Forestry & Energy Review - Vol 8 Issue 1 Spring/Summer 2018

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MID TERM REVIEW

SUPPORT SCHEME FOR RENEWABLE HEAT

ROUNDWOOD MEASUREMENT

Forestry&Energy INCREASED GRANTS & ALTERED SPECIFICATIONS

EXPECT TO FINALISE APPLICATIONS IN 2018

>> SEE PAGE 44

>> SEE PAGE 66

Volume 8 Issue 1 Spring/Summer 2018 Price €3.95. £2.95 (Stg)

ARE APPS BETTER THAN TIMBER MEASUREMENT MANUAL? >> SEE PAGE 18

R E V I E W

THE VOICE OF FORESTRY & RENEWABLE ENERGY

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Forestry&Energy R E V I E W

Volume 8 Issue 1

Spring/Summer 2018

Foreword

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Features 18 MEASURING VOLUME IN ROUNDWOOD STACKS

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elcome to the Spring/Summer Edition of Forestry & Energy Review Magazine.

In this issue, we welcome the completion of the Mid Term Review and the alterations to the program that are aimed at addressing some of the shortcomings in the program at present. It aims to increase the percentage of broadleaf planted along with greater diversity of conifers. It also announces a pilot scheme for Knowledge Transfer Groups which have been effective in the dairy sector at widening and improving the knowledge base of farmers.

Tom Kent and his colleagues at WIT have done an evaluation of the roundwood measurement app “Timbeter”. It appears that while there are weaknesses in the system the developers are well on the way to providing a worthwhile measurement tool.

Niall Farrelly of Teagasc explains that good thinning practice adopted at first and second thinning should put more money in your pocket through the lifecycle of the forest’s life.This is based on research rather than anecdotal evidence.

Ted Wilson and his colleagues have outlined the benefits of Continuous Cover Forestry which also features in the Mid Term Review. In contrast with other areas Europe, Ireland and the UK fall behind in this category of forestry.

This type of forestry is believed to be more resilient in this era of climate change so may be worth considering where appropriate.

Forestry as a career can be varied and challenging and needs to be encouraged more widely. The uptake on college courses needs to be increased and it behoves us all work in that direction…

APF is round the corner if you haven’t planned your trip or booked your stand.

Foreword/Contents/Credits

An evaluation of the Timbeter mobile application, by Tom Kent, Kevin Fitzsimons & Adrian Redmond, Waterford Institute of Technology.

24 APF 2018 The UK’s Largest Forestry,Woodland,Trees and Timber Show.

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26 REASONS TO BECOME A FORESTER Forestry as a profession offers a wide range of opportunities and a varied and challenging career, writes Marie Doyle of UCD Forestry.

32 GOOD THINNING PRACTICE SHOWS INCREASED INCOME AND ENHANCES TIMBER QUALITY Teagasc forestry researcher, Dr Niall Farrelly, indicates that the removal of poor quality trees at first and second thinning is essential to focus production on trees with potential to achieve construction grade timber. It also puts more money in your pocket.

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38 TRANSFORMING SITKA SPRUCE PLANTATIONS TO CONTINUOUS COVER FORESTRY Identifying potential crop trees and regular thinning are the keys to successful transformation of plantations to resilient, continuous cover forests. By Edward Wilson, Ian Short, Áine Ní Dhubháin and Paddy Purser.

44 INTRODUCTION OF HIGHER FORESTRY GRANTS AND PREMIUMS The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is making available increased forestry grants and premiums.

50 TIMBER IN CONSTRUCTION, RECENT PUBLICATIONS Forest Sector Development Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, have recently released a number of publications on timber in construction. Brian Clifford discusses.

Until the next time………

66 SUPPORT SCHEME FOR RENEWABLE HEAT

The Publisher Forestry & Energy Review

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The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten TD, is introducing a national Support Scheme for Renewable Heat after securing Government approval.

Contributors: Distribution: Karl Coggins (Forest Service, Department of EM News Agriculture, Food and the Marine),Tom Kent, Kevin Newspread Enquiries: Fitzsimons & Adrian Redmond (Waterford Institute Editorial: Denis Lane of Technology), Marie Doyle (UCD Forestry), Dr. Niall Published by: Select Media Ltd, Tel. + 353 91 777222 Farrelly (Teagasc), Noel Kennedy (Teagasc), Edward Email: dlane@selectmedialtd.com Wilson (Teagasc Forestry, UCD Forestry), Ian Short 4–5 Burton Hall Road Advertising: James Small (Teagasc Forestry), Áine Ní Dhubháin (UCD Forestry), Sandyford, Dublin 18 Paddy Purser (Purser Tarleton Russell Ltd) Brian Clifford Tel. + 353 1 6622266 Design: John Barrett (DAFM), Ian Millward (APF International Forest Production: Emma Meade Email. info@selectmedialtd.com Machinery Exhibition), Joe Murphy.

The Publisher: Denis Lane

All material contained in this edition is copyright of Forestry and Energy Review 2018 and may not be reproduced or electronically stored without the permission of the publisher. However items may be freely reproduced provided the source is acknowledged. Content and views expressed in the publication do not necessarily represent those of the publishers.

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS TIMBER QUALITY IS KEY TO SELLING HARDWOOD TIMBER

Proceedings were opened by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Andrew Doyle T.D., followed Over one hundred and fifty forest owners attended the second by a demonstration of a Peterson portable sawmill.A series of short “Talking Hardwoods” – hardwood timber marketing event organised presentations were given, including the harvesting experiences of by the Teagasc Forestry Development Department last October in a private forest owner, Teagasc advice on broadleaf management, and the views of industry players on the management, harvesting Mitchelstown, Co Cork.

The take home message from the event was that quality of and requirements of hardwoods. Participants also availed of the management is key in the production of a valuable hardwood timber opportunity to view quality Irish hardwood products. crop, and quality is only achieved through appropriate management. In his address Minister Doyle acknowledged the importance of The higher the quality of timber, the more valuable and attractive it the event to bring together forest owners with broadleaf tree species in their forest plantations and the hardwood industry to will be to the timber purchasers and end-users.

