tel. + 353 91 777 222 Email: dlane@dawnmedia.ie

All material contained in this edition is copyright of Forestry and Energy Review 2023 and may not be reproduced or electronically stored without the permission of the publisher. However items may be freely reproduced provided the source is acknowledged.

Content and views expressed in the publication do not necessarily represent those of the publishers.

38 QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Arboriculture

The many benefits of becoming an Arborist for Arborist Apprentices and Employers.

40 Successful Spring Marteloscope Outdoor Training Programme Marteloscopes provide outdoor training in tree selection and other key forest management techniques.

46 Changing Forest Species Composition During Climate Change

Providing European forests the greatest chance of survival.

52 Forest MOOC For Change - First Free Online Course On Continuous Cover Forestry Alternative management options that combine the profitable production of quality wood with the enhancement of biodiversity and the protection of ecosystem services.

54 Forestry Innovation A Reality Or Wishful Thinking?

Dr Kathryn O Donoghue CEO of Forest Owners Co-Op addresses the future direction and potential of Irish Forestry.

60 Western Hemlock: An Important Species For Ireland’s Forest Diversification?

A tree species which has been perhaps underutilised in Irish forestry, and suggests that it’s good growth potential and versatility provides more options to diversify forest management practice.

66 New Focus On Forestry Driving Growth In Equipment Sector

Proof that forestry is gaining in importance – not just in its own right but in the spin-off benefits the sector brings to those engaged in it – is something that is becoming more evident across the board.

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News

Oak CCF Event in Limerick - Sustainable forests from seed to Sawdust

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he opportunities and challenges of applying CCF systems was the theme of a very well attended Continuous Cover Forestry(CCF) open day in July organised by Teagasc Forestry Development Department in Co.Limerick. Located near the village of Dromcolliher, the day focused on the transformation to continuous cover management of a young Oak forest owned by Jonathan Sykes in the beautiful surroundings of Springfield farm and castle.

In spite of persistent rain 90 forest owners, foresters and students braved the weather to attend the event led by local Teagasc forestry adviser Jonathan Spazzi and Jonathan Sykes. Speakers included Padraig O’Tuama, CCF consultant forester, Liam Byrne CCF Specialist contractor and ProSilva and Robert Windle, DAFM forestry inspector.

Participants heard that Jonathan Syke’s objectives for his broadleaf forest include a balanced mix between sustainable forest management and timber production, farm diversification and enhancing their Springfield Castle hospitality business offering.

The groups followed a prepared route through the heart of the forest which brought them through a number of stops hosted by CCF experts who addressed topics ranging from CCF management planning and thinning to tree selections and natural regeneration.

Participants learnt that initial works to transform it to a multispecies, multipurpose productive forest started in 2020, funded under the Continuous Cover Forestry Scheme element of DAFM’s Woodland Improvement Scheme.

Take home messages: • The focus of management at all stages is to use harvesting to mimic natural disturbance and exploit other natural processes such as natural regeneration.

• Consider “active silviculture” - putting greater emphasis on the vigour and development of the tree crowns of selected trees over the more common approach of maximising stem length.

• High pruning is a critical management operation to optimise longer term timber value in selected trees.

• When selecting the optimum timing for first thinning the aim is

www.aspenfuels.com 4

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• •

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to optimise the crown development with growing a straight stem.

The “sweet spot” to achieve a balance between both is in general when trees reach 8-10 m in height.

At 1st thinning stage between 50-150 trees per hectare are selected for retention as Potential Crop Trees (PCTs). Ultimately the actual number of trees to be selected depend on species, objectives and management approach but it is an important factor in effective management.

While CCF allows commercial timber harvesting while retaining forest cover in the long term, it may not be an option for all forest sites as issues with elevation, exposure and soil quality may raise forest stability issues. It also requires greater management inputs than conventional forestry.

For the final stop the groups gathered in Springfield Castle to hear about its history and see the wonderful timber restoration works carried out. All the timber was sourced from Jonathan’s woodlands with added value being achieved by on site sawmilling producing high quality sawnwood and furniture using thinnings for use on the castle and farm.

Adding value to their broadleaf thinnings is the goal of a Hardwood Focus group of likeminded Limerick forest owners started and facilitated by Jonathan Spazzi and in which Jonathan Sykes is an active participant.

Springfield farm and castle is also now the location for a Technological University Dublin (TUD) Masters students programme exploring new farm construction designs using hardwood thinnings as outlined by programme supervisor Marcin Woickic.

Irelands leading supplier of WFQA certified Wood Chip for SSRH boilers CONTACT US TODAY Kenny McCauley 0861631628 mccauleywoodfuels@gmail.com facebook.com/McCauleyWoodFuels

News

Teagasc Forest Photo Competition 2023 – Now Open! a prize of €300 for each category winner. Each adult and junior theme winner will also go forward to a Grand Final on 15 December, when a further €300 prize will be awarded to the overall adult and junior category winners.

Theme 1: Trees and Biodiversity 9 AM, October 5th to 5 PM, October 26th Theme 2: Trees on the Farm 9 AM, October 27th to 5 PM, November 20th Theme 3: The Forest Harvest 9 AM, November 21st to 5 PM, December 11th Theme 1 Trees and Biodiversity - October 5th to October 26th This theme focuses on the animal and plant life in and around forests, how and where forests provide shelter and food for animals including insects, birds and mammals, as well as other flowering plants.

2022 Teagasc Photo Competition overall winner Ciaran Willmore, Hidden Waterfall

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Celebrating The New Forestry Programme 2023-2027’ is the subject of the Teagasc Forest Photo Competition 2023 that is now open for entry tor budding (non-professional) photographers. This year, there is a new junior category for anybody under 18 years of age.

Competition & Prizes The ‘Celebrating the New Forestry Programme 2023-2027’ photo competition will run from October to December, 2023 based on three subject themes.

There are separate adult and junior categories for each theme with

Theme 2 Trees on the farm - October 27th and November 20th This theme covers all aspects of trees on the farm and how forests and trees are integrated into other farming activities and into the overall landscape. Trees provide shelter from wind and sun for farm animals and can help in protecting water courses.

Theme 3 The Forest Harvest November - 21st and December 11th This final theme is a celebration of all that we can harvest from forests both tangible and intangible. Timber is one of the most valuable forest materials used by humans but there are other maybe less obvious forest harvests including fungi, berries and flowers. Perhaps another “harvest” from the forest is the calmness and wellbeing we can experience from spending time in the forest.

To enter your photo online (online entries only) and see competition T&Cs please see www.teagasc.ie/forestphotos

Leitrim winner of 2023 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award

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ean Creamer from Ballinamore, Co.Leitrim is the winner of the 2023 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award. He was presented with his award by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Pippa Hackett and Dr. Stan Lalor, Teagasc Director of Knowledge Transfer.

Westmeath farmer Isabella Donnelly received the Special Commendation Award in the 2023 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award category.

Farming full-time on 53ha in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, Sean Creamer manages a suckler herd and a young mixed forestry enterprise. In 2016, Sean decided to plant forestry along the recently re-developed Shannon Erne waterway on land, which had become challenging for farming. He identified forestry as a steady and reliable income stream, but also an opportunity to grow quality timber and enhance local biodiversity and landscape.

Today, his diverse forest of nine different types of conifer and native broadleaf trees is growing very well on land that he struggled to farm and provides important additional farm income. As a strong advocate of farmers working with the environment, Sean sees the impact of the forest going far beyond the financial gain with real benefits for biodiversity, animal welfare, water quality and carbon storage.

On receiving the 2023 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award, Sean commented: “I am delighted to receive this award. Not only is the forest allowing our farm to be more financially sustainable but is also really helping environmentally which is something I strongly believe in.”

Congratulating Sean Creamer Dr Stan Lalor said: “With farmers facing many challenges, the need to forward plan and explore possibilities to innovate and diversify is central to a sustainable and resilient agricultural sector. Sean is an excellent example of a farmer whose vision and positive actions are contributing to the economic and environmental sustainability of Irish Agriculture. Teagasc is

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Presentation to 2023 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award winner Sean Creamer! delighted to be associated with the RDS Forestry Awards through our sponsorship of the Farm Forestry Award Category.”

Noel Kennedy, Teagasc Forestry Advisor said: “Sean’s award is well deserved and his successful diversification into forestry highlights how farms and forests can work so well together with strong economic, practical, social and environmental benefits. His success is a great example for others to aspire to.”

For more information on all aspects of forest creation, management and training visit www.teagasc.ie/forestry

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News

Athlone hosts 2023 Teagasc Talking Timber

John Ryan Murray Timber discusses log quality at Talking Timber 2023

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thlone was this year’s venue for the popular annual Talking Timber marketing event organised by Teagasc in association with DAFM and Forests Industry Ireland which was attended by over two hundred forest owners and industry representatives.

With a recent Coford report forecasting that timber production from private forests will increase to 3.6 million cubic metres by 2030.

It is really important therefore that forest owners are in a position to maximise their returns through the successful planning and sale of their timber and attendance at Talking Timber can be a springboard in this process .

This year’s theme “Planning towards sustainable timber production”

explored how forest owners and the wider industry can adapt their management and strategic planning to meet increasing sustainability challenges in growing, harvesting and selling timber.

Talking Timber provided a great opportunity for forest owners with timber to sell to hear about the challenges and opportunities of sustainable timber production, sawmillers requirements in terms of view harvested logs and to talk business with a wide range of forest industry service providers.

John Ryan, Forest Manager at Murray Timber provided a fascinating insight into timber buying and log quality requirements from the perspective of a large commercial sawmill during the outdoor log and timber products display and encouraged active forest management with a particular emphasis on thinning.

In the mini conference session addressing the topic “Planning towards Sustainable Timber Production” including a Question & Answer session, speakers from Teagasc and DAFM outlined the management planning and regulatory requirements contributing towards sustainable timber production.

Roscommon forest owner Ronan O’Conghaile provided a muchappreciated personal insight of his experience of planting and managing forests for over 25 years, the important lessons learnt and advice that forestry is very rewarding but be aware of current time and cost challenges.

Des Phelan for Forest Industry Transport Group addressed the challenges and opportunities for the development of sustainable transport of timber in the context of nations climate targets, transport strategies, environmental impact, Coillte sustainable transport programme and the potential for technological solutions.

Talking Timber was closed by Teagasc Director Prof.Frank O’Mara who thanked those attending and strongly encouraged forest owners to actively manage their forests sustainably to achieve the best economic, social and environmental outcomes.

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Teagasc Forestry Services

Research

Advice

Training

Our research covers many aspects of the life cycle of a forest from seedling to sawdust. Research is carried out in Teagasc research centres in state-of-the-art laboratories and growing facilities and on privately owned farm forests throughout Ireland.

Teagasc provides objective and independent advisory services to all private landowners on forestry related matters.

Teagasc forestry advisors provide free, independent and objective advice on any technical or financial aspect regarding forestry.

Teagasc offers a wide range of QQI certified practical courses.

Topics can include formative shaping of broadleaves and timber measurement. A forestry qualification from Teagasc enables students to develop wide ranging and interesting careers.

For more information: Visit www.teagasc.ie/forestry Follow @teagascforestry on social media

News

Strong Interest In Teagasc Spring Forest Walks

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xploring Forest Types was the theme of a nationwide series of Spring forest walks held in April by Teagasc in association with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to promote planting under the much anticipated new Forestry Programme 2023-2027.

Almost 200 landowners attended the eight walks on private forests kindly offered by their owners and registered foresters. The walks explored the opportunities to plant new forests proposed in the forest creation element of the programme which encompasses 12 forest type options with significantly increased afforestation grants and annual premiums for farmers and landowners.

At each walk, foresters from Teagasc, DAFM and host foresters explained and provided a flavour of the different forest type options in terms of their objectives, design, management, environmental and practical characteristics ranging from Native Forests (FT1) and Agroforestry (FT8) to Mixed high forests (FT11 and 12).

People plant forests for a host of very different reasons and considerations. But whatever forest type you would like to plant, it was emphasised that all new forests require active management to become well established and begin the journey to maximising their potential. If a young forest is not well looked after, the achievement of your objectives – economic, environmental, social and practical risks being compromised.

The forest walks tried to provide helpful guidance to farmers and landowners considering planting a new forest, and those who have already planted, on the practicalities of planting and establishment, later management and financial supports in the proposed Forestry Programme 2023-2027.

Importantly for farmers the information provided also addressed the interaction between planting and farming schemes.

The take home message was - Planting trees and forests is more important than ever and there is a forest type to suit everyone.

Liam Kelly, Teagasc discusses planting options at the Mullingar Spring walk

New Forest Technologists Join Teagasc

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Based in Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Jo can be contacted at: Email Jo.Ruane@teagasc.ie and Telephone +353 (0)18059799 / +353 (0)877715081

Tomas is based in Teagasc Ashtown and can be contacted at: Email tomas.byrne@teagasc.ie and telephone +353(01)8059958

eagasc Forestry Development Department welcomes two new research staff.

Jo Ruane has been appointed Forest Project Management Technologist and is the project manager for the ADAPTForRes Research Project with responsibility for Knowledge Transfer and Exchange.

The project focuses on adaption, mitigation and protection strategies to increase resilience of Irish forests to address the impacts of climate change.

Jo has a background in Environmental Science with two Masters Degrees supporting her project management and data analysis skillset.

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omás Byrne is a Forestry Geneticist with a range of interests including forestry breeding, tree evolution and adaption, novel growth methods and seed orchard dynamics. In his new role of Forest Technologist in the Forestry Development Department Tomas will focus will be improving forestry tree species through tissue culturing, seed orchard improvements, breeding, disease resistance and climate resistance. Based in Teagasc Ashtown he will set up tissue culture of economically important tree species for the research and proliferation of tree species.

