Teagasc Broadleaf Management Walks

Teagasc and the Forest Service are running a series of Broadleaf Management Forestry Walks throughout the country during the month of June.

Speaking at the announcement of these Farm Forestry Walks, Dr. Nuala Ni Fhlatharta, Head, Teagasc Forestry Development Service said, “over the past 5 years farmers have planted approximately 15,000 hectares with broadleaves. There are now nearly 90,000 hectares of broadleaf woodlands in Ireland. This represents a major investment by farmers and others in planting good quality land and also by the State and EU in relation to funding”.

“Unless these broadleaves are well managed, particularly in the early years, they will never attain the quality necessary to produce profitable timber. The difference between a well managed crop destined for the furniture market and a poorly managed crop destined for the firewood market can be greater than €20,000 per hectare. It is essential that farmers having made the initial investment optimise the value of their crop by managing them to produce good quality timber”.

Continuing, the Teagasc Head of Forestry Development said, “These events will be held on farm forestry sites and the topics covered will include broadleaf shaping, tending, thinning and the general management necessary to produce quality timber in a sustainable manner. The walks are free and anybody with young broadleaf plantations should come along to see how to optimise the value of their broadleaf woodlands”.

“Farmers interested in attending should contact their local Teagasc Adviser for details of the walk nearest to them or check the Teagasc website at www.teagasc.ie“, concluded Dr. Ni. Fhlatharta”.

Ends

Issued by

Larry O’Loughlin, A/Head, Public Relations Department, Teagasc

Tel. 059 9183408; 087 2562434; Email: loloughlin@hq.teagasc.ie