Following a similar template to the successful “Talking Timber” learn and share information about the management, harvesting and events for conifers, ‘Talking Hardwoods’ presented an opportunity marketing of hardwoods. for broadleaf owners to find out more about managing their forests Dr. Nuala Ni Fhlatharta, Head of the Teagasc Forestry Development Department said, “In contrast to the conifer timber resource, almost and the options available to them in the future.

63% of the broadleaf resource is in private ownership. Many new Talking hardwoods Cork broadleaf woodland have been planted in Ireland since the early 1990s, with grant aid support.”

John Casey, Forestry Advisor with Teagasc and organiser of the “Talking Hardwoods” event added; “Many of these crops are now approaching first and second thinning stages. It was therefore timely for Teagasc to organise an event bringing together broadleaf growers and users of hardwood timber stimulating the development of this fledgling hardwood market in Ireland.”

Ailbhe Gerrard of Brookfield Farm, a private forest owner, felt that quality should be one of the key objectives in broadleaf management, with the aim to produce valuable hardwood timber at both the intermediate and mature crop stages.

Dr. Ian Short, Forestry Researcher with Teagasc would concur that when growing broadleaf trees, appropriate management results in the production of quality timber and increased crop value. Extensive research by Teagasc and others has developed appropriate silvicultural techniques, including formative shaping, high pruning, marking of the potential crop trees, and thinning at the correct stage and intensity.

Mark Twomey of the Forest Service DAFM, notes that 3 million m3 of broadleaf harvest volume is forecast to come on-stream in the period 2016 – 2035, made up of both thinning & mature harvests, with the average annual harvest volume ranging from 80,000 m3 to 243,000m3 as production fluctuates. Luke Middleton, Forest Service, reminded the audience that the felling of trees within a forest requires a licence under the Forestry Act 2014. However, some trees outside of the forest are exempt, such as hedgerow trees growing within 10m of a public road.

As crops develop through further thinning, it is envisaged that some of the logs from the removed trees will be suitable for higher value end uses. Both Mark Donnelly, sawmiller, and Dermot O’Donovan of GMIT Letterfrack, felt that there are great opportunities to add value to small-diameter timber in fields of innovation and design, in addition the potential of well managed large diameter broadleaf timber.

Throughout the event forest owners had opportunities to talk and network with a range of organisations including hardwood users and buyers, contractors, foresters, forestry equipment and research/educational institutions who had stands at the event.

The photograph shows Eoin O’Connell of Arborist Tree Services with Minister of State Andrew Doyle TD and Professor Gerry Boyle, Teagasc Director presenting a freshly sawn beech plank to teacher Paddy Crowley and woodwork students of Coláiste an Chraoibhín, Fermoy, Co Cork at the Talking Hardwoods event. The event was organised by John Casey, Forestry Development Department.

For more information please contact John Casey, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer 076 1114588 or 087 2242283.

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS ONE TO ONE FORESTRY CLINICS During the Autumn Teagasc Forestry Development Department completed a second series of nationwide One to One forestry advisory clinics to provide advice to landowners on all aspects of forestry.

Over nine hundred clinic consultations were held during 2017 reflecting both a strong interest in planting land and getting the best from existing plantations.

A land use change to forestry, like any new farm enterprise, will raise many questions. Similarly for forest owners there can be many questions about managing their trees and selling timber.

The One to One clinics provide farmers and forest owners alike an opportunity to avail of independent and objective advice from a Teagasc forestry adviser in a confidential setting, empowering them to make important informed decisions on many relevant issues.

An analysis of the clinics showed that there were 911 consultations in total. Of these 51% (469) of attendees had primarily afforestation queries and 49% (442) attended clinics with questions other than afforestation (mainly thinning queries). 80% of those attending the clinics stated they were actively farming.

Clinics in counties Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Clare had the highest number of consultations followed by Tipperary and Cork.

During consultations the main focus of advice was support available under the current Forestry Programme. This offers landowners and forest owners many options in relation to forest establishment and forest management with a range of attractive grants and annual premium categories available for both new planting and managing plantations.

Advice was provided on a range of topics including: • Afforestation grants and premiums • Interaction with other farm schemes, e.g. BPS, GLAS, ANC etc.

• How to apply and get the job done right first time • Planning for thinning

FIELD DAY FOR TRALEE IT STUDENTS

• Felling licences and forest road grants • How forestry can improve farm income and the environment Teagasc forestry advisers are available for confidential One to One office consultations. To book an appointment with a forestry adviser contact your local Teagasc office or find the contact details of your local adviser at https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/staff/

TALKING TIMBER – LINKING FOREST OWNERS WITH TIMBER BUYERS Teagasc Talking Timber marketing events again attracted large attendances in the autumn. The events offer a unique networking opportunity where the owners of conifer forests with timber to sell can meet the timber buying sector and wider timber industry.

Organised by Teagasc Forestry Development Department in collaboration with the timber industry and DAFM the two events were held in Teagasc Agricultural College, Ballyhaise, Co.Cavan and Horse and Jockey, Co.Tipperary.

The events attracted over 400 forest owners looking for information and advice how best to go about managing their forests and get the most from selling their timber.

Once again there was a strong representation from the forest and timber processing sector including IFFPA (Irish Forest and Forest Products Association) who were present with over forty trade stands promoting a range of management, harvesting and timber purchasing services to the assembled forest owners.

For the first time there were a number of stands from third level educational and research organisations including UCD Forestry, NUI Galway Engineering Department, WIT, GMIT Letterfrack, Forestry education - Teagasc Ballyhaise and Teagasc forestry research – all highlighting their research projects and course options.

NATIONAL TEAGASC FORESTRY EVENTS CALENDAR 2018

Pictured are Level 8 Agricultural Science Students from Tralee IT on a field day in County Kerry focusing on “forestry as a complementary farm land use: direct and indirect on-farm benefits”.

Field day was organised by Jonathan Spazzi, Teagasc Forestry Adviser with the assistance of the Forest Service (DAFM) and Tralee IT. Also in the picture are local Forest Service (DAFM) inspector Ciaran Nugent, lecturer Cathal Buckley and Principal Noel Mulligan of the Department of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences within the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics at Tralee IT.

