While the full impact of this year’s drought has yet to be assessed in young plantations, early reports suggest that significant losses have occurred. A recent survey conducted in 57 affected sites by the Association of Irish Forestry Consultants (AIFC) reported that losses varied from 35% to 90%.

Prolonged dry conditions have resulted in some tree losses in the past such as 1995, but this is the first time in living memory that losses of this magnitude have occurred.

While a broader survey is required, the early results by AIFC cover 395ha of recently established plantations in 19 counties, comprising 314ha of conifers and 81ha of broadleaves.

For example, Gerard Moroney of Green Belt, who has been inspecting the company’s planting sites in the Cork-Kerry area, is discovering that plant mortality is varying considerably from site to site and species to species

Vegetation control is recommended to allow young trees establish quickly, but this year a number of sites without vegetation control are showing better results than treated areas, he claimed.

“We normally ensure that vegetation control is carried out in the spring so that young plants are free of weed competition during the first and second growing seasons,” he said.

“However, as the dry period continued from April through to June, we decided not to carry out vegetation control on some sites, which resulted in better moisture retention.”

While this didn’t solve the problem, in some grass prevalent sites with oak, the survival rate is over 60% without vegetation control. In contrast, survival is less than 40% where vegetation has been treated.

As the Green Belt team is surveying all sites, he said they are also identifying two-year-old plantations where trees have died or are under stress.

The issuing of Form 2 approvals (when the first grant and premium are due for payment after establishment) is now a major issue. Where Form 2s are rejected the forestry consultant or company will need to purchase plants and pay contractors for planting.

In reply to the Irish Farmers Journal query, a Department spokesperson said: “Early indications of the effects of drought conditions on forestry this summer are that there are some regional differences in tree survival with timing of planting also a factor. This will require further analysis after which measures, if any, to address the issue can be considered.”

All foresters contacted, say that a reconstitution grant should be introduced to cover the cost of replanting sites where losses have been incurred due to drought. They maintain that these sites should be treated similarly to sites suffering from agents outside the control of the forester or forest owner such as disease.

Insurance is not available in Ireland to cover tree losses due to drought.

Heavy tree losses in native woodland site

Declan Egan of Evergreen Forestry Services thought he had covered every eventuality establishing a 2.5ha native woodland in Ballyvolan outside the village of Newcastle in north Wicklow last year.

The plantation, established under the Native Woodland Scheme (NWS), was deer fenced and notch planted in autumn in ideal conditions. Sessile oak was chosen as the main species, covering 40% of the area, while the remaining species comprised Scots pine, birch, alder, hazel, rowan and holly.

Almost a year on, most of the species have failed despite the best care.

“The dry mineral soil is ideal for tree growing, but this has been an exceptional year beginning cold and followed by little or no rain since April,” he said.

When I visited the site, the owner Margaret Worrall who takes an active interest in the plantation, was inspecting what was left of the trees including a corner which she has designated as a local school planting project.

Had she regrets now in opting for forestry? While she would have wished for a thriving plantation, she believes she made the correct decision. She had realised by midsummer that the trees were in trouble.

“I had never seen this former grazing site turn brown to such an extent and remain like this for months,” she said.

“I opted for forestry as I wanted the woodland to be an extension of Ballyvolan forest in the background. The main reason was environmental so I chose native species, especially as this is a not-for-profit project.”

Declan Egan maintains that the Forest Service should introduce the reconstitution grant to cover the cost of plants and the expense of planting areas such a Ballyvolan.

“It is important that this is agreed for this autumn’s planting programme.

‘‘This will ensure that the plantation is fully established by next spring, so that the owner loses only one growing season,” he said.

First Knowledge Transfer Groups approved

Andrew Doyle, Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, has announced the approval of 52 new Knowledge Transfer Groups (KTGs) for forest owners. These have the capacity for over 1,000 participants, mainly farmers who will receive €490 for attending seven KTG meetings and field days.

“I am delighted to see the huge level of interest shown in these groups,” said Minister Doyle.

‘‘These will facilitate best practice and shared learning and aim to fill an identified knowledge gap in the forestry sector,’’ he said

‘‘KTGs in the forestry sector are being established to address barriers to timber mobilisation by encouraging higher levels of forest management activity,” Minister Doyle said.

Reopening of scheme

It is proposed to reopen the scheme in 2019 for another intake of applicants.

The establishment of the KTGs is one of the key initiatives under the midterm Review of the Forestry Programme 2014-2020.