It’s that time of year when foresters, forestry companies, producer groups and the Forest Service begin promoting the annual afforestation programme at conferences, field days and demonstration events around the country.

Most of these are represented at next week’s Ploughing, which is a good event to discuss forestry matters with a wide cross-section of forestry stakeholders. In addition, Forest Service representative will be available to answer questions about the upcoming forestry programme and the recent announcement at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine stand.

Field days and other meetings usually focus on particular forestry issues, so growers – and potential growers – should choose events that are relevant to their own circumstances.

For example, the current series of timber marketing days organised by Teagasc, in association with the Forest Service, are clearly aimed at forest owners with crops at or approaching the production stage. These conclude tomorrow (Friday 16 September) in the Rose Hotel, Tralee. There are still some places available. Registration is at 9.30am if forest owners in the Kerry and Limerick areas wish to drop in to this excellent event where forest owners will have the opportunity to meet timber buyers, harvesting contractors and Teagasc foresters.

Two field days, organised by the Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA), are worth attending over the next few weeks in Monaghan and Sligo.

Lough Bawn Woodland

Co Monaghan is often forgotten when field days are being organised partly because it is one of the least forested counties in Ireland. Although little over 4% of the land area is under forest, it has excellent woodlands including the Coillte recreation forests of Rossmore and Black Island.

The ITGA has selected Lough Bawn Woodlands for its 23 September field day for a number of reasons, not least because of its species diversity and scenic location. It is also managed by Jack Tenison whose views and hands-on forest management style are likely to create stimulating debate.

Lough Bawn Woodland comprises approximately 100ha of mixed broadleaved and coniferous species. Located in a scenic area adjacent to Loughbawn approximately 15km northwest of Carrickmacross, the woodland won the RDS-Forest Service Irish Forestry and Woodland Awards for biodiversity in 2001 and again in 2011.

The event will explore management of lakeside woodlands and discuss the different approaches to woodland improvement, thinning and felling, tree selection, replanting and underplanting, biodiversity requirements, access, control of competing vegetation and working on clay soils.

Issues such as timber sales and the various costs associated with high intensity management of broadleaved woodlands where public good benefits outnumber commercial benefits, raising the question: “Who pays for the public good benefits of long-term biodiverse management of broadleaved woodlands?”

Castlebaldwin Woodland

The second ITGA field day is scheduled for 14 October. This has a number of stops from productive forests to reforestation sites in the Castlebaldwin area of Co Sligo. The field work for this event is being carried out by Western Forestry Co-op foresters.

The first site visit is to a 16ha productive Sitka spruce forest where harvesting is under way after forest road planning and construction has been carried out.

The second site visit will examine harvesting operations and systems. Clive Stoddart of Balcas Timber will outline important points from a buyer’s perspective.

The ITGA model timber sales dispatch system was used in this sale and will be outlined by Donal Whelan, ITGA.

The final site visit will take place in a reforested area where the local forester will discuss issues such as ground preparation after clearfelling and the need to use strong insecticide pre-treated plants to cope with competing vegetation and pine weevil attack, both of which are inevitable in reforestation sites.

While both field days are organised primarily for members of the ITGA, the association welcomes non-members. These should book in advance by emailing ITGA (info@itga.ie) who will supply full details of the events, including directions.

All events, which are free of charge, begin at 10am. The ITGA advises participants to bring a picnic lunch and wear suitable clothing and footwear.

Last week, Minister Creed announced the Department’s decision to open the Windblow Reconstitution Scheme. Under the scheme, the Forest Service will provide a maximum grant of €1,700/ha up to a total of 10ha, which “will be made available under the scheme to those private forest owners meeting the eligibility criteria,” according to the minister. The budget allocated to the scheme can provide funding in respect of a total of 2,000ha.

There are a number of instances where forest damage can occur through no fault of the owner or forester, especially windblow, fire and disease. In this regard, the grant to replant windblow forests was welcomed especially by those whose forests were devastated by Storm Darwin last February two years.

The Forest Service also provides a reconstitution grant for ash plantations destroyed by ash dieback disease caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. This grant can be as high as €6,500/ha comprising maximum grant aid of €1,500 for site clearance and destruction of diseased plants, and replanting grants paid in two instalments of up €5,000 for broadleaves and €3,300 for conifers.

Minister Creed reminded forest owners last week of the importance of insuring their forests. “While insurance is not compulsory, the financial interest of the forest owner is best served though a comprehensive insurance package and I encourage forest owners to safeguard their investment in their forests,” he said.

The Forest Service used to provide a reconstitution grant when forests were damaged by fire but forest owners are now expected to insure against fire. However, it is impossible to insure a forest against disease. The cost to insure against windblow if the forest is aged 20 years and over is prohibitive. So, the existing reconstitution grants are vital for owners who have suffered damage against disease and windblow.

It may be time to look at a comprehensive group insurance scheme to cover all growers for real losses caused by fire, disease and windblow.