Field Day for Tralee IT Students

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For more on Teagasc forestry events and general information check the Teagasc website www.teagasc.ie/forestry

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS The Talking Timber event in Horse and Jockey was opened by Minister Andrew Doyle TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. In his address the Minister noted the forecast huge increase in harvesting of timber from private forests which if properly managed can make a huge contribution to the local economies of rural communities throughout Ireland.

As well as taking advantage of the excellent networking opportunities to make contact with timber buyers in their locality and to put a face to the name and the service they can provide, forest owners also saw an outdoor demonstration of logs and discussion on log quality issues organised by IFFPA. A series of short presentations covered a range of issues from optimising forest management to the impact of Brexit on forest owners.

The presentations from Talking Timber 2017 as well as other Teagasc A crowded Teagasc forestry marquee in the Forestry and forestry videos are available to view on the Teagasc Forestry YouTube Sustainable Living Village at Tullamore Show 2017 channel. other hi-tech forestry machinery.As the private forest industry continues to develop, it contributes more and more to our rural economy with SUCCESSFUL FORESTRY AND SUSTAINABLE opportunities to enhance family farm income particularly through LIVING VILLAGE AT TULLAMORE SHOW 2017 new afforestation, timber sales and wood energy not to mention the The Tullamore Show is established as Ireland’s largest one day massive environmental and climate change benefits. premier agricultural event. Last August’s Show was another huge A visit to the Forestry Village in Tullamore provided an excellent success with over 60,000 visitors and once again the Forestry and opportunity to meet key players from the forestry sector and learn Sustainable Living Village, organised by Liam Kelly from Teagasc’s more about this vibrant industry. With all aspects of the forest Forestry Development Department and his team, proved a popular industry on display, this proved to be a great opportunity to avail of attraction offering a trade stands section showcasing all facets of free, comprehensive advice with the latest information on forestry Ireland’s rapidly developing farm forestry and renewable energy and renewable energy. sectors.

The Forestry and Sustainable Living Village returns to this An impressive number of forestry and renewable energy organisations year’s Tullamore Show on Sunday 12th August 2018. For and companies were present this year; ranging from tree nurseries, forestry more information contact Liam Kelly, Teagasc Forestry consultants, companies and state agencies to firewood processors and Development Officer at liam.kelly@teagasc.ie

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS

A live demonstration of upland management techniques such as tractor-mounted mulching and controlled burning was of In November Cork Wildfire Co-operative Group (CWCG), in particular interest to landowners. conjunction with Teagasc Forestry Development Department and All members of the CWCG found that there was great benefit to the Forest Service, DAFM organised an upland management event, hearing farmers’ feedback of what techniques they felt was including a controlled burning demonstration in the Millstreet feasible and practical. The day began with a short introduction by Country Park, Millstreet, Co. Cork.

Eugene Curran, chairperson of the CWCG, on the background and The nature, extent and frequency of land burning, and the habitats goals of the co-operative group. There was a topical update on in which this activity occurs are contentious issues and impact on farm security by Diarmuid Cronin of Muintir na Tíre and Garda overall land productivity.

Sgt. Ian O’Callaghan. John Ballinger of Duhallow IRD RaptorLIFE Reconciling the differing objectives of farming, forestry, safety, project then gave a very interesting talk on upland ecology. conservation, public recreation and limited emergency resources This was followed by short presentations from Anthony Dineen requires a clear understanding of each of these objectives and and John Casey, local Teagasc forestry adviser, on upland management respective perceptions. issues such as sustainable sheep & cattle grazing in hill areas and The emphasis on the day was on best practice and a co-operative controlled burning as part of upland management. approach to upland management.

UPLAND MANAGEMENT EVENT – PROTECTING LANDS, FORESTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

T

treeDimensions

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FORESTRY EQUIPMENT Con has a lifetime of experience working in forestry. He's worked with some of the best small scale harvesting suppliers in all of Europe and can supply the equipment that you need.

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He'll advise so you make the most of your forest. Whether you want to get started or take back control from someone managing it for you, get in touch.

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS Ciarán Nugent, Forest Service, DAFM, presented at a controlled burning demonstration highlighting (See photo on page 10)

• The need to prepare a fire plan • How to prepare a site • The need for suitable weather conditions • How to prepare fire breaks

vegetation can be done in a safe way while working within the legislative framework that currently exists.

Group participants to date include the IFA, Teagasc, the Forest Service, DAFM, An Garda Síochána, Muintir na Tíre, local authorities, Cork Environmental Forum, Fire and Rescue Services, the NPWS and Coillte.

There continues to be a very strong emphasis on cooperation between the landowners and state agencies as well as developing a shared understanding of the issues and opportunities to work together.

• Techniques to manage and control a fire

TEAGASC HOSTS FOREST OWNERS GROUP

There was an opportunity for attendees to talk at information WORKSHOP stands to private and state bodies, ranging from FBD and The annual Forest Owners Group Workshop, facilitated by the farming organisations to the Fire Service, following the burn Teagasc Forestry Development Department, was held last demonstration.

Since 2011, the Cork Wildfire Co-operative Group (CWCG) November in Tullamore. have organised localised prescribed burning training & demonstrations The workshop, attended by representatives from twelve active and have conducted bi-annual media campaigns using local Forest Owners Groups and staff from Teagasc and Forest Service, papers, posters, radio and meetings as a way of reaching land–owners DAFM once again was successful in providing an important and and informing them of the inherent dangers, and the legislative popular networking forum to share practical and business frame works that all parties have to work within. Multi-agency experiences and information to help in their forest enterprise and fire training and awareness events have also been held in Kerry, group development. It also provided for constructive dialogue with Teagasc which will contribute to the design of future events and Wicklow, Laois and Louth.

The CWCG, in conjunction with the Kerry Wildfire Interagency elements of business planning to optimise technical support to the Group, have led discussions on how the burning of mountain Groups.

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

KOMATSU FOREST DISTRIBUTOR MCHALE PLANT SALES In the short period since its appointment to represent Komatsu Forest timber harvesting equipment in Ireland, north and south, McHale Plant Sales has brought to timber contractors the extensive knowledge, experience and expertise required to be a successful Komatsu distributor.