Tomás graduated from Maynooth University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Science and went onto complete his MSc by research in Crop Genetics in University College Dublin. He undertook a PhD in Forestry Genetics in Trinity College Dublin funded by Teagasc Walsh Scholarship. His research focused on the evolution and adaption of Sitka spruce and was part of the GenESIS project.

PONSSE LAUNCHED A UNIQUE TECHNOLOGY CONCEPT Ponsse’s fundamental purpose of developing sustainable solutions for the benefit of our customers and the environment is more topical today than ever before. Recognizing that technologies drive all change, we have utilized new digital solutions in our new machines in a more versatile way We aim to offer more comprehensive solutions that are able to help our customers ensure both the productivity of their work and fulfilment of their responsibility targets even better than before. Together we can continue discovering new ways to develop the world to a better direction.

The EV1 is a concept forwarder equipped with fully electric drive, utilizing the advanced Epec Flow electrification system. The noise and exhaust levels have been minimized, without having to make any sacrifices in productivity. This concept enables the testing of new technologies in a real operating environment. Thus, it naturally supports the experimental culture that Ponsse is known for.

This technology concept enables, for the first time in the history of forest machines, measuring the trees that are left in the forest in addition to the trees that are harvested.

The objective is to recognize the trees around the harvester as well as their precise position. Using the gathered data, an assistant has been developed to guide the driver in finding the right thinning density.

For more information on the EV1 please contact your local sales team.

Ponsse Ireland Sales: +353 851 514 174

A loggers best friend www.ponsse.com

News

Teagasc Forestry Busy At Major Events

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eagasc foresters and forestry researchers have been busy promoting forestry and the new Forestry Programme at a range of national events across the country including several Teagasc and Teagasc supported farming events.

Audiences in the thousands have been reached by our presence at national events including Sheep 2023 in Gurteen College, Tillage 2023 in Oak Park, Carlow, Moorepark 2023 - Teagasc’ main annual Dairy Research Expo, the Energy and Farm Diversification Show and, for the second year, at Bloom in the Phoenix Park.

More recently Teagasc anchored the Forestry Village at the Tullamore Show and hosted an outdoor forestry stand at the National Ploughing Championships in Laois.

With our presence at all of these events, Teagasc foresters and researchers were busy discussing many queries on all aspects of forestry including the new forestry programme and forest management.

In addition to these major events Teagasc forestry staff including Forestry Liaison Officer Paul Butler have attended many local agricultural shows and science fairs.

We are looking forward to meeting farmers and landowners at nationwide Forestry Information Meetings on the new Afforestation Scheme from 9th to 19th October. See www.teagasc.ie/forestry for more information.

Paul Butler Teagasc Forestry Liaison Officer in action at Bloom 2023

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ARBORIST APPRENTICESHIP Do you enjoy working outside and learning about our natural environment? Arborist Apprenticeship may suit you!

What is Arboriculture?

Arboriculture is the cultivation and management of trees, shrubs and other woody perennial plants to provide wide ranging economic, ecological, environmental and social benefits to society.

What does an Arborist do?

In addition to practical management tasks such as tree surgery or tree removal, arborists provide professional advice and guidance on tree and woodland management 4 to public and private landowners.

Arborist Apprenticeship • A 2 year programme with an Education Provider and Employer • Apprentices are paid an allowance by their employer for the duration of the programme.

• Upon successful completion, apprentices will be awarded a Level 6 Advance Certificate in Arboriculture and will be termed Arborists.

Location: Petersburg Outdoor Education 8, Training Centre, Galway Certification Level 6 Advance Certified in Arboriculture For more details email arbapprenticeship@gretb.ie or call 091 706283

Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) Petersburg Outdoor Education and Training Centre, Clonbur, Co. Galway, F12 X589 Tel: 091706283 arbapprenticeship@gretb.ie

Strategy

Ireland’s Forest Strategy and Forest Strategy Implementation Plan

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hrough comprehensive public consultation and engagement with stakeholders, a Shared National Vision for trees, woods and forests in Ireland was established for the first time. This collaborative approach in turn helped to shape and develop a new Forest Strategy for Ireland to 2030, which underpins the new Forestry Programme for the period of 2023-2027.

The Strategy’s overarching objectives are rooted in the three pillars of sustainability - People, Planet and Prosperity. These pillars guide the strategic objectives of this Strategy and aim to make this ambitious shared national vision a reality. The Forest Strategy sets out a clear set of objectives, values and goals for the role of trees and forests in Ireland between now and 2030. A Forest Strategy Implementation Plan (FSIP) was also developed in parallel, to facilitate the initial steps in the implementation of this Forest Strategy.

The Forest Strategy Implementation Plan contains the Forestry Programme 2023-2027, which will be the main implementation vehicle for the Forest Strategy in the immediate to short term. It also contains a detailed Forest Action Plan, which includes the actions for each of the Enablers and Value Area Goals of the Forest Strategy.

Ireland’s Forest Strategy Implementation Plan sets out how Ireland’s ambitions to expand its forests and to increase its role in helping address the climate and biodiversity objectives at both National and EU level can be realised. The EU Forest Strategy identifies the key principles needed to support the socio-economic functions of forests for thriving rural areas and boosting forest-based bioeconomy within sustainability boundaries. It will also protect, restore, and enlarge the EU’s forests to combat climate change, reverse biodiversity loss and ensure resilient and multifunctional forest ecosystems. Ireland’s Forest Strategy is in alignment with these principles and as such the Forestry Strategy Implementation Plan has been designed with these in mind.

The Forest Strategy and Implementation Plan along with all Environmental Assessment Reports are available on the Department’s

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website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/forestry-policy-andstrategy/ STATE AID APPROVAL AND LAUNCH OF NEW FORESTRY PROGRAMME 2023 – 2027 The Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027 contains a series of eight different interventions: 1. Forest Creation 2. Agroforestry 3. Infrastructure and Technology investments 4. Sustainable Forest Management 5. Developing skills and empowering the Forest Sector for Sustainable Forest Management 6. Open Forests: Social, Cultural and Heritage Forests 7. Climate Resilient Reforestation 8. Reconstitution The schemes offered then flow from each of these interventions and aim to support landowners to plant and manage forests in a manner that will provide benefits for the environment, preserve landscapes, provide social amenities whilst also supporting local economies.

A package of €1.318 billion has been secured to support this biggest and best funded Forestry Programme to date in Ireland. This will provide unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income and help to meet national climate and biodiversity objectives. The target of the programme is to plant 8,000 hectares of new diverse, multifunctional and climate resilient forests per year. Irelands ambitious long term strategy is to increase our national forest estate to 18% cover from a present level of 11.6%.

Following receipt of State Aid approval from the European Commission, the Government approved the new €1.3 billion Forestry Programme, together with other non-Programme actions under the

Strategy

Forest Strategy Implementation Plan. This is a significant milestone for forestry that will allow for the expansion, protection and development of Ireland’s forests and forestry sector.

The new Afforestation Scheme for the period 2023-2027 opened for applications in conjunction with Government approval. This afforestation scheme offers a broad range of planting options, with rates up to 46%-66% higher than those contained within the previous Forestry Programme. The premium period has also been extended from 15 to 20 years for farmers.

The afforestation scheme contains twelve diverse forest types, providing ample choice for farmers and other landowners to plant according to their needs. Within this scheme, the Department covers 100% of the costs to establish the forest, and all payments and earnings are income tax free.

Planting a mix of trees such as oak, birch and holly for example, will guarantee more than €1,100/ha in annual payments for 20 years when established successfully. Similarly, a well-managed mixed high forest of mainly spruce with broadleaves delivers an annual payment of €746 for 20 years, as well as providing an income from harvested wood when the forest matures.

Alternatively, livestock can be kept on the land with an agroforestry scheme that features €975/ha payments for 10 years. Top ups are also available for certain forest types, e.g. the Woodland Environmental Fund includes a one off payment of €1,000/ha once planting is complete.

Planting a forest does not affect entitlements under CAP and applicants may continue to claim the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Scheme on forested land, subject to the terms and conditions of the BISS Scheme.

FENCING RATES

LIST OF NEW AFFORESTATION RATES FOR NEW FORESTRY PROGRAMME 2023-2027

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Climate Change

Going Negative Can Be Positive – Forests, Bioenergy And Removing Carbon Dioxide From The Atmosphere

By Eugene Hendrick FOREST EXPANSION OVER 100 PLANTING SEASONS – AN UNHERALDED ACHIEVEMENT What recent trends may tend to cloud, and something that has not been sufficiently highlighted in recent commemorations, is the achievement of a tenfold increase in forest area over 100 planting seasons since the foundation of the state and up to 2021.

The cumulative area afforested comes close to 700,000 ha, the great majority of which remains in forest, and forms by far the largest proportion of the forest estate today. A substantial proportion is now in a second rotation and some in a third. This reflects the implantation of the fundamental principle of sustaining forest resources.

Sitka spruce forest in the Slive Blooms, Co Offaly. Because of its rapid growth Sitka is a proven winner in carbon sequestration. Over their first rotation forests such as shown here remove many thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it as cellulose and other organic compounds in above- and below-ground biomass, in litter and in soil carbon pools, and in the wood products manufactured from thinnings.

Extending the rotation length of forests to sizes shown here or even slightly below can significantly raises the national level of carbon removals, as well as giving owners a far better return from timber sales than felling earlier (photo Teagasc).

Cumulative afforestation over 100 planting seasons 1922-2021 (data source Forest Service).

As all are aware, recent years have seen a marked drop-off in afforestation, which is of concern and needs to be reversed, in order to provide much needed wood supplies, and other ecosystems services such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity conservation and expansion.

A variety of reasons have been put forward for the afforestation decline, but the nature of supports for beef farming systems, which are in the main uneconomic, on lands highly suitable for growing trees is probably the main fundamental reason, and one that has been found to be extremely difficult to address for a whole number of social and cultural reasons. The challenge is to convince farmers and landowners to afforest a part of their holding to create a sustainable forest enterprise as a part of a viable whole farm system. Such systems are commonplace across many counties and regions including southern Germany and Austria.

FOREST CARBON AND HOW IT IS ACCOUNTED At the outset of the policy to restore forest cover the main objectives were to secure an indigenous and secure supply of wood to support local industries and contribute to general social well-being. Svante Arrhenius in Sweden had in 1896 first predicted that changes in atmospheric 16

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carbon dioxide levels caused by combustion of fuels could substantially alter the surface temperature through the greenhouse effect, but the interlinkages between forests and climate change were not elaborated until well into the 20th century.

Be that as it may, we know enough today and have the evidence to show the great importance of maintaining and expanding forest cover, for climate change mitigation.

For a country like Ireland with a relatively low level of forest cover, afforestation, allied to forest management, is a proven cost effective and sustainable way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and tackle climate change. Evidence of effectiveness is seen in the carbon store that afforestation and forest management has built up over the past century – such that at the end of 2022 the carbon dioxide stock in living trees in Irish forests was close to 240 million tonnes. In the absence of the afforestation programme most of that carbon dioxide would still be in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

Ireland’s low level of forest cover is an outlier in the EU, and we are among a small number of member states with an emphasis on afforestation. Allied to these realities, and due to concerns about the way forest removals of carbon dioxide were counted in greenhouse gas inventories, and particularly the need to avoid windfall gains from existing forests, the EU was slow to embrace forestry and the wider land-based carbon inventory – so called land use, land-use change and forestry or LULUCF for short - within its emissions and removals accounting framework under the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR).

Climate Change

Total living tree carbon stock (million tonnes) by species group in Irish forests (Source National Forest Inventory, DAFM 2022). The data here is in million tonnes of carbon, which needs to be multiplied by 44/12 to convert to carbon dioxide.

After many years of negotiation and parallel developments at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, it was finally agreed that LULUCF would become a part of the EU’s greenhouse gas emission reduction target-setting processes under the ESR from 2021. The rules as eventually agreed took account of the additional effort required to establish new forest, and sought to only reward additional effort in the management of older forests.

Under the ESR and the current LULUCF regulation the contribution from afforestation to national effort (defined as new forest established since 1990) is estimated in the official greenhouse gas inventory compiled by the EPA as being a sink of 0.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide removals per year over the period 2021 to 2025.

This amount is called the LULUCF flexibility and is deducted from emissions when assessing the level of compliance with greenhouse gas reduction targets. The contribution is almost entirely due to afforestation post 1990 and up to the present day, net of harvest and deforestation emissions, and a small level of emissions at establishment.

Post 2025, the accounting rules change radically under an amended LULUCF regulation. Carbon dioxide emissions from agricultural soils will form the largest share part of the LULUCF profile, which when allied to the lower afforestation rates of recent years and the changing age structure of existing forests, will render the sector a significant source of emissions from 2026 onwards. According to the 2023 Teagasc marginal abatement cost analysis, LULUCF emissions, in the absence of additional abatement measures, could reach 10.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emission per year by 2030. Turing the sector around from a major source to a sink will require considerable resources over an extended period of time, in order to lessen emissions from agricultural soils, raise the afforestation level to 8.000 ha per year and beyond, as well as other measures such as forest management. Other ways to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere should also be considered as outlined below.

As far as the numbers go, under the new LULUCF regulation Ireland’s post 2025 target is to reduce LULUCF emissions by 0.6 M t CO2 /yr by 2030. As shown the underlying trends in agricultural soils and forestry are moving in the opposite direction, and so reducing emissions to that level by 2030 is likely to be a major challenge. What needs to be avoided however is adding more carbon to the atmosphere by failing to regenerate forest after felling. There is little point in incentivising afforestation if that forest is no longer there in 30, 50 or even 100 years’ time to continue to capture carbon, and maintain soil carbon stocks. Most forest carbon will cycle back to the atmosphere over time, hence the need to keep topping up the store to maintain the initial gain.

