…e being made to improve the biodiversity of existing forests as well as in new plantations. Both new plantations and restock sites in existing forests are being designed in way that will make them more diverse in the future. Open space, mixed species, more broadleaves, retained habitats, riparian zones, long term retentions, deadwood, smaller felling coupes, delayed felling/restocking etc are some of the measures that are being used to create a mo…
…ns will make forests more susceptible to fires and older plantations may become more vulnerable than heretofore. As ground fires become more frequent and intense there are greater chances of these spreading into tree crowns causing serious damage to forest crops and protected habitats. Climate change can dramatically shift the current boundaries of insects and pathogens and modify tree physiology and tree defense mechanisms. Already the spread of…
…met with; I measured it in April 1792; at 1 foot from the ground it was 40 feet 6 inches round, and at five feet higher which is actually the smallest part of the trunk, it is a full 25 feet in circumference….. this massive stem is a full 9 feet high, but the enormous grossness of the branches at their springing from the bole, and the horizontal position which most of them immediately take, make the stem appear much shorter than it really is.” Rem…
…al vegetation control This is traditional method of maintaining the plants free from weed competition. A small scythe or hook is used to cut the vegetation around the plant. Alternatively, with tall grassy vegetation it is often sufficient to trample the area around the trees as the weeds, when flattened, remain on the ground. Manual weed control is labour intensive and therefore a costly operation. Depending on the site and weather conditions, it…
…nse of place’, and the benefits they create are enjoyed by local people. RESEARCH Research on forest recreation in Ireland is still at the very early stages. A report titled Forest Recreation Research Needs published by COFORD identifies current issues, gaps and the research required to support and develop this increasingly important aspect of the forestry sector. Interest in the economic contribution that recreation makes to a forest enterprise a…
…ese can occur in early September, but by that stage many species will have completed their year’s growth and are entering dormancy. Southern seed origins of Sitka spruce and Douglas fir, however, can remain growing late into the season can be affected, but these are rarely planted and only in the milder parts of the country. Early autumn frosts are more a problem for the nurseryman than the forester. Mild weather conditions at the end of the summe…
…e operator in the cab controls the movement of the machine and the onboard computer system can be programmed to cut the felled trees to the size and length specified by the customer (mills). Harvesters are expensive machines to set up and operate, and require large areas of felling before they become cost-effective. While able to operate very efficiently on many forest sites in Ireland they have their limitations. They are able to harvest stands v…
…etum and forestry training school. It describes the experimental plots and comments on the performance of the species tested and the contribution that the trials and training school have had on Irish forestry. BOOKS A History of Irish Forestry by Eoin Neeson This book covers a period of approximately 2,000 years, from Celtic Ireland to 1990. There is an introductory reference to the post-glacial period during which the ecological foundations were…