A

The Komatsu wheeled harvester – one of the high-profile models in the Komatsu Forest machinery range to be marketed in Ireland by McHale Plant Sales.

ppointed Komatsu Forest distributors in late 2017, the Rathcoole and Birdhill based company enjoys a relationship with the Japanese manufacturer that dates back almost quarter of a century. Over 24 plus years, McHale and its team have accumulated an in-depth knowledge of Komatsu, its products, technology, and standards in customer support.

To that end, they have put in place an efficient and effective sales, parts supply and technical support structure to meet the requirements of customers in civil works and construction – support that is now being applied to the forestry sector.

Applying that experience to the timber sector, McHale has got its new, expanded role with the acclaimed Japanese manufacturer off to an impressive beginning.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT Serviced through its two, geographically well positioned centres – one in Rathcoole, covering the east, midlands and Northern Ireland, and the other in Birdhill, covering the south, mid-west and west – McHale maintains a fully-functioning customer support infrastructure.

These include spare parts stores and distribution facilities, strategically focused on delivering fast parts replacement in the event of breakdown. Working in support are in-house technicians and maintenance facilities in Rathcoole and Birdhill, backed up in the field by a team of mobile service units. In addition, through its close links with all major finance houses, McHale can provide important support to customers with advice in packaging finance plans and with introductions aimed at securing the most attractive and beneficial arrangements.

“Our focus throughout will be to ensure Komatsu consolidates its position as number one choice for forestry machines in Ireland” From a standing start, the company has already recorded a number of high-profile sales to customers in both N. Ireland and the Republic.

MARKETING

Indicative of the close relationship existing between McHale and Komatsu was a recent visit to its Rathcoole base by a delegation from Komatsu Forest led by its president and chief executive officer. There, COMPLETE RANGE they heard details of the marketing drive McHale has planned for Well-known to timber producers across the globe, Komatsu Komatsu Forest, including a strong presence on all major events Forest manufactures and markets a complete range of machines and platforms. and attachments used in the timber harvesting industry – a field Endorsing comments made by director, Michael McHale at the time in which they pioneered the development of mechanised logging of their appointment, McHale sales director, John O’Brien says: equipment.

“Responding to the exciting opportunities and challenges our Owned by Komatsu of Japan, and headquartered in Sweden, appointment to represent Komatsu Forest presents, our focus Komatsu Forest machinery – in its distinctive red livery - includes throughout will be to ensure Komatsu consolidates its position as harvesters used for felling, stripping and preparing timber for number one choice for forestry machines in Ireland.” processing, and forwarders used to transfer the cut timber within For further information please visit the forest for onwards transportation to the sawmill. www.mchaleplantsales.com.

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS

APF 2018 NEWS APF 2018 announces it has just booked in its 200th exhibitor for this year’s event on the 20/21/22nd September this year at Ragley Estate, Alcester, Warwickshire.

I

t is the UK’s largest forestry, woodland, tree and timber event.

Exhibition Secretary, Ian Millward urged other companies who have not yet booked to do so quickly while space is still available.

Ian commented that sites were far cheaper than many other shows. A 15m x 12m static stand is just £1230 + VAT. Booking forms, maps showing remaining space and a list of current exhibitors can be found in the exhibitor section of the website www.apfexhibition.co.uk.

The online ticket page is easy and simple to navigate enabling the visitor to buy discounted advance tickets and book onsite camping.

Visitors will be able to print out their tickets online and use the pre–paid ticket gates at the event for speedy entry to the show.

Entries have opened for the European Chainsaw Carving Championships sponsored by A W Jenkinson and Tilhill Forestry.

There are 25 places available for Europe’s top carvers and the successful 25 will be chosen based on previous experience and

“If you have never been to an APF exhibition then take a look at the video of previous events in the visitor section to see what you have been missing as either a visitor or exhibitor” The new APF website has just been launched at the following address: www.apfexhibition.co.uk. The new website is easy to navigate and has far more visitor and exhibitor information than ever before. If you have never been to an APF exhibition then take a look at the video of previous events in the visitor section to see what you have been missing as either a visitor or exhibitor.

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results at other competitions. Exhibition Secretary said that carvers from all over Europe have competed in the past but none so far from Ireland.

Ian encouraged any Irish carvers to apply before the closing date of 5th May. An entry form and rules are in the Competitions & events section of the website www.apfexhibition.co.uk

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ROUNDWOOD MEASUREMENT

MEASURING VOLUME IN ROUNDWOOD STACKS An evaluation of the Timbeter mobile application, by Tom Kent, Kevin Fitzsimons & Adrian Redmond, Waterford Institute of Technology.

Figure 1. Harvested roundwood is concentrated on the forest roadside in high stacks of different length and diameter product assortments.

ROUNDWOOD QUANTIFICATION

processes are used daily allowing three million cubic metres of roundwood to be traded in the Irish forest sector annually. New technology may have a role in increasing volume estimation accuracy, reducing measurement cost or may provide more useful information as a co-product of measurement. Forestry students and staff at Waterford Institute of Technology carried out an evaluation of a photogrammetry app for roundwood stack measurement called Timbeter.

Roundwood measurement involves quantification of many pieces of large, bulky, variable material, often under difficult circumstances of location and weather. Timber measurement can therefore be a very difficult task to carry out and can be labour intensive and time consuming. Sampling and estimation is generally used to minimise costs, following agreed procedures and conventions to ensure reproducibility. Generally roundwood is quantified by volume, as this parameter is also used to determine forest Figure 2. Logs may be obscured by vegetation. productivity and tree growth increment. Also, harvesting operation productivity and cost is mainly influenced by standing tree volume and roundwood assortment dimensions. Roundwood that will be processed into sawn timber is valued by volume, where log volume and quality influence wood processing costs and conversion efficiency.

Most importantly, trade or the interaction between buyer and seller is made possible by having an agreed quantification of the material being traded. Both parties must be confident that the valuation is fair. Since 1999, the Irish forest sector has relied on the Timber Measurement Manual, produced by COFORD, for standard procedures of roundwood measurement for sales purposes.

This manual describes a range of measurement processes for quantifying standing and harvested round timber and these

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ROUNDWOOD MEASUREMENT

Figure 3. Large stacks may be measured by stitching multiple photos into a composite image.