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS – DIFFICULT AND COSTLY TO REDUCE Across the wider economy, the EPA announced in July that Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions had decreased by 1.9 % (1.19 Mt CO2 eq) in 2022. The reduction was attributed to higher fuel prices, increased renewable energy, behavioural change and regulation. All sectors, apart from transport saw a reduction in emissions.

Overall, 2022 emissions were just short of 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent above Ireland’s 2022 target under the Effort Sharing Regulation, after taking into account the LULUCF and ETS flexibilities available. The total overshoot for 2021 and 2022 combined is about 1.4 million tonnes. For this year and into 2024 and 2025 the allowable emissions headspace decreases by about 2 million tonnes year-on-year. In other words, emissions in 2025 would have to be about 7.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent below 2022 levels to reach compliance with the overall 2021-2025 target. Given current macro-economic and population trends it is most unlikely that such a level of reductions will be achieved. This in turn will add to the compliance burden out to 2030.

In relation to the separate national carbon budgeting process, the EPA report concludes that the electricity sector, with 49% of the 2021-25 emissions budget already used, will require annual emissions reductions of 17% over 2023-25 to stay within budget. Annual emissions reductions ranging from 9% to 5% are required from 202325 in the industry, agriculture, residential buildings and transport sectors respectively. Given the level of emission reductions was 2% overall in 2022 compared with the previous year, there is a slim chance of staying within the current 5-year emissions budgets.

Greenhouse gas emission in kilotonnes of CO2 eq per year 1990 to 2022.

While the 2022 level was down on the previous year across all sectors, apart from transport, the difficulties in securing significant emission reductions in the two largest emitting sectors, agriculture and transport are apparent.

WHERE TO FROM HERE – CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVALS The conclusion thus far is that based on current trends Ireland is unlikely to reach its greenhouse gas emission targets and budgets to 2025 and indeed beyond to 2030, despite very considerable investment in decarbonisation measures under the climate action plans. This begs the question are there other measures that could make additional contributions to decarbonising the Irish economy and wider society.

This column has previously highlighted the potential contribution, of up to 1 million tonnes of fossil carbon dioxide displaced per year, that renewable forest-based biomass used in energy-efficient heat, and combined heat and power could provide with the right policy mix and supports.

But what scientists involved with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and policy analysts at the International Energy Agency have been saying in recent reports is that in order to constrain the average global temperature rise to the 1.5 to 2o C limits set out in the Paris Agreement, emission reductions and displacement will not be

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Climate Change enough: carbon dioxide removals, or so called negative emissions, will be increasingly needed, to draw down the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, in order to first reach the net zero emissions goal and then on to net negative emissions As to scale, scientists predict that up to 10 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year will need to be removed from the atmosphere by 2050, with increased removal capacity up to 20 billion tonnes per year by 2100.

CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL APPROACHES Carbon removal methods include nature-based strategies such as afforestation, additional forest management and agricultural soil management, as well as high-tech strategies like direct air capture and enhanced mineralization, and hybrid strategies including bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, and ocean-based carbon removal. Afforestation and forest management, and to a lesser extent agricultural soil management, are mature and well understood approaches with well developed reporting and accounting methodologies and procedures.

An emerging picture at the national level, based on the slow pace of emission reductions, and likelihood of the LULUCF sector being a net source of emissions for at least another decade, is one that net zero by 2050 requires that additional CDR approaches, such as BECCS be carefully considered in terms of cost and technical feasibility. We are not alone. Countries such as the US and others are facing similar challenges. As the US think-thank the World Resources Institute (WRI), which is researching the feasibility of a range of CDR approaches, points out: “Both natural and technological strategies exist to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it through various means, such as in trees and plants, soils, underground reservoirs, rocks, the ocean and even through products like concrete.

Different approaches to carbon removal come with different risks and co-benefits.”

A district heating plant in the town of Ry, Denmark running on woodfuel.

This plant is equipped with flue gas condensation as well as heat recovery from the condensate, resulting in an efficiency above 100%, expressed on the lower heating value of the fuel. The annual average moisture content of the fuel as delivered is 45%. Many of these plants in the range of 2-10 MW installed capacity could be established in towns and cities in Ireland running solely on woodfuel or in combination with wate heat and/or lowrate electricity. Most of the plants in Denmark are owned and run by local municipalities and communities, with a mandate to provide reliable, lowcost heat to their consumers, while ensuring sufficient capital is available for maintenance and upgrade/extension as necessary. These far-seeing investment and self-reliant local ownership models have helped to shield many communities across Europe from soaring energy bills experienced in 2022 and 2023, and show the benefits of a diversified range of heat and power supply sources.1 18

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The main categories of carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Biochar and biomass with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) are two technologies which merit serious consideration in the Irish context. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) from fossil fuel use is not a removal, as it merely prevents a part of fossil fuel emissions being added to the atmosphere.

Unlike the CDR methods shown here, it does nothing to remove existing fossil fuel emissions from the atmosphere. While use of CCS is growing in scale in the fossil fuel industry, it can only serve to prolong dependence on unsustainable sources of energy.

As regards BECCS which removes a high proportion of the carbon dioxide emitted from wood and other bioenergy combustion, the underlying concept is straightforward and involves transporting and storing the captured carbon dioxide in geological formations, such as former gas fields where it will remain for periods of hundreds to thousands of years, thereby functioning as a carbon removal process.

BECCS is being implemented in a number of pilot projects in Europe and North America and further afield. On of the largest projects is being carried out by Stockholm Exergie which provides most of the heat to the city through its biomass-fuelled combined heat and power plant, and plans to capture and store 800,000 t of carbon dioxide per year when the facility and the associated storage capacity is in place.

In Britain the DRAX biomass fuelled power plant, one of the largest globally, is also planning to invest in BECCS.

Comparison of carbon dioxide flows in conventional bioenergy (top), and in bioenergy (bottom) with carton capture and storage (image Stockholm Exrgi).

Image from Wood as a Fuel by Pieter D Kofman and Eugene Hendrick. The book can be ordered from arrowmanagement.ie/product/wood-as-a-fuel/ 1

Climate Change

BECCS and CCS potential has also been examined in Ireland as part of the SEAI national heat study process, and in a number of other reports. The SEAI report states that energy system decarbonisation scenarios aligned with Ireland’s objectives suggest that CCS and greenhouse gas removal technologies, such as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), will need to be deployed. It identifies a potential of up to 9 million tonnes of removals from BECCS by 2050, at costs of up to €180/t CO2 stored.

What the SEAI study does not explore is the financial and technical feasibility of new build district heating plants, based on combined heat and power or heat only installations, allied to BECCS. The national roundwood forecast carried out by COFORD and more recent work shows the potential to fuel a number of plants at scales in excess of 5 MW installed capacity using indigenous wood supplies. These could be clustered in suitable locations to facilitate collections and shipping of captured CO2 .

These possibilities should be actively explored by SEAI. CONCLUSION Some concluding considerations as to the advisability of not becoming over dependent on a narrow range of approaches come from the WRI when addressing US policy on CDR options. “Pursuing an all-of-the-above [where they list the potential approaches] carbon removal portfolio in the United States would provide the most cumulative carbon removal at the lowest risk. It creates the most options for achieving the 2 billion tonnes CO2 removal/yr target by 2050, should any single pathway fail to realize its expected potential.” Yes that 2 billion tonnes/yr number is correct – elsewhere the target is given a range of 1-1.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide/yr. It is the equivalent to removing the emissions from 220 to 400 million cars per year (at about 5 tonnes of carbon dioxide/car/yr). The level of ambition seems enormous, but drilling down it includes removals from US forests and harvested wood products So the target becomes more achievable, and as WRI says, “Restoring trees to the landscape through reforestation, restocking degraded forests and agroforestry systems is the single largest ‘shovel-ready’ opportunity for carbon removal at scale in the United States”. The same applies here. But trees take time to sequester carbon and as we have seen the LULUCF sector in Ireland as a whole is a major source of emissions, and in all probability it will be mid-2030s at the earliest before a substantial level of net removals will arise across the full gamut land uses, although today is the day to start the turnaround. So that is why BECCS, and biochar and other novel removal technologies need to be seriously considered if we are to reach net zero by 2050.

Mark Mobile: 086 2261901 Office Number Cora: 0863643858

Forestry&Energy

19

APF

The APF Show Is Back!

The UK’s largest forestry, woodland, arboricultural, fencing, trees and timber show, APF 2024, will take place once again at Ragley Estate, Alcester, Warwickshire on the 19/20/21st September 2024.

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PF 2022 was a huge success with 320 exhibitors and over 23000 trade visitors attending over the three days.

Exhibitors reported excellent business throughout. Stihl commented ‘We had an absolutely amazing show’ and Husqvarna agreed saying ‘it was the busiest APF we can remember’ APF 2024 will look to build on that success. Already over 50% of last years exhibitors have re-booked their sites, with many wanting a larger area. The repeat bookings are a testament to the shows reputation for being the place to sell into the forestry and arboricultural industries. Over 95% of all visitors are forestry or arb professionals so exhibitors have a very targeted audience. The APF show was originally set up to serve the trade and has always had that focus. We very much welcome the public to the event to learn about trees and timber but we will never lose sight of the core trade business. That way exhibitors know that almost everyone coming past their stand is a potential customer. We have always been keen to attract not just the large, multi-national companies but smaller companies with great new ideas and products. Our stand prices are very competitive when compared to agricultural shows and other trade events. Stands at the event start 20

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at just £920.

There will be around £80 million of machinery and equipment on show, much of it shown working under realistic conditions. There will be the opportunity to try out the latest saws and climbing kit and talk to experts about training.

In recent shows we have looked to embrace closely allied industries such as fencing. APF 2024 will see an enlarged Fencing Village dedicated to all things fencing. Visitors will be able to see all the very latest tools, equipment, machinery and materials, much of them shown working. We will host two UK championships on the Thursday and Friday of the event, sponsored by McVeigh Parker. One for quick fencing using metal posts and other for traditional wooden fencing.

The championships were extremely popular in 2022 so we have expanded the fencing arena to allow more two man teams to compete.

Our very popular world poleclimbing championships, sponsored

by Husqvarna, and the European chainsaw carving championships sponsored by A W Jenkinson and Tilhill return. The woodland crafts area, probably the largest display of traditional woodland crafts anywhere in the UK, will be another major draw for visitors. Many of

APF the crafts on show are very rarely seen and it is vital that these skills are kept alive. You can see everything from coracles to clogs to charcoal making. Talk to the crafts people and find out how you can learn a new skill. The British horse loggers will be giving daily demonstrations and the opportunity to try your hand at handling a timber horse.

For the arborist we will have a high quality tree climbing competition with some excellent prizes on offer. If you have not competed before then there will be classes for all standards of climbers from novice to elite. Experts will be on hand to give advice on sport climbing and how you can get involved.

We will welcome the return of the UK Lumberjacks to APF 2024. We will stage the UK championships with five disciplines including the two board climb and the underhand chop using axes and crosscut saws in a trial of skill and raw power. The souped up ‘hot’ saws will make their very noisy presence known!

For the first time since we staged the world championships in 2002 the UK Loggers will be back with us. This is another 5 discipline event but for chainsaw operators including felling, precision crosscutting, limbing and the bar and chain change. If you think you can change the bar and chain on your saw in under 9 seconds then perhaps you should think about competing! Don’t believe it can be done? Look for it on You Tube.

There is far too much to do in one day so come for two or all three days. We have a big campsite on site. Advance tickets and camping can be booked online via our website. Ragley Estate is only 40km from Birmingham airport and 320 Km from Fishguard.

Full details of the show, a list of booked exhibitors and details of the competitions can be found on our website www.apfexhibition. co.uk If you would like to book a site then forms are available in the Exhibitor section of the website or contact the Exhibition Secretary Ian Millward on info@apfexhibition.co.uk or Tel: +44 1428 723545.

mass

Elphin, Co. Roscommon Advantages of brash recovery

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Site is fully cleared before replanting Reforestation costs are significantly lowered Reducing the spread of weevil 100% of your land utilised

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086 385 6051 Forestry&Energy

21

Fuel

Biomass As a Fuel – The Opportunity Through The Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) Scheme

SETTING THE SCENE The EU and Ireland have set ambitious targets for reducing fossil fuel use by 2030, and with net zero emissions targets by mid-century. The climate crisis sets a clear precedent for dramatic change over the coming decades and the targets set are seen as a minimum requirement to prevent unprecedented global climate upheaval. Heating, electricity, and transport is going to have to significantly reduce reliance on oil and gas, while essentially eliminating coal and peat as fuel sources. It is increasingly certain that forestry will be a provider of construction materials and the use of forest by-products and residues to produce quality indigenous wood fuels will play a significant role in displacing imported fossil fuels.

POLICY CONTEXT FOR WOOD FUELS Globally, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), bioenergy is the largest source of renewable energy at 55%. In Ireland, renewable energy policy and supports are strongly focused on an electrification agenda. The strong emphasis is on heat pumps as a heat decarbonisation technology solution and on electric vehicle in transport. There is no doubt that electrification has a significant role to play in a decarbonised energy system, however its very clear that electrification cannot do it all and a broader policy and fuel focus is required. This includes recognition for the role solid biomass, and bioenergy more broadly, can play in achieving emission reduction and decarbonisation target.

THE WOOD FUEL QUALITY ASSURANCE (WFQA) SCHEME Ireland has its own wood fuel quality scheme called the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance scheme (WFQA). This scheme is managed and administered by the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA), which is the representative body for the bioenergy industry on the island of Ireland.

Support for promotion of the WFQA and wood fuel sector is provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine. All wood fuels certified must be produced sustainably in line with the latest EU 22

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sustainability requirements. The WFQA has now up to 70 certified supplier members across Ireland producing firewood, woodchip, wood pellets and wood briquettes. Fuel Supplies are certified to produce firewood to the European EN/ISO 17225 fuel quality regulations.

WFQA certification of wood fuel is a requirement for the Sustainable Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH). Certification is also required for the recently introduced solid fuels regulation.

