Forestry

Forestry

• Forestry Facts
  10% of land in Ireland is covered by forestry.
  75% of forestry in Ireland is coniferous.
  Coniferous species include Sitka spruce, Scots pine.
  25% of forestry is deciduous (native).
  Native species include oak, ash, birch, hazel, alder.
  30% of forestry planted now is deciduous.


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• Planting
  Choose saplings with straight stems, fibrous roots and a healthy terminal bud.
  Plant in mounds. Roots should not be exposed, and trees should not be planted into frozen soils.
  Plant broadleaves in Nov/Dec and all other species in spring at a rate of 2500 trees/ha.


• Fertilisation
  N, P and K are important in forestry fertilisation. Phosphorus in particular promotes good root development.
  it is applied in the form of ground rock phosphate.
  18-6-12 and 10-10-20 are commonly used as compound fertilisers.
  Apply between April and August and away from watercourses.


• Weed Control
  Weeds and scrub compete with saplings for resources such as water, nutrients and light.
  On a small-scale plantation scrub and weeds can be cut away from around trees.
  On a large-scale plantation herbicides can be used to control weeds.


• Harvesting
  There are two types of harvesting:
  Thinning
  –Removal of some trees from a plantation. This reduces competition between trees. Poorer quality trees are removed. The thinned trees can be used as a source of income.
  Clearfelling
  –Harvesting all the trees in an area. In Sitka spruce plantations this takes place when the trees are 40 years old.


• Benefits of Forestry
  Habitat for birds, plants and animals.
  Food source for animals.
  Income from sale of wood.
  Removes CO2 from atmosphere.
  Natural amenity, aesthetically pleasing.
  Reduces nutrient leaching on farms.
  Provides a shelterbelt for animals and shelters growing crops.