In practice, when the app is activated, the user is prompted for species, a stack identifier and log assortment length. A one metre Timbeter is an app, for Android and iOS smart phones and tablets, measuring stick is placed on the stack face as a scale and the user is using several pieces of technology built into the device to create a report with a volume quantification of one or more roundwood prompted to tilt the tablet level in order to take the photo at the stacks.Volume is quantified using photogrammetry: the determination correct angle. Once the photo is captured, the user can then of measurements from photographs. GPS is used to tag the photo draw in the stack boundary giving the outline shape of the stack face. The user identifies the metre scale on the photo and then and measurement so the stack location is recorded. Gathered the cross-sectional area and diameter of each log is automatically information is stored securely via an internet connection. identified by the app. The app generates a report form with log Figure 4. Loose logs left behind after road haulage. count, diameter distribution, total volume and solid volume factor for the stack. The stack photo and location are also recorded. This is immediately accessible in the field and can be viewed and revised over the internet.

TIMBETER MOBILE APPLICATION

INITIAL EVALUATION The initial evaluation was to examine the app in practice and become familiar with its functionality and limitations. The app was loaded onto an Android tablet and brought out to a forest property in Co. Waterford which had been clearfelled and had

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ROUNDWOOD MEASUREMENT Figure 5. Individual logs may be missed or scaled incorrectly, so manual corrections may be needed.

stacks of various roundwood assortments at roadside. Several stacks were measured according to the instructions and volume estimates were produced rapidly on site. The app was also used on roundwood loaded on a forwarder and timber truck. However, some problems became apparent immediately. These problems were described to Timbeter and the company responded with a reply and solution to each.

Stacks were often placed in undergrowth, so that many logs were hidden by vegetation. In places, the bottom logs in the stack were below the forest road level (Figure 2).

The company responded by recommending that the visible portion of the stack be measured as normal, and then the stack gross volume be adjusted to include the depth of hidden logs.

This appeared to work in practice. Also, sometimes a small number of logs were left behind after most logs in a stack were already

be reviewed without excess light on the screen. Log ends were sometimes missed, or incorrectly scaled (Figure 5). In those cases the user should manually insert log ends and adjust incorrectly scaled logs, which was easy to carry out on the user interface.

Several positive factors were identified after this initial test.

Timbeter was fast and not difficult to use, but did require practice to become familiar with the interface and the various functions. The app worked particularly well on roundwood stacked on the forwarder and timber truck, as all log ends were clearly visible (Figure 6). Reports were automatically generated and included a map where each photo was taken, a time stamp and the processed images with log diameters. Overall, the report provided strong evidence of the existence of the timber measured.

The main uncertainty was the accuracy of the volume estimates, either due to limitations in the photogrammetry process or

“The app generates a report form with log count, diameter distribution, total volume and solid volume factor for the stack” hauled off site (Figure 4). Timbeter recommended that these be counted and added manually. This was not so easy to do on site.

Some stacks were over four metres in height and there was insufficient space on the road to stand back far enough in order to take a photo of the entire stack height. The response was to use the stitching function to take up to twelve photos of the stack face that would be automatically processed to produce one composite image of the entire stack (Figure 3). Other issues only became apparent once indoors when the processed images could

human error in implementing the measurement process in the field. Some simple procedures were identified to reduce human error. The app should be used on a tablet rather than smart phone in order to have a larger image and greater sensitivity in using the touch screen to adjust parameters precisely.

Alternatively, only the photos should be taken in the field by smart phone, and the review of each photo and other processes to complete the measurement procedure should be completed in the office.

Figure 7. A quadrat used to estimate the solid volume factor in the Stack Measurement Method

Figure 6. The app could be very useful for monitoring harvesting operation production

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ROUNDWOOD MEASUREMENT volume in a roadside stack, determined by the Timbeter app was the same or different to that determined using the stack measurement procedure. As both methods involved log end diameter measurement, a second objective was to determine if log end diameter, measured in centimetres, varied between the app and direct measurement with a tape.

STACK MEASUREMENT AND SOLID VOLUME FACTOR

Figure 8. Log diameter (cm) measured directly by tape and photogrammetrically with the Timbeter app.

COMPARATIVE STUDY A study was carried out to evaluate the accuracy of the Timbeter app. This seemed like a straight-forward matter, but absolute accuracy or the true volume of a large stack of roundwood would require total immersion of all roundwood pieces into water and volume measurement by displacement or laser scanning. The resources for such a study were not available. Instead, the Timbeter app accuracy was compared against the stack measurement method.

Stack measurement is a standard procedure described in the Timber Measurement Manual and accepted by Irish forest industry, as a method for quantifying roundwood volume for sales purposes.

The main objective of the study was to determine if roundwood

Stack measurement has two parts: measurement of the gross stack volume inclusive of the air space around each roundwood piece, and; determination of a solid volume factor which expresses the proportion of solid roundwood volume within stack. The net volume of roundwood within the stack is then calculated as the product of the gross stack volume and solid volume factor. Gross stack volume is the product of the roundwood assortment length, the stack length and average stack height. Standard measurement conventions are described for each of these parameters. The solid volume factor is determined by estimating the surface area of log ends as a proportion of the surface area of samples of the stack face on both sides of the stack. These samples are defined by a frame or quadrat of known surface area placed against the stack face (Figure 7). Log ends within the sample are measured for overbark diameter and the surface area of each is calculated.

STUDY METHOD Six roundwood stacks of pulp assortment logs were measured for volume using the stack measurement method following the procedures described in the Timber Measurement Manual. Many

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ROUNDWOOD MEASUREMENT log ends and a difference of 2 cm in diameter in four cases. Figure 8 below graphs the Timbeter estimate of diameters against the actual measured diameters, showing the generally strong correlation.

Statistical analysis again indicated no difference between methods.

This study concluded that the Timbeter app measured roundwood volume to an accuracy equivalent to that which could be obtained by following the stack measurement procedure. The application also estimated log end diameters to a similar level of accuracy to direct measurement by tape.

RECOMMENDATIONS As timber harvesting increases in Ireland, and as more forest owners become involved in roundwood supply, there is a need for broader understanding of measurement processes and procedures.

The Timber Measurement Manual could be revised or expanded to include agreed standard procedures implementing new technology.