WOOD FUEL PRODUCTION COMPLEMENTS THE CONSTRUCTION TIMBER PRODUCTION SECTOR Over the last 30 years, Ireland has invested heavily in forestry. This estate is a vital resource to ensure we can provide sustainable building materials for the construction sector into the future. Timber operations to produce lumber for construction also produces large quantities of byproducts and residues through sustainable forest management activities. including pulpwood, brash, bark, wood chip and sawdust. This material provides excellent and sustainable firewood, woodchip, wood pellets and wood briquettes for the energy market. The highest value use of wood is as a construction material, whether it’s used for sawn timber, panel boards or other uses.

SUPPORT SCHEME FOR RENEWABLE HEAT (SSRH) SEAI administers the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) to support businesses seeking to decarbonise their heating with wood fuels. The SSRH provides a strong financial incentive over a 15-year period to convert fossil fuel boilers to wood chip and wood pellet boilers. The scheme is open to all non-domestic heat uses including hotels, leisure centres, commercial buildings, intensive agriculture buildings (pig, poultry, and horticulture) manufacturing and food processing to name but a few.

TACKLING THE ISSUES - PARTICULATE EMISSIONS The predominant issues arising when using biomass as a fuel is the

Fuel

combustion emission of particulates. Particulate emissions from biomass use are being tackled by the biomass heating sector through the work of IrBEA. Combustion of most fuels produce particulates (smoke).

Fuel quality and correct boiler design, installation and maintenance are critical components to control these emissions. Calls were made for many years by Irish suppliers of wood fuels in the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance scheme, through the Irish Bioenergy Association, to set statutory limits on the moisture content of firewood offered for sale.

Research proves that lower moisture content wood fuels significantly reduce particulate emissions from domestic stoves while increasing efficiency. The recently introduced solid fuels regulation introduce these statutory limits. Industrial woodchip and wood pellet boilers are designed to limit emissions through proper combustion control and by having particulate filters installed. Dry fuel burns better, more efficiently and produces far less smoke.

WOOD FUEL SUSTAINABILITY Sustainability of the wood fuel supply chain is very important. Supply of biomass in Ireland has little or no sustainability issues, our felling licence system offers good documented sustainable management. None the less the new EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) sets out clear sustainability requirements for a fuel to be considered renewable, including greenhouse gas reduction of 80% and protection of sensitive ecosystems. Irish material is well poised to meet the requirements of RED II and RED III in the future. This is not considered to be a major challenge for indigenous material. Biomass as a fuel is one of the best alternatives to fossil fuels when it comes to reducing carbon, providing energy on demand, and providing stimulus and jobs to the local economy.

MARKETS – MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF A DECARBONISED ECONOMY Biomass fuels can readily meet the challenges of domestic, commercial, and industrial energy demands, predominantly for heat. Industrial heat use of biomass is very familiar to the sawmilling sector, with many sawmills incorporating large-scale biomass heating systems to dry lumber, sawdust, and wood pellet products. The sector is also very familiar with biomass CHP systems utilised to produce onsite

electricity as well as providing large scale heat for onsite use. Large demand and higher temperature heat users such as food processing and the pharmaceutical sector will be difficult to decarbonise without the use of biomass.

BIOMASS OPPORTUNITY AT A DOMESTIC LEVEL The domestic sector has been re-identified as a significant market, but with no policy support from government for biomass. Firewood stoves have become increasingly popular in recent years and the sale of firewood has increased in line with this. Also significant is the large volume of wood pellet stove systems that are being installed, with a very noticeable increase in demand for bagged pellets to cater for this market. Government targets to retrofit 600,000 homes with heat pumps to meet their 2030 targets are seen by most as unrealistic, and with industry estimates of an average €60,000 cost to retrofit each home, other solutions must be considered. The potential to use domestic pellet systems and log systems suited to the modern home is a real alternative to meeting the climate challenges in a cost-effective manner.

CONCLUSION Biomass and wood fuel production supports indigenous jobs and local supply chains through the provision of quality, dry, certified, and renewable fuels. Growing and developing the wood fuel sector have significant potential in Ireland. The importance of certified and quality wood fuels will be crucial for that potential to be realised. The Irish Bioenergy Association (www.irbea.org) through its lobbying and advocacy activities will continue to work on behalf of members to develop the Irish bioenergy sector. The Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) Scheme is a key enabler for those who produce wood fuel and want to become a certified supplier or for new or existing consumers of wood fuel who want to find a local certified WFQA supplier. Full details are available on www.wfqa.org Seán Finan B.E. C.Eng MIEI Irish Bioenergy Association CEO seanfinan@irbea.org

Map of Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme Suppliers WOODCHIP FIREWOOD WOOD BRIQUETTES

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23

Plant Sales

McHale Plant Sales Launches Pre-Owned Equipment Auction Site

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nderlining the demand that exists across the world for quality, pre-owned plant and equipment sold through established and trusted source, Komatsu, Metso, Prinoth and Merlo distributor, McHale Plant Sales is bringing their legendary used equipment market online with the opening of a dedicated website focused entirely on used equipment sales.

Accessible at www.mchaleauctions.com, the site builds on the company’s long-running b2b used sales market – which, over decades, has served buyers in all continents – the new McHale online auction site gives users immediate on-screen access to a world-wide theatre of used machinery buyers, a large number of whom will be familiar with the reliability that McHale Plant Sales delivers.

Described as a ‘must visit site’ for sellers upgrading their fleets, and for buyers seeking quality used equipment from a reliable source, the inventory of equipment sold through the site will include the full catalogue construction equipment, extending to include quarrying and aggregates, forestry, farming and agriculture, waste processing, telehandlers and other equipment lines.

Commenting, McHale Plant Sales director, Denis McGrath – under whose oversight the process operates – said: “as main distributor of leading international brands, much of previously owned units offered for sale are likely to have been originally supplied by us as new machines to customers – many of whom are large contractors whose policy is to replace key equipment well before its sell-by date”.

“Experienced in servicing international buyers – with items inspected by us and all back-office functions like transportation and documentation provided – buyers can be assured that the standards we have developed and nurtured over decades will continue to apply,” he added.

N. BLAIR ENGINEERING LTD. We manufacture the Firemaster range of waste wood burners and the Hotbox wood kiln. This kiln will dry 12m3 per batch in approx 48 hours. It is fueled from off cuts from the processor, pallets etc. Power requirement is a domestic 13amp socket with a draw of 500 watts. This Kiln will run @ 70/80 degrees Celsius all day with approx 1/2m3 of waste wood for fuel. Can be set up on concrete blocks and drying in 1 hour.

086 8055 816 | nblaireng@gmail.com | www.nblairengineering.com

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Forestry&Energy

New Opportunity for Forest Owners Have you, or are you about to receive your final premium payment from the Forest Service?

If so, why not unlock the Future Value of your Forest?

NewGen Forestry Limited is currently offering the perfect solution to landowners looking for a hassle-free, annual income from their forest.

If your forest is 15 years or older, NewGen is offering you the option of selling the harvesting rights to your forest. In return NewGen will offer you an attractive upfront payment plus an annuity payment for up to 20 years. This will provide you with a new and innovative income stream while you, the forest owner, retain 100% ownership of your land. NewGen will also provide a reforestation payment to help replant your forest once felled.

Contact your NewGen Forester - John O’Reilly john@newgenforestry.ie 087 408 4998

www.newgenforestry.ie

Sustainability

Worrell Harvesting Moving Onwards and Upwards Sustainably Kenneth Worrell explains their unique approach to maximizing returns from forests using sustainable methods.

“Certification takes the risk away from the grower, who has the peace of mind of knowing that his timber will be harvested correctly.”

HISTORY Worrell Harvesting / Worrell Timber Group (WTG) have been growing their business and gaining experience, undertaking largescale timber harvesting projects and programmes in Ireland and across Europe in France, Germany and the UK. A trusted and respected name amongst many of the largest sawmills across Ireland and the UK, a standout defining characteristic of Worrell Harvesting is that everything they do is geared towards the grower and the forest.

The Worrell team; who thrive on getting owners the maximum yield from their investment in timber has unrivalled experience in accessing, acquiring, harvesting and personally managing forestry portfolios for private and corporate clients.

They have firmly established themselves as the go-to, complete forestry company by offering forest owners the most cost-efficient solutions to achieve significant increases in revenue whilst also maximising the long-term development of their timber infrastructure.

BIOMASS CERTIFICATION The Worrell way is the greener way and sustainability is key across all company operations. At the forefront of the circular economy, Worrell’s state-of-the-art, industry-leading biomass harvesting system is making a significant contribution to Ireland’s pressing climate challenges.

Biomass harvesting has become a big part of the business and the work Worrell carry out in the forest has to be conducted to a very high standard to receive that certification,” Kenneth notes. “Certification 26

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takes the risk away from the grower, who has the peace of mind of knowing that his timber will be harvested correctly. It gives him confidence and raises standards across the board from every point of view.

In September 2023 Worrell Harvesting became the first company in Ireland to be certified as a woodchip / biomass supplier. This certificate confirms that all regulations and essential requirements regarding the sustainability criteria in the production of biomass fuels are achieved.

MARKET LEADER Priding themselves on their status as proven market leaders, Worrell’s celebrated biomass harvesting system represents one of the most important sustainable solutions currently available to the Irish timber industry and the economy as a whole.

The advantages of Worrell’s biomass harvesting system are myriad.

As well as growers receiving cash for their brash and therefore increased revenue, the grower benefits from better and more efficient forest management. The value and volume of trees in the next stock is increased and the risk of wind blow is also reduced.

“It’s not just about energy costs, but energy security. Biomass can be used to generate green, carbon-neutral heat and electricity. People are looking at biomass now in terms of carbon tax and carbon credits.

If timber is harvested in the right way there are credits with that. If you are getting biomass from a certified supplier, then you can avail of carbon credits, if registered with the EU emission trading scheme..

“The environment / sustainability issue has changed everything and the

The WFQA is managed and administered by the Irish Bioenergy Associa�on

Cer�fying Firewood, Wood Chip, Wood Pellets & Wood Brique�es Are you a Wood Fuel supplier or consumer?

Ensure quality wood fuels through the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance scheme.

Contact: www.wfqa.org |

@WoodFuelQA | noelgavigan@irbea.org

WFQA cer�fica�on allows compliance with requirements of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) and the new Solid Fuels Regula�on

To become a member of the Irish Bioenergy Associa�on (IrBEA) check out www.irbea.org |@irishbioenergy | seanfinan@irbea.org

Sustainability benefits of biomass harvesting to the local economy are huge,” Kenneth continues. “Why would we pay the Russians for gas to generate energy if we can do it ourselves?”

Supplying logs to sawmills and woodchip to customers with biomass boilers, Worrell Harvesting is the premier timber harvesting, haulage and woodchip supplier in Ireland, offering the best price to growers for their timber and always providing prompt payment alongside a professional approach. All timber removal is 100% traceable through their unique in-house timber management system, logwatch, again giving the grower full transparency and security.

To achieve the maximum return and value from all types of forestry plantation, Worrell’s modern fleet of forestry harvesters and forwarders - manned by experienced, trained and NTPC certified drivers are equipped with the latest software to enable the trees presented to be critically accessed. As Worrell Harvesting is a one-stop shop and operates its own haulage division to haul timber and biomass, the swift and professional removal of timber and biomass on secure, tracked trucks is a given.

LOG WATCH Worrell Harvesting’s game-changing timber security system is called Log-Watch. As timber traceability and security is paramount to Worrell Harvesting, they strive to offer all their timber suppliers a live system to trace every load from the forest. Thus, they designed their own software package offering full visibility of timber leaving the forest.

Using the LogWatch system, before a truck is loaded in the forest, a notification will be sent to the timber supplier. Once the load is delivered, the weight is updated. Suppliers can log in any time to the portal to receive live reports, which are also available in a hard copy if required.

Logwatch ensures that the grower gets paid for all timber as it is tracked end to end through the system” Going forward as a nation, is it feasible that we can continue to

“Logwatch ensures that the grower gets paid for all timber as it is tracked end to end through the system”

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harvest more and more timber? “More timber definitely needs to be planted and it needs to be easier for a grower to get his licence, otherwise he will be discouraged from planting trees,” says Kenneth.

“It’s obvious that we need to plant more trees in Ireland and that’s why the government is putting forward €1.3 billion euro in supports for afforestation.

“The bottom line is that if we want people to plant timber then we are going to have to take the obstacles out of their way so that when they go to harvest it, things are not so complicated. The felling licence was a big issue and there are many in the industry who would argue that it still is…

“The target is that the volume of timber being grown in Ireland will double by 2030 and we want to be part of that but things are still being held up by the felling licences. Forest owners must wait too long to get their licence. The government would say there are a lot being issued but the industry would contend that they aren’t coming quickly enough.”

Between harvesting and haulage, Worrell Harvesting – a model family business delivering the all-important personal touch, employ a team of 25, providing a complete forestry / timber management service tailored towards total grower satisfaction.

CONTROL “The grower is dealing with one company from stump to market,” Kenneth concludes. “Our sole focus is on providing a good service to the grower and maximising their profitability from their timber. That’s where our emphasis is and that’s why we have diversified into biomass and launched LogWatch, to provide full traceability which will result in security and confidence.

“We get a lot of very positive feed-back from growers. We look after them very well and you’d hope that would encourage them to stay with us and also to tell others about the services we provide.”

WORRELL HARVESTING LTD. Certified Biomass Suppliers RED 11 SGS/KZR/BIO/1014 The complete forestry company FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

Ken 087 2599372 – Office 045 529574

Do you want to sell your timber?

Worrell harvesting is specialising in timber from Pine & Spruce Clearfell and Thinning’s, Hardwood and Softwoods.

Fire damaged areas, roadside timber.

