Because of our fast tree growth rates in Ireland, most plantations are successfully established at year four. This is the year when the final grant of the Afforestation Programme is paid providing the plantation has sufficient stocking of healthy trees and is free of vegetation competition.

Afforestation

However, the plantation has still at least a further 11 years to go before the final annual premium payments expire and when fast-growing species reach first thinning. Continuous management is required as fast tree growth rates are also accompanied by rapid vegetation colonisation in Ireland, so slower growing trees may still need spot weed control after year four. In addition, the crop will require continuous inspection and management to ensure protection from disease, frost, fire, insect pest and mammal damage.

Some owners who haven’t kept in touch with their plantations have been disappointed when the expected yields have not materialised at first thinning stage due to poor stocking. Some owners have also discovered to their cost that the Forest Service annual premium payment may be put in jeopardy if the crop is not performing well during the premium period.

The Forest Service requires detailed Forest Management Plans (FMPs) for forests larger than 5ha. Payment of the 12th and subsequent premiums will be conditional on the receipt of an FMP and the plantation being up to the required standard.

Reforestation

The approach to forest establishment on afforestation sites should also apply to reforestation sites. Second and subsequent rotations receive no State aid so the cost of establishment is covered by the revenue of the clearfelled forest. While planting and vegetation control are broadly the same as afforestation, reforestation requires a different approach.

The site is more difficult to traverse and plant unless the lop and top is windrowed or removed for wood energy during the clearfell. While the site will be free of vegetation after planting, recolonisation of vegetation – especially woody plants such as furze, willow, briar and birch – can be aggressive within a short time.

In addition, virtually all reforestation sites are prone to pine weevil attack, which requires chemical control usually carried out in the nursery with one spot application required in the reforested site.

Challenges

Meeting the twin challenges of vegetation and weevil control is proving difficult on many reforestation sites.

While most sites are successfully reforested, instances of failure to achieve optimum stocking are occasionally visible around the country.

Even a small percentage of failures could have long-term repercussions on future timber production as close to 10,000ha of forests should be reforested annually in Ireland based on clearfelling licences issued by the Forest Service to Coillte and private forest owners since 2010 (Table 1).

How Clonad got reforestation right the first time

The forester and owner have the advantage of knowing how well the next rotation crop will perform based on the performance of the previous crop. If the previous crop performs well, then it is likely that the forester will recommend replanting with the same species as was illustrated at Clonad woodland, Co Offaly, during a recent field day.

Organised by the Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA) in association with the woodland owners, the Irish Forestry Unit Trust (IForUT), the large group was provided with an overview of the site and management plans by Donal Whelan, ITGA and Commercial Forestry Services, and IForUT staff Stacey Bradley, Darryn McDowell and Oisin Meagher

The existing Norway spruce crop in Clonad was planted in 1967 and 1970 in an old woodland site with specimen trees still surviving. Final harvesting has been phased in since 2012 with most of the Norway area to be clearfelled this year.

The owners were tempted to reforest with Sitka spruce which would produce a higher yield than Norway spruce and also reduce establishment costs as its initial growth outpaces vegetation competition. However, Norway spruce, has provided a top-quality crop, with a standing volume of 600m3/ha. It is also a species more in tune with the ancient woodland, as well as being more frost-resistant than Sitka, according to Donal Whelan. He outlined the reforestation programme, which included broadleaves especially the retention of existing native species.

The name of the woodland – Clonad, or Cluain Fhada translates as “long meadow” so vigorous vegetation growth was expected. Yet, despite initial slow growth rates of Norway, vegetation control has been carried out manually, without recourse to herbicides.

The area, planted in 2013 and 2015, is now virtually clear of competing vegetation. While limited spot application of cypermethrin was required for pine weevil control, Whelan said that a number of decisions were taken to ensure successful establishment. “We planted 2,700 trees per hectare – 200 more than the required number – and opted for larger nursery transplants in terms of size and root collar diameter,” he said.

The woodland has received independently verified forest certification which is demanding on staff resources but is now an inherent part of the IForUT management plan. Whelan paid tribute to Stacey Bradley who manages the certification programme.

Input

He maintained that one of the keys to the success of the Clonad reforestation programme has been the input by Mick Comerford, forestry contractor, who has worked in private and State forests for decades. “Mick and his colleagues provide continuity as they have strong links with the woodland in Clonad and understand the various operations needed for successful reforestation,” he said.