Platforms, like the Timbeter app, may reduce measurement cost through greater speed and efficiency, and may improve supply chain transparency by making more information readily available.

This may be the greater benefit of applying new technology: having a wealth of information incorporating photos, unique time stamps and location co-ordinates providing an evidence trail for chain of custody that can be made accessible to all stakeholders.

Figure 9. This system provides evidence for chain of custody: a date and time stamp and GPS co-ordinate in addition to the photo and volume quantification.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

• The Timber Measurement Manual can be downloaded here: http://www.coford.ie/media/coford/content/publications/project logs were crooked so that logs were not packed tight in patches. reports/TimberMeasurementManual.pdf Also stacking quality was variable so that the stack face was not • The Timbeter app can be found here: http://www.timbeter.com/ completely even, meaning some logs were obscured by other • Information on forestry at Waterford Institute of Technology logs sticking out. The same six stacks were measured using the can be found here: www.wit.ie/wd076 Timbeter app loaded on an Android tablet, where each stack could be contained within one photo, so the stitching function AUTHORS: was not needed. Each photo was checked to ensure that log ends • Tom Kent is Programme Leader of the BSc in Forestry, WIT were identified correctly. Missing and incorrectly scaled log ends • Kevin Fitzsimons & Adrian Redmond are graduates of the BSc were manually adjusted using the app interface. Also, 71 individual in Forestry and BSc (Hons.) in Land Management in Forestry, WIT log end diameters, rounded to the nearest whole centimetre, were measured by tape. Each log end was marked with paint so ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: that these same logs could be identified on the photo and the The authors wish to thank Mr. Willie Houlihan and Mr. Denis Twomey for patiently hosting us on-site and the Timbeter team diameter, determined at the Timbeter app, could be recorded. for patiently answering our questions.

RESULTS Table 1. Volumes of six stacks measured using the Stack The net roundwood volume of the six stacks ranged from 124 Measurement procedure and the Timbeter app. to 188 cubic metres when measured by the stack measurement procedure. The total roundwood volume of the six stacks was 944 m3. The stack volumes determined by the Timbeter app ranged from 121 to 187 m3, with a total roundwood volume of 936 m3. The results for each stack are described in Table 1 below.

In two stacks, there was no difference in stack volume between the two measurement methods. There was a volume difference of 1% in two stacks and a difference of 2% in two stacks. Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference between methods, based on the six stack volumes.

The log end diameters ranged from 7 cm to 27 cm when measured directly by tape. The same log ends ranged from 5 cm to 27 cm when measured using the Timbeter app. There was no difference in diameter in 45 log ends, a difference of 1 cm in diameter in 22

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE The show has become an essential meeting place for networking, for manufacturers to seek new distributors and a place to meet old colleagues to catch up on news. It is the place to come to see the very latest in machinery and compare different manufacturers side by side. There will hardly be a machine out there that will The UK’s Largest Forestry, Woodland, Trees not be shown demonstrated at the event. Dealers report a dip in sales in the run up to the event as buyers wait until the show and Timber Show before making purchasing decisions. The show is of equal importance to both the forestry and arboricultural sectors. It is not just about the big forest machines but the smaller machines and equipment used day to day in tree surgery businesses across the UK. Recent shows have also become increasingly important for the farming sector. It is one of the few events where machines can be seen working and with increasing emphasis on the environment and maximising farm returns there are a lot of machines designed for smaller woodlands, firewood processors, mobile sawbenches, fencing equipment and biomass production to add value to woods and timber on farms.

When the serious business of buying machinery is done there is a host of other features to enjoy. The Husqvarna World 25m poleclimbing championships return with 50 of the world’s best climbers competing for the world crown. 25 of Europe’s finest chainsaw carvers compete in the A W Jenkinson and Tilhill European chainsaw carving championships.

Will we see an Irish competitor for the first time this year? We welcome the return of Stihl Timbersports for the first time since 2008 as Europe’s top lumberjacks warm up for the world championships s a new year dawns it is time to look forward to this year’s later in the year in Liverpool. major event of the forestry, woodland and arboricultural There will be the UK’s largest demonstration of traditional wood– sectors, APF 2018. APF 2018 is by far the UK’s largest land crafts, everything from charcoal to coracle making. The UK exhibition for the tree and timber industries. In 2016 it attracted forwarder driving championships supported by Komatsu will take 320 exhibitors and over 22500 visitors from all over the UK, Ireland place to find the UK’s best operator. A new feature for 2018 will and Europe. be the ‘Fencing in The 21st Century Arena’. There will be daily It is returning once again to Ragley Estate, Alcester, Warwickshire demonstrations on the very latest machinery, equipment, materials on the 20/21/22nd September. The show is ideally located in central and techniques by leading manufacturers. The Forest Worker Zone England with easy access from main motorways and only 40km south will see a series of short, practical, drop-in sessions aimed specifically of Birmingham International airport.For those that have not yet been at the forest worker and contractor with subjects as varied as chainsaw to the show it has two main areas, a static display area and a 2km maintenance, avoiding back pain, accessing grants for machinery and demonstration circuit through both open fields and within woodland many others with opportunities for one to one discussions. For the where exhibitors can show their machines and equipment working arborist there will be a similar zone devoted to the tree climber and in realistic operating conditions. With exhibitors on both sides of the latest in techniques, equipment, safety and training. the circuit that is 4km and over £30 million of working machinery There is far too much to do in one day. There is camping available on site on show in addition to the 130 plus stands on the static display area. and a wide range of other local accommodation to suit all budgets. Tickets Exhibition Secretary, Ian Millward, commented “In 2016 we saw an are just £18 in advance or can be bought on the gate at £22. increase of 15% in exhibitor numbers and 25% in visitor numbers.

Tickets and camping can be booked online on our website The show really has become the ‘must see’ event of the year. To where a host of other information on current exhibitors, how to

APF 2018

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“The show really has become the ‘must see’ event of the year” cope with demand from exhibitors we have increased the size of the static area for 2018 and already, 9 months before the show, we have over 200 exhibitors booked for this year. APF 2018 is already shaping up to exceed those numbers”.

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book a stand, maps, accommodation, a programme of events, travel details etc. can be found at www.apfexhibition.co.uk.