Contact us today for top log prices, reduced reforestation cost, extra revenue from BIOMASS HARVESTING, and a Demo of our LOG WATCH live digital Timber Trackability system

Woodland Grow

Woodland Grow - Living Soil: Seed to Woodland

Daniel Iddon, Founder and Director of Woodland Grow, explains how the forestry industry can close the carbon loop of timber production and put microbial life into forest residue and back into woodlands without the use of peat or synthetic fertilisers.

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Harvesting operation and Compost making - A. W. Jenkinson Forest Products 30

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21st century engineered compost to replicate peat, courtesy of the forestry industry, is feasible if we work together.

There is good reason why we love peat – its full of microbial life, energy, nutrition, with amazing water retention properties and above all it absorbs carbon following 12,000 years of maturity. How do we therefore replace this precious material without causing further pollution through the use of synthetic fertilisers or coir shipped from thousands of miles away in order to grow trees and replenish our soils as part of a regenerative woodland management strategy?

The SAF Woodland Management Living Soil project is developing a living compost that mimics the complex, rich and diverse woodland soils to increase soil and plant health for woodland creation success, disease suppression and woodland management. Healthy soils with a diverse microbiome with bacteria and fungi is the natural system that provides the resilience, nutrition, health and support for trees to grow and thrive compared to man-made synthetic fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides typically used today.

The engineered compost developed from the research, Woodland Grow, will bridge the nature gap and get cultivated trees nature ready so we can innovate past the sterile environment we have become accustomed to. With peat or peat free substrates, synthetic fertiliser (Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorous, NPK) and chemicals being the norm for so long it’s like we have forgotten how to work with nature.

Professional growing substrates for cells and agricultural soils for field grown stock lack fungal diversity, abundance or richness with the minimal populations typically dominated by one fungal genus family, which can allow for pathogens to flourish unchallenged without continual interventions.

The regenerative forestry approach adopted on the project is taking us back to a bygone age of woodland estate nurseries combined with 21st century technology and eDNA testing to understand the benefits and mimic woodland soils. We have developed a living compost that is richer, more diverse with a significant proportion of fungal species that the scientific community have yet to understand. Even is less known regarding function and the symbiotic relationships within groups and dynamic relationships between fungi and bacteria as the woodland matures.

This project is especially poignant as more planting will take place on poor agricultural land, earthworks along highways, second and third rotation plantations that require support to bring the soils back to healthy microbiomes, dominated in rich, diverse fungal populations and available nutrition. A tree has a symbiotic relationship with fungi to conduct nutrient cycling and synthetic fertilisers play no part in this process and are often transient going straight into the watercourse causing pollution and eutrophication from a build-up of Phosphorous.

The Living Soil project is funded by the Forestry Commission Tree Production Innovation Fund until March 25. The project is a collaboration across the UK, bringing together industrial partners, specialists and forestry professionals to close a vital gap in the UK forestry carbon cycle. The project brings together SAF Woodland Management and A.W. Jenkinson Forest Products, with collaboration from Euroforest Ireland.

The project under Phase 2 in Year 2 has grown approx. 70,000 trees with six different tree species across three nurseries throughout

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Woodland Grow

Nursery and Microscopy - Woodland Grow

UK, which includes Forestry England Delamere in England, Alba Trees in Scotland and Woodland Trees in Wales. So far we have observed a reduction in aphids and mildew on the living soil compared to tress grown in peat free substrates. In addition to the industry collaboration, the research has been boosted by fostering relationships with Bangor University and Forestry Research.

So how do we believe we can change the way in which we use silviculture techniques to manage woodlands?

A shift has taken place in recent years as a newfound fascination with the soil microbiome has emerged. This interest stems from the realisation of its immense potential to benefit trees. By cultivating with a robust and healthy soil microbiome, trees can harness an array of beneficial microbes to elevate their quality, vitality and resilience.

The living soil project is not solely research based; we are innovating and developing composting techniques at scale, growing trees in biodegradable paper pots, planting trials using soil amendments and planting trees with living soils to increase fungal populations and nutrition.

Fungi are delicate and without a living source of carbon, the populations of mycorrhizal fungi will diminish and especially on agricultural land will be minimal. The inoculant grade compost, Woodland Grow, can be used to increase soil fungi populations in combination with nutrients for the next generation of trees. An 32

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example use could be to offset what is a large carbon deposit following a clearfell and a fragile fungal network that would benefit from increased diversity that would otherwise be dominated by saprotrophic fungi on the decomposing carbon source.

Instead of using pesticide/herbicide/fungicide, how about we provide nature more resources and tools to support itself and boost soil health?

Contact Details Euroforest Timber Ireland Limited Arklow Business Enterprise Centre,​ Kilbride Industrial Business Estate, ​ Arklow, Co. Wicklow Tel: 0402 26500 Email: info@euroforestireland.ie Woodland Grow Limited Llwydrain Woodland, Mynachlog-ddu, Clynderwen, Pembrokeshire SA66 7SB Tel: 01239 611980 Email: info@woodlandgrow.co.uk www.woodlandgrow.co.uk

MASTER.indd 41

27/08/2019 14:10

For Sales & Service please contact John Deere Forestry Ltd. Ballyknocken, Glenealy, Co. Wicklow. Ireland Tel: +353 (0)404 44969 Sales Contact: Ed Power +353 (0)87 2542570

www.johndeere.ie/forestry

PUNCHING WAY ABOVE ITS WEIGHT The 574F is a 14-tonner that punches way above its weight with a tractive drive force of 195knm. Power reliability and fuel efficiency are the three key ingredients that make the 574F stand out. Sharing the Volvo Penta engines with our harvesters means high fuel efficiency, which in turn increases profitability. Powerful crane options from Epsilon and Cranab are also available. Driver comfort comes with a high-visibility cabin and cushion drive damping system. Increase your profits with the Ecolog 574.

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The EcoLog 688 powered by a tier V Volvo Penta engine is the most cost efficient harvester in its class on the market. With fuel consumption of 13-14 Litres per hour in the toughest of clearfell, on steep terrain, the EcoLog 688F cannot be beaten on fuel consumption. In todays market with the rising cost of fuel, the EcoLog 688F will save you €15,000-20,000 per year in fuel costs when compared to other harvesters in this class.

The innovative design further leads to increased efficiency and a reduction in running costs. The ergonomic design of the cab ensures operator comfort and ease of driving.

The Log Max head is a perfect match for the EcoLog 688F, it’s simplistic and clever design results in fewer hose breakages and considerably less waste of hydraulic oil compared to competitors.

Through exceptional ground-clearance, reliability, serviceability and a powerful harvester-crane you control your destiny to high productivity and a profitable total cost of ownership. Don’t burn your profits, call Liam on 086-607954 to discuss your new EcoLog today.

CALL LIAM BERGIN 086 607 9564

Training

QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Arboriculture The many benefits of becoming an Arborist for Arborist Apprentices and Employers.

By Jeremy Ryan National Coordinator

T

he national urban and rural non-forest tree resource provides wide ranging economic, social, environmental, and ecological benefits to Irish society. Although trade-offs can be required, these benefits are largely complementary. For example, the arboriculture sector creates employment, often in rural areas, supports recreation, tourism, and nature connection, and contributes to the preservation of historic and cultural landscapes. In addition, maintaining and expanding the national tree and woodland resource remains a key nested element of national and local development strategies to, among others, protect soils, mediate storm water surges, provide urban green infrastructure, conserve biodiversity, and sequester atmospheric carbon. Conversely, endemic and novel pathogens, insensitive urban and rural development and the slow but steady rise in the frequency of high wind weather events impact on the health and structural stability of these trees. Under such conditions, trees increasingly pose a threat to transport, communication and energy infrastructure, residential and commercial property, and human life.

The future sustainable management of this valuable and important resource is dependent upon on the continued availability of a large cohort of highly skilled and trained arborists.

Throughout the past three decades in the Republic of Ireland, the arboriculture knowledge and education system developed in an unplanned and uncoordinated manner. Consequently, arborists were required to follow a highly fragmented path, seeking learning opportunities via a diversity of international channels, instruments, and agencies. From the perspective of the new entrant professional, each was accessed independently, concerned different elements of the professional development process and were therefore poorly aligned and difficult to integrate. Most professional practitioners lacked formal education and qualifications or were failing to engage with the increasingly fragmented learning opportunities.

STRUCTURED GROWTH The Action Plan to expand apprenticeships and traineeships in Ireland 38

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provided the opportunity for different, non-craft sectors to develop apprenticeships which more accurately reflect professional occupations in the Republic of Ireland. Following initial contact through the Regional Skills Forum West, the QQI Level 6 National Certificate in Arboriculture was developed by industry stakeholders and state actors in partnership with Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) and deployed as an apprenticeship in 2021.

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION From the perspective of the learner the purpose of the National Apprenticeship in Arboriculture is to enable them to attain the standard of knowledge, skills and competencies required to achieve the QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Arboriculture. The programme provides the opportunity to achieve an internationally recognised qualification that is both academically robust and vocationally relevant.

It aims to develop and consolidate the apprentice’s understanding of both the theories and practice of arboriculture and enhance their employability. It further aims to equip the apprentice with the prerequisite knowledge and skills for progression to higher education or additional specialist vocational training. In so doing, the programme aims to support educational standardisation in this highly fragmented sector.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS To comply with the entry requirements the apprentice must be employed by an Approved Employer, be at least 18 years of age and hold a Level 4 Award (or equivalent) or 12 months relevant experience in related employment. In comparison with traditional education pathways a key distinguishing feature of apprenticeship is the opportunity to ‘earn as you learn’. Apprentices are paid an allowance by their employer for the duration of the programme. Gaining an internationally recognised qualification prepares graduates to progress not only in their career but to progress their learning with both further and higher education institutions. As such, the current learner

Training

cohort is composed of male and female school leavers, career changers and experienced persons who are already employed in the tree and woodland management sectors.

The normal or standard contract is outlined in the Code of Practice for Employment of Apprentices which is intended to inform both apprentices and employers of their duties and responsibilities relative to the programme. The approved employer is responsible for providing the apprentice with the workplace experience to develop the required skills, knowledge and competencies as stated in the training programme.

From the point of view of the employer, apprenticeship is a costeffective way to ‘grow your own talent’ as apprentices gain valuable experience and qualifications while working in the business. During the programme the apprentices progress through several different roles which both boosts productivity and provides an in-house career progression path for new recruits or existing employees. As apprentices become more proficient and skilled, they help increase productivity by undertaking a progressively diverse range of duties and tasks. This not only provides employers with an opportunity to develop their own future workforce, but it also improves staff retention, engagement, and efficiency for years ahead. Employers who engage in apprenticeship become members of a national network of approved employers who are encouraged to contribute to the future development of the programme.

As an element of the on-the-job phases a workplace mentor is assigned to the apprentice. This is a qualified and experienced professional who is committed to helping the apprentice achieve their potential by acting as role model and guide. The role of the workplace mentor is to support the apprentice in the workplace learning environment and provide guidance and direction in the completion of all workplace tasks.

EMPLOYER BENEFITS A key advantage to employers is the considerable cost saving involved.

In addition to fully funded theoretical education and support across a range of relevant subject areas, GRETB provide fully funded skills training and certification in 11 specific competencies. Teaching and training are delivered as a series of intensive two-week blocks after which the apprentice returns to their employer for between three to four weeks. Students receive both theoretical and skills training at a purpose-built training centre at GRETB Petersburg Outdoor Education and Training Centre (OETC), Clonbur, County Galway and surrounding parkland and forests.

Gaining an internationally recognised qualification within the industry is attracting young talent. Within the first two years of deployment, 55 apprentices enrolled on the programme and were registered with approved private and public sector employers. A further 16 positions will be available on the February 2024 intake.

The 31st of May 2023 saw the first class of apprentice’s graduate from the programme. An additional class of apprentices will graduate in November 2023. Almost all remain with their apprenticeship employers but now occupy more senior positions such as arboricultural team leaders, contracts managers and trainee consultants.

CONCLUSION The inception of the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Arboriculture in 2021 represents a significant historical juncture in the development of tree and amenity woodland management education in the Republic of Ireland. It is both the first accredited arboriculture qualification in the history of the Irish State and the first national step towards the provision of a planned, structured, and sequenced education and career pathway for arboriculture professionals.

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Training

Successful Spring Marteloscope Outdoor Training Programme Marteloscopes provide outdoor training in tree selection and other key forest management techniques. By Jonathan Spazzi Forestry Development Officer

T

eagasc Forestry Development Department (FDD) ran a very successful Spring series of Marteloscope training workshops on Close-to-Nature forest management. First launched in spring 2022 and coordinated by Forestry Development Officers Jonathan Spazzi, Frances McHugh and Kevin O’Connell, this latest spring series was targeted in particular at forest owners and forestry students and attracted more than 70 participants during six one-day long workshops.

Marteloscopes are specially prepared forest plots which are commonly used across Europe for training participants in tree selection and tree marking in an outdoor-classroom forest setting. The forests in the Teagasc Research centre in Oak Park, Carlow where Marteloscopes have been installed provided an ideal outdoor setting for the workshops.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN The main objectives of the Marteloscope forest management workshops is to allow forest owners, forestry students and other interested stakeholders to learn more about sustainable, multifunctional Close-toNature forest management.

The one-day workshops adopt a facilitation-style format in an outdoor “classroom” setting and encourage participants to learn by doing, leading to group discussions and valuable peer-to-peer learning.

The main aims of these workshops are: • to familiarise participants with different forest management 40

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• • • •

scenarios ranging from clearfell to continuous cover harvesting systems to practise the key skill of selecting trees by their quality, vigour, and biodiversity value to demonstrate in practice how management can help integrate production with biodiversity and other important services that forests can provide. encourage positive knowledge sharing, engagement and lively discussion between participants in the forest.

