What shall we do with our hardwoods?

After almost a century of planting approximately 5% of our forests annually with hardwoods or broadleaves, forest owners now plant significant areas with hardwoods. The shift towards hardwoods began in the 1990s and gradually increased to 29% of all planting in 2004.

It peaked in the period 2008 to 2011 when annual planting of hardwoods averaged 37% of all planting.

Hardwood planting of mainly native species has declined in recent years and is now averaging 25% of all planting.

Growing hardwoods presents major silvicultural and marketing challenges to forest owners.

While growers of softwoods (mainly spruce and pine) find ready markets for thinnings and clearfells, the market for hardwoods is limited at the moment.

So, what are forest owners who have planted mainly hardwoods going to do with their crops over the coming decades? The Wood Marketing Federation and the Society of Irish Foresters have come together to organise a seminar scheduled for 27 May in Enfield to begin the debate on managing and marketing hardwoods, such as oak, beech, alder, sycamore and sweet chestnut.

Ash, although no longer planted since it has been attacked by Chalara fraxinea will also be discussed as it featured strongly in planting programmes over the past two decades before it was withdrawn as an approved species by the Forest Service.

The conference explores opportunities to add value to hardwoods throughout the growing, processing, and manufacturing chain. The organisers have aimed the conference at forest owners, especially those who have planted broadleaves. It will be of interest to grower or producer groups, foresters and forestry companies, researchers and State agencies.

Conference

The conference has special relevance for timber processors, end users including specifiers such as architects, engineers and designers, as well as wood workers and crafts people who value hardwoods for their aesthetic, strength and other qualities.

Registration fee for the one-day conference is €70 and includes morning coffee, refreshments and lunch, as well as an introductory booklet and programme and six speakers.

Cheques should be sent to: The Technical Director, Society of Irish Foresters, Glenealy, Co Wicklow.

For further information, contact Pat O’Sullivan (086-2582240, email info @soif.ie).

Timber 2015 gets under way in Co Laois

The organisers of Timber 2015, the forestry and bioenergy show report that all the exhibitors, demonstrators, competitors and caterers are now in place for this event, which takes place in Stradbally Hall, close to Stradbally, Co Laois this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 9 and 10 May.

The show begins each day at 9.30am and finishes at 5.30pm. The venue will be well signposted around Stradbally.

Timber 2015 will provide a mixture of business and forestry information, machine and other demonstrations, talks and competitions. Admission price is just €10 per person (children accompanied by an adult are free) and there is ample car parking which is free.

Tom Hayes, Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, launched the 2015 Forestry Awards last Friday in Dundrum, Co Tipperary. He said that the awards organised by the RDS and supported by the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine “are now open for entry for all forests, big and small”.

Changes to the 2015 criteria will broaden the appeal of the awards for foresters and forest owners. Awarded to the best-managed forests in Ireland, the three category winners will share a €10,000 prize fund.

The categories are production forestry, multi-purpose forestry and community woodland.

Another addition for this year is a new competition for the smaller commercial producer. “The Irish Forestry Awards provide an opportunity for forest owners to show how well they are managing their forests and to highlight their innovation and commitment to high standards of forest management,” said Minister Hayes.

Tom Kirley, RDS committee of agriculture chair, urged forest owners to enter. “Over the years, many applicants have found the judging process itself to be very worthwhile as forests are visited by experts which is a hugely beneficial process for forest managers and landowners,” he said.

Closing date

“With the closing date of 12 June looming fast, commercial foresters and community woodlands alike are encouraged to get their applications started,” Kirley said.

Judging will take place over the summer and the awards will be presented in October. Application forms are available on the RDS website: www.rds.ie/agriculture, via email at agriculture@rds.ie and by calling RDS agriculture on 01-240 7215.