For further information you can contact the Exhibition Secretary on email: info@apfexhibition.co.uk or Tel: +44 1428 723545

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FORESTRY JOBS

REASONS TO BECOME A FORESTER

Photo: Marie Doyle

Forestry as a profession offers a wide range of opportunities and a varied and challenging career, writes Marie Doyle of UCD Forestry.

BACKGROUND

internationally; many of these products are accredited to internationally

All land management systems have evolved significantly since then and now embrace the concept of sustainable management.

Forestry is no different and our forests, while undoubtedly still plantations, are now more diverse than ever and include a mix of species, ages and open spaces. Our management seeks to protect water courses, habitats, landscape integrity, carbon stocks, cultural features, provide opportunities for recreation and sustain, where appropriate, timber production capacity.

Forestry is a highly innovative sector that employs advanced technological applications in forest planning and management and in product development. A high proportion of the output from Irish forests is exported and our products are well regarded

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Photo: Mark Woulfe

recognised sustainability standards.

There are about 750,000 hectares of land in Ireland that are However, most people are unfamiliar with what being a forester classified as forest. In the early years of the state, Government actually entails. We’re not routinely out wielding axes nor spending policy concentrated on expanding the State-owned resource, but endless days roaming the forests. For most foresters, there’s a since the 1980s it has focussed on supporting the development healthy mix between being out and about and office-based work. of privately owned forests. Our forest cover has increased from The decisions we make include matching tree species with site 1% in the early 1900s to almost 11% today and between the State conditions, deciding on appropriate management interventions, and private growers. planning roading, harvesting and reforestation operations, and The majority of this expanded forest cover can reasonably be categorised as ‘plantation forest’ as what was undertaken was the protecting the forests’ health and vitality. We consult with forest systemic creation of forest on land that was not previously afforested – owners, contractors, wood processors, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders. It’s certainly not as simple as ‘stick the tree in at least not in the immediate past. Largely speaking, the species used in the afforestation programme were exotic species of north the ground and walk away for 40 years’.

There are now approximately 19,000 forest owners in Ireland western American origin – predominately Sitka spruce and lodgepole and forecasts predict that net realisable timber volume for the pine. Early forestry efforts were confined to the most marginal of land as Government policy sought to safeguard the country’s capacity island of Ireland will almost double between now and 2035. to produce food. The inherent value and fragility of open, treeless While national afforestation targets have been revised downwards in recent years, an average of 6,000 hectares of new forests are blanket peatland was, at the time, unknown. Similarly, the potential impact of forestry operations (as well as those of other agricultural planted annually. To use the cliché ‘forestry is a growing industry’ is almost excusable… There’s a real need for forestry professionals enterprises) on sedimentation and run-off into aquatic systems was not well understood. Far from this being viewed as a simple, right across the industry from nursery production to afforestation, management, harvesting and throughout the processing sector. So blanket covering of monocultures, these early efforts should be lauded as a successful and innovative undertaking. These pioneer why then has it been necessary to establish the ‘Forestry Careers foresters successfully identified species and developed management Group’ - an industry-wide initiative to promote forestry as a techniques that ensured the survival and good growth of forests career? Why aren’t we being trampled by a stampede of eager applicants to our forestry degree programme? in quite inhospitable conditions.

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FORESTRY JOBS

Photo: Marie Doyle

Possible explanations include the (lack of) visibility of the forestry sector and how we engage with other landuse sectors.

While forestry has been expanding over the last several years, the rate of change has facilitated maintaining the close links and sense of community that foresters value. However, perhaps this has in some ways insulated/isolated us from other landuse enterprises.

Companies seeking to recruit foresters are more likely to send a notification through the Society of Irish Foresters than place an advertisement in the Farmer’s Journal and while it’s undoubtedly a great service, it means that the constant flow (ok, perhaps in relative terms, it’s a trickle…) of jobs is unseen in the wider agricultural community.

The Agricultural Science Association (ASA) is ‘the professional body for graduates in agricultural, horticultural, forestry, environmental and food science’ and is extremely active and highly

Photo: Mark Woulfe

SO, HOW COME ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF STUDENTS WANT TO BECOME FORESTERS?

relevant in many areas of general agriculture yet it is not an organisation that many Foresters identify with.The highly anticipated mock interviews that are offered to final year Ag Science students are rarely availed of by forestry students, at least in UCD. It is possible that the students cannot identify with any of the fictional jobs that are presented but additionally, forest management enterprises, for example, Coillte and VEON, provide the same service directly to forestry students. While our industry plays a key role in supporting forestry under–graduates (through the provision of work placements, financial support towards a silvicultural tour, provisions of mock interviews etc.), it’s achieved very locally and within the forestry ‘bubble’.

The upshot of such a lack of visibility is a lack of awareness among the general public as to what forestry entails and what foresters do. The knock-on impact of this is a lack of competition for college places which in turn results in falling CAO points. And here’s where the system really has an impact on the industry; low entry points are often equated with either an unpopular course or, worse, an easy degree course. First, we know there is high

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Photo: Marie Doyle

FORESTRY JOBS

demand for good quality Forestry graduates. Second, there is no such thing as an easy Level 8 University degree course. The current system lets potential students down – it implies that if they can get in, they will be able for the content and workload and it’s not always the case. Additionally, we get a number of students that are in Forestry by default as they didn’t have the higher points needed for some of the ‘more traditional’ Ag Science programmes. Thankfully, many of these come to realise that Forestry has a potential all of its own. Of course, we always have a core component that are here to study forestry and are excited and committed from the beginning; the industry initiative seeks to provide us with more of these.

and food production are the big players (even our national strategy is called ‘Food Wise 2025’…). In an ideal world, we will end up with a joined-up vision for landuse in Ireland - we can’t keep aiming to increase forest cover, increase agricultural production and continuously increase profits while still clinging on to the mantle of being green and sustainable (and no matter what ‘they’ say, planting trees on ‘useless’ land - the tops of hills or in boggy hollows - isn’t the way to a sustainable forest industry).