This new forest training and development resource aims to demonstrate how integrated forest management can help optimise the production and biodiversity value of forests and includes the use of touch-screen tablets for thinning simulations while in the forest, allowing participants to practise new skills and test out in real-time different management options ranging from clearfell to continuous cover management systems.

FORESTRY STUDENT’S WORKSHOPS Workshops for forestry and other third level students from the Southeast Technological University (SETU), Teagasc Ballyhaise College and Technological University Dublin (TUD) were an important new element in the Spring series. In collaboration with Teagasc forestry researcher Dr. Dheeraj Rathore the students took park in the interactive marteloscope experience along with getting first-hand experience of ongoing forestry research taking place in Oak Park. This new formula

HAND

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Training

was particularly well received and likely to continue in the future.

FOREST OWNER’S WORKSHOPS An efficient registration process gave a broad range of forest owners and other forest users the opportunity to participate. This resulted in diverse groups participating in each workshop which in turn added interest to the lively interaction on each day. In addition, a dedicated workshop for a group of forest owners from the Irish Forest Owner (IFO) group was also organised in May. PROMOTING DIVERSE AND INTEGRATED FOREST MANAGEMENT National and European forest policies are increasingly directed towards the promotion of diverse and integrated forest management as a way to enhance forest resilience in the face of climate disruption, while sustaining forest production and delivering diverse ecosystem services to society.

In July the European commission has published new “Guidelines on Closer-to Nature Forest Management” with the aim “to promote biodiversity-friendly and adaptive forest management as part of a common framework for closer-to-nature forest management”. The new guidelines “present relevant practices and showcase the benefits of these practices for forest multi-functionality and climate change resilience without neglecting socioeconomic benefit”.

In Ireland one of the main barriers to management diversification is still the relative lack of skills and expertise available. Addressing this knowledge and training deficit was the primary driver behind the development of a training programme of “marteloscope” workshops by FDD. An important aspect of this training initiative is its European dimension. The FDD marteloscope plots form part of a very dynamic European Integrate Network facilitated by the European Forestry Institute (EFI). The network connects almost 200 practical demonstration sites in different countries involving many forestry agencies and with relevance to number of Irish and European research and development projects. Exchanges between partners is ongoing and allows to share educational experience for common learning.

Since 2020 Teagasc FDD has actively partnered with the EFI and in collaboration with Coillte and Pro Silva Ireland to make this new Close-to-Nature forest management training resource available

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to private forest owners, foresters, students and other interested stakeholders.

FUTURE MARTELOSCOPE WORKSHOPS Following on from a successful spring programme, a new series of workshop dates will be scheduled and details will be announced in the coming months. Please see www.teagasc.ie/forestry for updates. The workshop structure takes an adaptive approach and the workshops are adjusted and evolve over time: the content is regularly updated and the interactive exercise reviewed in light of the participant’s experience and feedback.

For more information on the Marteloscope training network see https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/advice/management/ continuous-cover-forestry/the-marteloscope-training-network/ WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT INTEGRATED FOREST MANAGEMENT? Forest owners and others interested in finding out more about integrated forest management opportunities will be able to register for an exciting new online training course.

A collaboration between Teagasc Forestry Development Department and forestry development agencies from Belgium, France and Germany, Forest MOOC for Change is the first free online course on continuous cover forestry. Designed as a forest management educational resource for forest owners and other groups interested in learning about continuous cover management this MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) for Forest Resilience will be available in Europe in 3 languages.

The course will introduce the principles of continuous cover forestry and provide examples from across Europe. The course will be freely available and will be structured in 8 chapters: • Introduction and history • Natural forest functioning • Natural dynamics • Continuous Cover Forestry and resilience • Ecosystem services • Continuous Cover Forestry and wood economy • Continuous Cover Forestry in practice Each chapter will include videos and online content derived from the partner countries and is planned to go live in October 2023.

North EBnalerangyce Kerry with Nature Woodchip in

Mob: 087 253 5909

Commercial Commercial Feature Feature

Robinson Distribution Ltd

Established in Portarlington, Ireland in 2004, Robinson Distribution Ltd. has continuously expanded and developed into a market leading trailer and crane manufacturer, supplying an ever growing customer base in the transport and forestry sector across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe.

Our Customer Mission The company now boasts an ever increasing customer base across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Our goal is to support our customers in their goal of purchasing trailers and equipment that will provide a strong return on investment and augment the success of their business.

Trailers & Cranes

Background Robinson is an ambitious family owned and managed business with a long and proud history of transport, agri–products and forest machinery.

Throughout its history, Robinson’s has been an innovative company with continuous research and development being at the core of the business. Our track record of trailer and crane design and manufacture provides us with a strong competitive advantage in terms of new product development. All our trailers and cranes are designed and customised by our team of experienced engineers. Each product is manufactured to meet the specific needs of the operator which is backed up by our strict quality procedures. Our attention to detail enables us to build a product that will simply outlast others with superior strength and durability.

Our success has been built on an ethos of serving our customers with quality transport solutions, efficiency, and reliability and also by ensuring there is a complete focus on customer satisfaction at the core of everything we do.

“Our state of the art production plant is one of the most modern trailer manufacturing facilities in Ireland”

Robinson manufactures a wide range of trailers and cranes, all designed to meet the specific needs of our customers, with specifications across three main categories including; On Road Trailers: Bulk Tipper Trailers, Platform Trailers, Container Trailers Timber Trailers: Centre Axle Drawbar Trailers, Semi– Trailers, Super Structures, Turntable Trailers Cranes: The company also supplies, custom manufactures and fits cranes, including brands such as Robinson, Loglift, Kesla, Liv. Our new timber cranes are now operating out in the Irish forestry industry with very positive feedback from our customers. We manufacture two models of crane to choose from, a 9 tonne and a 12 tonne. These both come in a single and double extension model. Our cranes have the highest quality finish with investments in our own forms for castings in Scandinavia, Swedish Steel, Parker Hydraulics, Indexator Rotators and Links, Tamtron and Maxi Cap Weighting Systems and high power LED working lights. The high standard of finish extends to the main components as they are blasted, primed and painted which presents a huge advantage over competing products. Robinson also supply their own grapple with its crane. This is a Robinson 42 Grapple which has a gripping area of 0.42m2. Robinson’s also manufacture their own Robinson One Piece Timber Bunk. These are made of specialised Swedish Steel. Due to the weight and price of the Robinson Bunks, they can now compete aggressively in the market place, making them very popular with customers.

Facilities & Competencies

Contact Us Today

With ongoing investment, research and development; the company has continuously developed a modern manufacturing facility designed to manage the expectations of today’s transport sector. Our state of the art production plant is one of the most modern trailer manufacturing facilities in Ireland.

As a business we continuously innovate by applying cutting edge design aligned to the specific and changing requirements of each trailer’s function with the aim of saving fuel, maximising payloads, increasing manoeuvrability and flexibility, improving safety whilst ensuring we comply with all legal regulations Our focus is on building the highest quality trailers to the highest manufacturing standards. We achieve this through a combination of: Engineering & Design Excellence, Advanced Technology, A Wealth of Experience

For a discussion about your needs and how Robinson would be pleased to assist you, please call us today on Tel: 057 86 24832 or email scott@robinsondistribution.ie You can visit our website on www.robinsondistribution.ie

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Forestry&Energy Forestry&Energy

Climate Change

Changing Forest Species Composition During Climate Change Providing European forests the greatest chance of survival.

I

t’s unseasonably wet in the Fuerther Stadtwald today and they’re saying I brought the Irish weather with me; though the intermittent showers are a welcome sight in the forest. Roe deer scamper through the brush, wild bees are busy collecting nectar and doing the ever-important job of pollination. Industrious woodpeckers hammer away at the trees creating habitats that will be used by birds, bats, insects, and fungi. The forest floor is a lush green, carpeted with wild blueberries as far as the eye can see. Century old pines tower above the forest while the birds fly in between.

Figure 2: Wild Boars during a feeding

wood was required for construction at this time. The forest had been continuously stripped of humus by local farmers causing significant soil degradation. And during the war, shells falling caused damage to the trees that is still causing issues today, ruining chainsaw blades and sawmill bandsaws. Today, a combination of increasing temperatures and less rainfall has led to a whole host of additional problems for this forest.

Figure 1: Pine Trees and Blueberries

SCOTS PINE TREES ARE DYING This is a Dauerwald, or a permanent forest, located in the south of Germany a stones throw from Nuremberg. It has stood here for as long as anyone knows with records going back to the middle ages. This forest is hiding something though. For all of its lush greenery, when we look a little closer into the canopy, we can see that the pines (Pinus sylvestris), which make up the majority of the forest, are dying.

The Stadtwald is around 600ha of publicly accessible forest. Walkers and runners visit the forest everyday in droves and cyclists use the paths as routes to different parts of the city, stopping in the Felsenkeller Biergarten located in the forest for a beer or a shandy on the way.

Families visit and go to see the wild boar or the red deer enclosure and bring presents of bread, vegetables, and pasta to the animals, much to the delight of the young children who visit. People hunt for mushrooms and forage for berries and wild garlic. Groups of kindergarteners with teachers wander by to visit the Forest Education Path waving and calling “Guten Morgen!” to us as we work. Wood production is a secondary objective for this forest and other forests managed in this way, ecology and social benefits are seen as the primary objectives.

Wood production simply serves to finance these purposes.

This forest has seen its share of problems. Initially a deciduous forest, it was converted to coniferous composition in the 1300’s as more 46

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CHANGING TEMPERATURES AND BROADLEAF PLAN The changing temperatures has caused an increase in the numbers of bark beetles present, and the lack of water has made the normally mostly harmless parasitic mistletoe a cause for serious concern for the pines, as they steal what little moisture is available to the canopy.

The humus layer is a only a few centimeters deep and extremely sandy underneath.

In recent years the humus layer has been replenishing, improving the health of the soil, however in the forest, the lack of rainfall has been a persistent problem. Allowing the humus to replenish has been a critical factor in restoring the soil as fertilizers (and pesticides and herbicides) are never used in this forest due to the number of guests that visit.

In order to provide this forest with a chance at long term survival, the Forester here has set the long-term goal of changing the forest composition to primarily broadleaf. The understory is planted with broadleaf species and the dominant trees are allowed to stand for as long as they can. Then once the understory trees are sufficiently established, the canopy is slowly thinned out.

When felling trees, the Forester gives much thought on which direction to fell them, and in which order so as to release the most resources and cause the least damage. The forest workers take great care to ensure that minimal damage is caused to the young trees, and these workers could fell a tree onto a penny. The trees to be removed are selected based on the health of the tree, and the amount of light that removing the tree would release to the forest floor. Healthy trees are

Climate Change

allowed to remain, dying trees and recently dead trees are taken, and dead trees that have begun to decay are allowed to remain – save for those that pose a hazard – for the ecological benefits.

The composition change has been happening for around 25 years with noticeable success. Species are selected based on their ability to resist climate change and on the soil types available to different areas of the forest. Norway Spruces (Picea abies) are never planted as these are some of the least resistant to climate change. Due to shallow rooting in dry, sandy soil, they are unlikely to survive in the long term. Pines are allowed to naturally regenerate, but these young trees rarely reach maturity. Deep rooting species are preferred to allow more access to water and more stabilisation to resist the increasing frequency of high winds in the region. The long-term objective is to have the primary composition to be oak (Quercus robur). Beech (Fagus sylvatica) forms a large quantity of the basal area in areas that have been converted successfully. However, this is undesirable as beech has proven to be less resistant to drought and heat than oak. There are small plots of cherry (Prunus avium), chestnuts (Castanea sativa), and alder (Alnus

Figure 5: Immature Beech stand under mature Pines

Figure 3: Mistletoe on a Pine

glutinosa) planted as experimental plots to evaluate the climate resistance of these species in the forest. The chestnuts have proven difficult to establish however the cherry has established quite well as has the alder which has been planted in low lying areas of the forest prone to flooding during the wet season. The only conifer species’ that are planted at the moment are Silver Fir (Abies alba) as these are a native species to the forest and have shown to be more climate resistant than the pines and spruces, and the non-native Grand Fir (Abies grandis) to be used for Christmas trees when they reach sufficient size.

Unfortunately, in a time of changing climates, there are no guarantees of what native trees will prove resistant in the long term.

Foresters in areas such as Bavaria must make the difficult decision of whether to plant native species which are not as capable of surviving the new weather patterns being encountered here, or to consider introducing non-native species which are more climate resistant but could cause harm to local ecology. This has already been seen in this forest as Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), Weymouth Pine (Pinus strobus), and Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) had been planted in years passed. These North American species have become somewhat invasive in the forest and require population control on a regular basis.

There will be unavoidable changes to the ecology of this forest as the composition changes. Much more nuts and seeds will become available for the wildlife, and the flowering broadleaf species will provide much more sustenance for the bees in the forest. However, it is likely the blueberries and lingonberries which carpet the forest will become uncommon as these are highly light demanding species and struggle to survive under broadleaf species.

CONTINUOUS COVER Due to the continuous cover nature of this forest, changing species composition is a slow and careful process. Applied to an Irish context, when we begin facing issues from climate change, it will be much easier to clearfell stands and replant with more resistant species. The issue facing Irish forestry is, what species should be planted and how can we give more support to continuous cover forests? Given that the majority of our stands are Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis), we have little experience of what trees will do well in Irish soil types and with the potential changes in the Irish climate.

It is the opinion of this Forestry student that the State should be doing more to encourage diversifying the Irish wood production sector, and to do more to see forests as more than simply another form of agriculture and as a long term social and ecological asset. This way we can ensure the continued survival of our forests and ecosystem. This

Figure 4: Split and drying firewood for sale

Forestry&Energy

47

Climate Change

Figure 6: A nest of caterpillars

Figure 7: Fürth on a map

will require a much more hands-on approach such as more investment into stands for ecology, and stands for social benefits. While the Neighbourwood scheme provides an excellent starting point for forests as a social asset, a more tailored approach for forests that are managed for ecological purposes needs to applied.

