Forest owners preparing for thinning, harvesting or clear-felling are being encouraged to plan ahead and adapt a whole-forest approach to maximise the value of their resource.

The advice was delivered at the Talking Timber 2026 event in the Charleville Park Hotel, Co Cork, on Tuesday 1 September.

Organised by Teagasc in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Forest Industries Ireland, the event brought together forest owners, researchers, timber processors, forest-owner representatives, service providers and taxation experts.

Good practice

The programme, themed 'Sustainably Increasing the Value of your Forest', focused on how good silviculture, timber quality, forest certification, available supports, market developments and financial planning can help boost the value of privately owned forests.

Opening the event, Teagasc director professor Frank O’Mara highlighted that 2026 marked the 15th year of the Talking Timber event and the research-based advisory supports available to forest owners.

Minister of State with responsibility for forestry Niall Collins said the event was a great opportunity to connect with the forestry sector and discuss supports available to them.

He also launched Teagasc’s new reforestation factsheet, which provides information to forest owners as they move from harvesting to replanting.

Timber quality

An outdoor timber quality presentation was delivered by Seán Kelly of Glennon Brothers Sawmills, representing Forest Industries Ireland. It outlined the timber characteristics sought by processors and how forest-management decisions can influence timber quality and value at harvest.

Teagasc forestry advisor and event organiser John Casey said the value of forest is created over many years,"Not simply at the point of sale".

"Timely assessment and interventions are important for all forests,” he added.

Teagasc forestry researcher Dr Niall Farrelly examined how site conditions, species choice and timely management influence productivity, timber quality and resilience. He emphasised the importance of the “right tree, right site, right management” approach.

Other speakers included Kathleen Lucey of the Irish Forest Owners; Ciaran Nugent, DAFM Forestry Inspector; Dr. David Gil-Moreno of DAFM; and Declan McEvoy, a tax consultant.

The overall message from the event was that the financial outcome from a forest is determined well before harvesting begins. Measuring the crop; managing timber quality; arranging access and licences; considering certification and grants; preparing for the market and planning reforestation can all increase its long-term value.