Funding for avian habitats in forests. Funding for non-homogenous stands. Placing more emphasis on state owned forests as a social and ecological asset. Steps like these would allow Ireland to ensure the long term survival of our forests and even lead to an expansion of the value of the Forestry sector.

REWARDS Rewarding landowners for preservation of standing deadwood by topping the stems to reduce the chance of the trees coming down.

Article by Alexander Troy, Forestry student at SETU Waterford Further information about forestry at SETU Waterford may be found here: www.setu.ie/se505

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Training

Forest MOOC For Change - First Free Online Course On Continuous Cover Forestry Alternative management options that combine the profitable production of quality wood with the enhancement of biodiversity and the protection of ecosystem services.

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orests are under increasing pressure - on one side there is society’s increasing demand for productivity and multipurpose value and on the other increasing pressure from climatic extremes and intensification of disturbance.

There is now a growing need for an integrated approach to forest management and for close-to-nature solutions to enable the multipurpose value of our forest and to enhance their biodiversity and resilience in the face of climatic disruption.

One of the main hurdles to enable new management systems has been a general lack of knowledge and expertise on alternative management options that combine the profitable production of quality wood with the enhancement of biodiversity and the protection of ecosystem services.

To address this problem Teagasc Forestry Development Department is collaborating with other organisations in Ireland and Europe to develop the first online course on continuous cover management systems.

This exciting new course is called ForestMoocForChange - the first free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Continuous Cover Forestry.

ForestMoocForChange is an important new educational tool to facilitate Europe’s forests transformation towards continuous cover forestry (CCF) systems as a way to optimise production of quality wood, biodiversity, the protection of ecosystem services and enhanced resilience.

ForestMoocForChange is an online course providing an introduction to continues cover forestry, covering the various aspects of this innovative forestry approach over an 8-week period. The course includes numerous videos produced in the field by experts, managers and owners. Each week, a live meeting will be organised with the speakers enabling you to ask your questions and discuss the subject covered.

From discovering how continuous cover works and its dynamics, to questions of an economic, ecological or social nature, the MOOC is designed to be comprehensive and aimed at everyone.

AN OVERVIEW OF CCF ACROSS EUROPE The ForestMoocForChange was informed by interactions with foresters 52

Forestry&Energy

practicing CCF in Germany, Ireland, France and Belgium where they shared their practical management experience, sometimes spanning several decades, and demonstrated their management skills.

Starting with the main principles of continuous cover silviculture, you will then discover the functioning and dynamics of natural forests and how management is inspired by them. The resilience of forests and their ecosystem services are the subject of a chapter in their own right.

The course also looks at the profitability of continuous cover forestry, with testimonials from foresters who apply it for its economic benefits, among other reasons. While at first glance it might seem complicated to change forest management, a dedicated chapter will reassure you where, step by step, forest transformation practices and tools are reviewed.

Finally, we’ll take you across Europe to discover forests managed using continuous cover forestry in different ecosystems, each with its own challenges and opportunities. A real source of inspiration!

JOIN THE FORESTERS OF TOMORROW! Follow the ForestMoocForChange in French, German or English from 16 October to 7 December 2023. A new chapter will be available each week, and can be followed from home, whenever you want, at your own pace. The course is completely free, and includes certification when you complete all the modules.

Register now on forestmoocforchange.eu For more information contact jonathan.spazzi@teagasc.ie Forest MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) for Change is a collaborative project, co-financed by the European Union, between four European Forestry Development Agencies involved in Close-to-Nature forestry development: • Die Arbeitsgemeinschaft Naturgemäße Waldwirtschaft (ANW), Germany • Pro Silva, France • Teagasc Forestry Development Department, Ireland • Forêt-Nature, Belgium - lead partner

Innovation

Forestry Innovation A Reality Or Wishful Thinking?

Dr Kathryn O Donoghue CEO of Forest Owners Co-Op addresses the future direction and potential of Irish Forestry.

C

limate change and Biodiversity loss are among the challenges that the Forest Service must grapple with in the new forestry programme 2023-2027. This means that innovation is critical for the future of forestry in Ireland.

If the forestry industry is to advance forest growing in rural Ireland it is critical to address the relationship between the Forest Service as a governing body of all other stakeholders. It is critical that immediate attention is given to radical reform. It must be innovative in nature and innovative in practice. What does Innovation mean, it can simply be defined as creating a new idea and value for your target, such as forest owners and processing companies together with all other stakeholders who have joined forces to play an active part towards achieving the planting of new forests on any level in different forms and scales.

Private Landowners who are in forestry or considering going into forestry are not just custodians of the land, they are the innovators and voice of the land. There is a consensus amongst forest growers in Ireland that no government or forest service, has understood the value of trees or nurtured the value of forestry growing in Ireland. Unless our government and our forest service are prepared to embrace innovation and a new business model rooted in the long-term future of forestry in total unison of all stakeholders under one management umbrella with the business capability to generate an economic return, there are questions over the delivery of a vibrant forestry sector with the spillover benefits for the broader community.

management, processing and auxiliary industries boosting a local economy and displacing imports. The past two years forest owners in the private sector clearly voiced their dissatisfaction on how they have been ignored by the Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine and the Minister for Forestry and Land Use over the years. Forestry is a neglected, yet very valuable enterprise and policy makers are blinkered to its potential.

CREATIVITY The Forest Service must address creativity in the promotion of the forestry programme 2023-27 . There is no sustainable forest industry at this time in Ireland , there is decline rather than increase in recognition of a vibrant forestry sector with the capacity to create jobs in timber

ASH DIEBACK The losses experienced by ash growers is considerable and in the past ten years there has been no significant engagement by the forest service to innovatively address devastating, life changing consequences ash dieback has had on growers and the enterprise of hurley making. The

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Forestry&Energy

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT There has been a continuous lack of Government support and investment in forestry over many years and the lack of political will to redress the ills in the forestry sector is an unfair negative image.

There has been a complete lack of defence of forestry by government representation at European Union level and there has been total failure to explain to the decision makers and to farmers about the many benefits by which farmers have benefitted substantially due to all the credits in carbon sequestration in forestry since the 1990’s as they have been allocated to agriculture.

The Department of Agriculture the Forest Service and Farmers alike need to be made aware that substantially increasing the area of rural Ireland under forestry will benefit the carbon emitting enterprises in agriculture. But to encourage young farmers to plant trees it is important to create an incentive whereby there is a financial benefit given to growers for the carbon their trees are sequestering.

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In recent years, the market for kilns to dry biomass fuel has increased considerably. This has been driven by consumer awareness of product moisture and government initiatives to improve air quality, such as the Woodsure Ready to Burn accreditation scheme.

Innovation present Minister for Agriculture in a recent Dail debate indicated that some new package is being considered for ash dieback plantations, the question is how Innovative any compensation package will be in encouraging ash growers to replant forestry.

A contradiction in Government policy collaboration between departments on forestry needs attention. Climate change the Environment and the total lack of interest in making the most of the potential that increased afforestation has in mitigating the environmental cost of our agricultural production is beyond comprehension. One might well ask how accurate the Climate Action plan is, it is misleading for the leadership in forestry to suggest that ecosystem services are now part of multipurpose forestry and that licence approval systems were the problem for the lack of a forestry enterprise in Ireland.

LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE The big problem as I see it is leadership. Forestry in Ireland sadly lacks leadership and vision, the Forest Service has been asleep at the wheel under a cloud of technical administrative issues while our forest industry if falling apart and on the floor.

Forestry leadership at the local level of growing trees and understanding environment on the ground is fragmented, broken, and clueless on Climate Action facts and forestry implications. I challenge any forestry leader to a debate on carbon counting. Why we are looking at forestry at a certain level and why we want bogs at a certain level, can we have both ?

‘Innovation a reality or wishful thinking’ ? if we listen to some of our forestry leaders on the ground and that of national governance it is beyond ‘sad’ as a campaign of promotion as a new programme kicks off. Innovation is not a word understood by forestry within the department of agriculture or with forest leadership on the ground.

To be innovative on increased forestry targets the industry needs a cohesive approach by all stakeholders to come under one banner, it needs a management team with leadership which comes with factual science and research, it needs innovation and vision from a team of people who know forestry from grassroots to treetops who can take the industry from programme to action centred innovation for a sustainable forest sector.

Ireland is only in first generation forestry and there are many innovative avenues of forestry to be explored for sustainability, performance, and productivity. It is inspiring to see Innovations in the forest sector a rural farm family industry that has been criticized as

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Forestry&Energy

being outdated and unable to keep up with sector development reach out for assistance in transforming the timber sector and re-generate with nature-based solutions to climate and lifelong living in a circular rural economy.

Forestry is a key ecosystem and without it life as we know it would not exist. Thus, protecting forests is our essential task. Simultaneously we depend on goods and services provided by forest ecosystems.

Therefore, besides protecting the forest we should be ensuring their sustainable use. That means the use of forests while increasing biodiversity, productivity and their regeneration capacity, vitality, and their potential now and in the future for relevant ecological economic and social functions at local, national, and global level side by side with other eco systems.

Besides commonly occurring changes, forests and their functions are today threatened by climate change and the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather all of which can lead to disturbance in the forest. Therefore, to provide wide scale benefits for human society forests require our pro-active attention in the form of forestry innovation with a younger generation of owners and enthusiasts. There are challenges to be addressed in forestry, a new generation of strong active forest owners have the ability and ‘learning by doing’ drive to be next generation forestry leaders who will re-generate forestry as an innovative enterprise in Ireland and will make a marked contribution to a fruitful land stock that will contribute to a strong future in food security, sustainability, and purification of water.

NEW GENERATION The next generation forester has the power of Innovation to safeguarding our future generations, managers, science and academia and other forest stakeholders have the functional application to achieving success. In going beyond the forest gate is our future in growing the right tree in the right place or is it driven by Innovation.

The seat of policy makers and leading decision makers might just be an empty vessel while the land of humans and nature has potential to flourish with forestry innovation. If only bureaucracy applied the doughnut approach to forestry as a rural economic and social enterprise. Forestry in the future could be an asset and therefore an Independent Company is a must if Ireland is to survive productively for generations to come. Our dependency on forestry in the future is an innovative learning curve we need to embrace to protect nature and human survival.

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Soil

Improve Your Soil To Improve Growth Rate

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LAND DEGRADATION AND EARLY SAPLING MORTALITY In undisturbed natural ecosystems, mycorrhizal fungi consistently inhabit woodland environments. However, due to ongoing land degradation, certain areas exhibit historically low tree canopy coverage and a conspicuous absence of viable ectomycorrhizal populations. These locations include former agricultural sites, clear-cut forestry areas, and moorlands, all of which encounter substantial challenges in terms of woodland re-establishment. Saplings introduced into such adverse conditions can incur a staggering mortality rate of up to 80% within the initial three years of planting.

nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace minerals (e.g., potassium, calcium, copper, zinc, iron). They provide these nutrients to the tree in exchange for receiving photosynthesized carbohydrates.

This nutrient exchange is highly efficient and helps accelerate tree growth. Additionally, the physical entanglement of these fungi with root cells enhances a tree’s resilience to diseases and droughts. The fungi create a protective hyphal mantle around the roots, defending against pathogen intrusion and improving water absorption. Consequently, mycorrhized trees exhibit increased robustness and higher survival rates compared to non-mycorrhized trees.

TREE PARTNERSHIP WITH ECTOMYCORRHIZAL FUNGI Ectomycorrhizal fungi, a subset of mycorrhizal fungi, establish symbiotic relationships with various trees, including conifers like pines and spruces and deciduous species such as beeches and oaks. These fungi extend their hyphae into the soil to access essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace minerals (e.g., potassium, calcium, copper, zinc, iron). They provide these nutrients to the tree in exchange for receiving photosynthesized carbohydrates.

RESTORING THE UNDERGROUND MYCORRHIZAL NETWORK Rhizocore harnesses the power of this relationship and developed new techniques to encase live ectomycorhizal fungi in pellets that can be planted alongside trees. This rigorous process includes sourcing local native fungi to preserve biodiversity and enhance fungal adaptability to the site. Through their work, Rhizocore hopes to transform the way people think about fungi and tree planting.

TREE PARTNERSHIP WITH ECTOMYCORRHIZAL FUNGI Ectomycorrhizal fungi, a subset of mycorrhizal fungi, establish symbiotic relationships with various trees, including conifers like pines and spruces and deciduous species such as beeches and oaks. These fungi extend their hyphae into the soil to access essential nutrients like

For further information please contact: Name: Franziska Scott Tel: (+44) 0131 341 4734 Email address: info@rhizocore.com Website: www.rhizocore.com

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Western Hemlock

Western Hemlock: An Important Species For Ireland’s Forest Diversification?

Niall Farrelly and Bruna Longo, Teagasc Forestry Development Department, take a look at Western Hemlock, a tree species which has been perhaps underutilised in Irish forestry, and suggests that it’s good growth potential and versatility provides more options to diversify forest management practice.

W

estern Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) is a species native to the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It has a natural range that spans from central California to Alaska along the coast from the Cascade Range in Oregon. In its natural range it co-exists with Sitka spruce, producing some of the most productive forests in the world. The interior range extends west of the Continental Divide in Montana and Idaho (Table 1). The species is long lived, often reaching ages of 400 to 500 years, with some individuals surviving up to 700 years. Western Hemlock was introduced to Ireland in the mid-19th century, primarily as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks-its potential as a timber species was recognized later in the 20th century.

To date in Ireland, the species has seen limited use, partially owing to lack of experience in using the species and part owing to perceptions of inferior timber quality perhaps associated with poor provenance choice. However a good specimen can produce very timber with very favourable strength to weight properties making it useful for construction applications. The species has been planted in pure stands (130 ha) and in mixed stands (1384 ha) throughout Ireland. It has been used in mixtures with Sitka spruce, oak, beech, Douglas-fir, birch, and Japanese larch.

SITE REQUIREMENTS Western hemlock has a preference for wide range of mineral soils but exhibits the best growth on well-drained, deep, and moist soils (Table 2). It prefers sheltered sites (Horgan et al. 2003) that offer protection from strong winds and exposure, often showing good development on lower and mid-slopes of Hill and Mountains (Wilson, 2011).

Western hemlock prefers areas with high annual precipitation requiring consistent moisture levels. Saplings have been noted to present symptoms of top dieback in conditions of accentuated drought. It may only be suitable on soils where annual rainfall is circa 900mm on moist loamy clays soils that display increased water holding capacity. Heavy

Figure 1: A stand of Western hemlock growing in Millstreet, Co. Cork.

Photo: R. Walsh (2017).

Characteristic

Coastal

Interior

Latitude

32°N to 60°N

37°N to 56°N

Altitude

0-1500 m a.s.l.

0-2000 m a.s.l.

Annual rainfall

1500-3500 mm

500-1500 mm

Rainfall type

Mostly in fall/winter

Late spring and early fall

Average annual temperature

8 to 13°C

3 to 10°C

Absolute minimum temperatures

>0°C, rarely <-5°C

Occasionally <-20°C

General drought tolerance

Brief drought periods

Higher than coastal

Table 1. Environmental characteristics of the coastal and interior natural range of western hemlock.

Source: Packee (1990).

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Western Hemlock Characteristic

Description

Floor

Tolerates acid mineral soils and the better peats

Type

Can grow on indurated iron pan podzols, peaty podzolised gleys, gleys/peaty gleys, acid brown earths, brown podzolics, podzols/peaty podzols

pH value

4.0-6.3

Nutritional needs

Low to medium

Water demand

Tolerates various water conditions, but thrives on >1000mm of rainfall.

Exposure tolerance

Very low; best to avoid exposed sites

Light requirement

Shade tree species

Drought tolerance

Low

Waterlogging tolerance

Low

Frost tolerance

Low to spring frosts

Table 2. Site characteristics for the optimal development of western hemlock.

Sources Horgan et al. 2003; Wilson, 2011; Savill, 1991 clay soils and soils with impeded drainage are not recommended as these soils limit soil aeration and hinder root penetration.

While the species is adapted to temperate climates with mild temperatures, severe or prolonged frost events can damage young shoots and needles. Temperature fluctuations pose a challenge for the species, and the species is susceptible to spring frosts, and although it usually recovers, the frost damage results in excessive forking of the main stem. Thus protection against frost is a necessity to ensure successful establishment and to produce a crop of commercial value.

PERFORMANCE In Great Britain, Western hemlock’s early growth has been noted to reach 1.8m at 4 years on favourable sites, i.e., sheltered brown earths.

The species has the potential to achieve similar growth rates to Sitka spruce, provided it is deployed wisely, in favourable conditions. The species can reach an average height of 30 meters in 30-35 years. In mature crops of Western hemlock in the UK, yield classes can vary between 12 and 24 m3/ha/year (Savill, 1991). In Ireland, the average yield class for Western hemlock has been estimated at 18m3/ha/year, from which 30% has reached the range of 20-24m3/ha/year (Anon., 1996).

As part of this review we assessed a provenance display of Western

hemlock at John F. Kennedy Arboretum in Co. Wexford (Figure 2).

We assessed the performance of two provenances: Alberni (Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada) and Avondale (Co. Wicklow, Ireland). We found that the Avondale produced a slightly higher yield class and higher volume per hectare than the Alberni source (Table 3).

Figure 2. Specimens of western hemlock in the JFK Arboretum, Co. Wexford. Photo: Bruna L. Longo (2023).

Criteria

Alberni

Avondale

Planting year

1966

1966

Age at assessment (years)

55

55

Stocking

750

1000

Top height (m)

27.1

28.5

Mean height (m)

28.6

27.3

Mean DBH (cm)

35.6

35.4

Mean basal area (m2)

0.100

0.098

Stand basal area (m2/ha)

74.81

98.40

Mean volume (m3)

1.213

1.112

Yield class

17

18

Volume Ha (m3/ha)

910

1112

Table 3. Summary of assessment of observation plots of western hemlock in the JFK Arboretum.

DBH: diameter at breast height (1.3m above ground).

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Western Hemlock PROVENANCE SELECTION Provenance trials and research have shown that certain provenances exhibit better resistance to frost and adapt well to Irish climates. Results of a provenance experiment established in Ireland in the 1960’s have been used to identify the most suitable provenances for use in Irish conditions (table 4). The experiment suggest that western hemlock provenances from the Puget Sound region of Washington State, the coastal range and Cascade Mountains of Washington and Oregon, as well as material from Irish and British stands should be preferred for establishment in Ireland Horgan et al. (2003).

NOTABLE RISKS Western hemlock’s relatively shallow root system can make it susceptible to windthrow, especially in exposed sites. Additional measures like windbreaks or selective planting may be necessary in such areas. It is also susceptible to Heterobasidium annosum and Armillaria spp., agents responsible for butt and root rot. The spraying of stumps with urea following harvesting may be important to prevent the widespread establishment of these diseases on sites which are deemed to be at risk. Western hemlock can be vulnerable to deer damage, as the soft foliage and bark are desirable to deer, and, protective measures may be needed to ensure the survival and growth of young trees in intensely browsed areas.

TIMBER UTILIZATION Western hemlock yields high-quality timber with favourable wood properties. It is valued for its straight grain, light colour, and ease of working. Its high strength-to-weight ratio makes it particularly valuable in construction and joinery. Additionally, western hemlock wood can be used for pulp production, adding to its versatility. The wood holds nails and screws well, takes finishes and paints effectively, and is suitable for plywood manufacture.

SUITABILITY TO MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS While Western hemlock benefits from direct sunlight in its early stages, it is notably shade-tolerant, offering the advantage of being able to grow successfully in the understory of mature forests. This characteristic makes it suitable for mixed-species forests and continuous cover forestry

systems. It can thrive in areas with Rhododendron spp., growing to suppress them. Shade tolerance allows natural regeneration of the species to occur with ease, enabling it to occupy a sub-dominant class to pioneer species aligning well with Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) systems. Its high shade tolerance and compatible growth rates makes it a species to consider in mixed species stands to diversify crops to increase resilience of forests to climate change (Mason et al. 2018).

CONCLUSION Western hemlock holds significant potential as a commercial timberproducing species in Ireland (Figure 4). Its adaptability to Irish environmental conditions, strong growth potential, favourable wood properties, and compatibility with various forestry management systems make it an attractive choice. With proper planning and management, western hemlock can diversify Ireland’s forestry sector, enhance timber production, and contribute to sustainable and resilient forestry practices. Its versatility in wood utilization and adaptability to various site conditions position it as a valuable addition to the Irish forestry landscape.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors would like to thank the Department of Agriculture, food and the Marine for funding under the FitForests project reference 2019R511.

SELECTED REFERENCES • Anon. 1996. Western Hemlock Recommended Seed Sources: An evaluation of the Tsuga heterophylla provenance experiment – Clonegal 1/63, Co. Wexford. Communication notes. 10p.

• Horgan, T., Keane, M., McCarthy, R., Lally, M., Thompson, D. 2003. A Guide to Forest Tree Species Selection and Silviculture in Ireland. O’Carroll, J. COFORD, Dublin. 256p.

• Mason, W.L., MacDonald, F., Parratt, M., McLean, J.P. 2018. What alternative tree species can we grow in western Britain? 85 years of evidence from the Kilmun Forest Garden. Scottish Forestry, v. 72, n.1. pp.24-36.

• Wilson, S.M.G. 2011. Using alternative conifer species for productive forestry in Scotland. Forestry Commission Scotland, Edinburgh.

Latitude (N)

Provenance

Ireland

58°30’

Juneau, Alaska

X

54°30’

Prince Rupert, B.C.

A

54°30’

Terrace, Skeena River, B.C.

A

54°

Massett, Queen Charlotte Island, B.C.

A

53°30’

Skidegate, Queen Charlotte Island, B.C.

X

49°30’

Courtenay, Vancouver Island, B.C.

A

49°30’

Alberni, Vancouver Island, B.C.

X

49°

Ladysmith, Vancouver Island, B.C.

X

48°

Camano Island, Puget Sound, W.

A

47°

Enumclaw, Cascade Foothills, W.

X

46°30’

Randle, Cascade Foothills, W.

A

44°30’

Cascadia, Cascade Foothills, W.

B

44°

Leaburg, Cascade Foothills, W.

B

53°

Avondale, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

X

56°

Inveraray, Argyll, Scotland

X

Table 4. Overview of provenance performance from experimental studies in Europe.

Source: Anon (2006) A: recommended for general purpose; B: recommended for more productive sites; X: not recommended or underperformer.

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Forestry&Energy

Figure 3: Well managed stand of western hemlock showing good straight stems.

Environment

Grown Green’s Sustainable Tree Guards: A Green Solution for a Plastic-Free Environment

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rown Green are probably not a company you have heard of before but you will definitely have seen or stumbled across the reasons we were set up… millions of single use nonrecyclable plastic tree guards left to litter our countryside and

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We have developed an amazing range of environmentally friendly and naturally compostable guards which protect young trees, hedges and vines, once they have done their job they mulch down into delicious plant food. No collection costs, No disposal issues and No waste!

Grown Green guards are manufactured in the UK in our carbon neutral factory, they are 100% biodegradable, utilise certified FSC materials for full chain of custody, they are cost effective and much better for our planet.

The UK Government have started banning single use plastics, from carrier bags, drinking straws, ear buds, plastic cutlery, take away containers to name but a few, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before they turn their attention on the millions of plastic tree protectors being put into our countryside.

It makes no sense to us here at Grown Green when we see companies plant trees to help save the planet in huge plastic guards that will take hundreds of years to degrade.

There is an alternative, speak to us about your planting project and we will find the right guard for you.

Contact us at contact@growngreen.co.uk or call on 01225 413415 to discuss your planting plans.

Forestry&Energy

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Plant Sales

New Focus On Forestry Driving Growth In Equipment Sector

P

roof that forestry is gaining in importance – not just in its own right but in the spin-off benefits the sector brings to those engaged in it – is something that is becoming more evident across the board.

Viewed in the abstract, forestry has become ‘big business’, spurred on by climate pressures and government policy. What was once viewed as a nice little earner for those with a bit of poor land, or those last-of-line family members inheriting land they wanted to keep but who don’t have the knowledge or time to farm, has now become a focus for investment driven by ‘big plans, big targets and big opportunities’ across the board.

As one forestry insider puts it: “when one considers the position forestry holds in North America, Scandinavia and elsewhere across the globe, and the favourable conditions that exist in Ireland, one wonders why it has been allowed tick along for so long”.

One sector that is wide awake to the changes now taking place is forestry equipment distributor, McHale Plant Sales. By some comparisons a relative newcomer to the sector, their appointment as distributors of Komatsu Forest equipment has led to increasing sales of their distinctive timber harvesters and forwarders.

Helped in no small measure by the boost in forestry activity – and by an increasing willingness by contractors to invest in upgrading their equipment – recent activity has seen their 901/ 931XC harvester models

and 845 / 855 forwarders added to contractor fleets. Names known to have invested in their equipment inventory include Cuddy Timber, Willie O’Dwyer, Tony Codd, Foley Timber, Pat Doyle, Camross, McKelvey Harvesting and Pat Neville.

Backing this drive by McHale has been the expansion of its forestry team in sales, parts and after sales service. Fronting their 32-counties sales drive are well-known forestry professionals Pat Egan and Eamonn Scanlon with additional appointments in service and parts roles.

Commenting, their sales director, Denis McGrath spoke favourably of ‘the welcome that has been shown towards Komatsu and McHale since our entry to the sector some years ago’. Looking ahead to the support forestry contractors can expect, McGrath pointed to their recent appointment as distributors of Canadian-made Prinoth equipment in the form of a tracked, all-terrain dump truck and in their ‘Raptor’ mulcher, both of which McGrath said: “will appeal to contractors focused on expansion and extending their service offering”.

On a separate front, McGrath pointed also to the setting up by McHale of their online auction site. With its global reach, McGrath added “contractors and equipment owners now have access to a ‘worldwide showroom’ for the disposal of quality used equipment that still has a useful life to lead under new ownership”.

McHale Plant Sales director, Denis McGrath (centre) and Komatsu Forest area sales managers Eamonn Scanlan and Pat Egan, pictured at the new, state-of-the-art Komatsu Forest factory in Umea, Sweden. Joining them at the event were dealers from across Europe who undertook product training in Komatsu Forest’s latest range of forwarders and harvesters.

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Forestry&Energy

Biomass Required Sawdust | Woodchip | Pulp wood Forestry thinnings & residues Bord na Móna has a substantial annual biomass requirement to fuel its power plant at Edenderry Co. Offaly. The company is offering suppliers a continuous year round offtake with sustainable contracts.

For further details please contact: Kevin Whelehan 087 1732448 kevin.whelehan@bnm.ie

Joseph Spollen 087 965 4645 joseph.spollen@bnm.ie

Ciara Wynne 087 185 3647 ciara.wynne@bnm.ie

Driving the future of private forestry.

With world class processing facilities capable of processing in excess of 1,000,000m3 of logs annually, Murray Timber has the capacity to ensure that forest owners always get the best price for their timber.

Call our Forestry Manager John Ryan today

on 087 7928405

Ballon, Co. Carlow, Ireland.

T: +353 (0) 59 915 9178 E: sales@mtg.ie

Proud Sponsors of

Ballygar, Co. Galway, Ireland.

T: +353 (0) 90 662 4688 E: sales@mtg.ie

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06/02/2017 15:49