CONCLUSION

The UCD Forestry degree, along with all the other options in the Ag Science suite of programmes, is science-based and also business focussed, and has a component of professional work experience SO, WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT? which allows our students an opportunity to see how their academic One aspect of the work of the Forestry Careers Group is to work relates to real world forestry. As well gaining competency increase visibility for forestry on the Careers Portal website; this in core forestry topics, students achieve a range of highly is a resource that is heavily used by Career Guidance teachers transferrable soft skills and our graduates also find employment and second level students to identify which careers would suit in management areas outside forestry, in IT, banking, as teachers etc. individual students based on their areas of interest and by providing We’ve acknowledged that sitting on the sidelines thinking that detailed testimonials and videos that relate to the sector. forestry is the bee’s knees and wondering why nobody knows

“There is a real demand for forestry professionals across the industry from nursery production to processing” Another link the group has established is with SciFest, a programme that has been in existence for ten years and aims to ‘encourage a love of science, technology and maths through active, collaborative, inquiry-based learning and to provide a forum for students at local, regional and national level to present and display their scientific investigations’. Current plans include preparing an information pack to support students that might undertake a project in a forestry-related field in the Life Science category.

But it needs more than that, we need to get forestry ‘out there’ and normalise it as a landuse in Ireland – and as a consequence, normalise forestry as a profession. It’s not exactly the same as agriculture and we can’t claim to be a part of the ‘agri-food’ chain (the very term gives me shivers) but surely it’s no longer considered a ‘new’ landuse? Forestry is, and will continue to be, a very small slice in the dynamic and valuable landuse pie – agriculture

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we’re there won’t address the issue. As Mark Twain remarked ‘a habit cannot be tossed out the window; it must be coaxed down the stairs a step at a time’... so I’ve taken a step – I’ve stuck my neck out, paid the fee and joined the ASA. According to the friendly person on the phone, the ASA are ready and willing to engage with forestry and foresters.

To finish with another cliché, in my opinion, forestry as a profession offers a wide range of opportunities and a varied and challenging career and you couldn’t beat it with a stick (a sustainably grown, well managed, PEFC / FSC certified Yield Class 24 Sitka spruce stick!).

The UCD Forestry degree programme has been in existence since 1927 and has evolved continuously in response to research findings, changing societal demands, technological developments and enhanced regulations.

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

IRELAND’S ONE STOP FORESTRY SHOP!

Jas P Wilson is a third generation family business formed in 1964 covering the whole of the UK & Ireland. In recent years they have greatly increased their support infrastructure across both of these areas with further enhanced coverage due throughout 2018.

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s the wood fuel market continues to develop across Ireland the appeal of woodland management becomes more of a focus. The value of timber has made secondary processing much more attractive to woodland owners.The comprehensive range of quality products that Jas P Wilson offers to their large customer base covers all applications of processing.

Their product range in Ireland currently includes TP landscape and biomass wood chippers, Lasco cone splitters, Igland forestry winches, JAK tree shears, Keto & SP harvesting heads, Botex heavy duty trailer & loaders, used purpose built harvester & forwarders, used firewood machinery and used spare parts.

The Botex range of heavy duty trailers & loaders have been sold across Europe by Jas P Wilson for over 20 years.The full range is designed and manufactured at their factory site in Dalbeattie, South West Scotland.

As a core part of Wilson’s business there has always been a focus to produce machines capable of performing well in our challenging terrain and conditions in the UK & Ireland. The continual development and focus on the UK & Irish market sees the product as the ‘go to’ brand when users are considering their next purchase.

Botex has a number of options depending on the users required application. The Valtra Roof Mounted Botex loader option has always been very popular within the Forestry segment however with recent improvements to cab vision, machine performance and ease of use, this is becoming much more of a popular choice right across the industry with Estates, Arborists and Biomass producers looking to take advantage of the incredibly versatile unit that the tractor becomes.

The roof mounted option does not impede on the function of the rear PTO or linkage, enabling the tractor to fit any other implement on the back and therefore carry out any other tasks as a standard tractor would do.

With continual development and listening to feedback from end users, Wilsons saw the opportunity to develop the XL Pro forwarding trailer, this has quickly became one of their most popular options.

The XL Pro’s key feature is a simple extension which then allows the user to move large loads of timber with its ability to carry two bays of 3m lengths. The trailer fitted with 500/50/17 flotation wheels & tyres, adjustable 2nd bolster for carrying varied lengths of timber,

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4 wheel braking & steering drawbar make it the perfect choice for a user who wants to go into the wood but also have the capability to carry large loads on the road to minimise the number of journeys that need to be made.

As the Manufacturers of the Botex range Wilsons have a large advantage over their competitors on two fronts; the factory stocks over 95% of the machine components which can be ready for delivery quickly and efficiently reducing any possible downtime and also it means by cutting out a dealer they can keep both parts and machines at very competitive prices.

Wilson’s business model allows them to take part exchange of almost any item against their range of machinery, this could be a chipper against a winch or a firewood processor against a new Botex. This gives Wilsons the ability to have a large and varied stock of used machinery at all times, all of which has been workshop checked serviced and repaired and is sold with warranty.

As one of Europe’s largest breakers of purpose built harvesters and forwarders Wilsons carry a large ‘off the shelf’ stock of quality used parts. There is always stock for a wide range of manufacturers such as John Deere,Valmet and Ponsse amongst others. Parts can be delivered to your door quickly to minimise any downtime that may occur.

Call 01556 612233 for your used parts enquiries and save yourself some money and time.

The contact for all machinery sales in Ireland is Jeffrey Borland, having worked in the Forestry and Firewood machinery industry for a number of decades he is sure to be a well known face in the country and has a wealth of experience to help customers with their purchase.

Jeffrey spends his working hours making it as easy as possible for those considering replacement or upgrade machinery by arranging demos and visiting customers to help them make the correct purchase for their requirements. If you’re considering entering or developing your firewood or forestry business, please consider a call to Jeffrey at Wilson’s, he will most probably have the right machine for you at the right price!

Call Jeffrey on +44 (0) 7738 420 477 or email: info@jaspwilson.co.uk or visit www.jaspwilson.co.uk for all used stock listings.

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THINNING

GOOD THINNING PRACTICE SHOWS INCREASED INCOME AND ENHANCES TIMBER QUALITY Teagasc forestry researcher, Dr Niall Farrelly, indicates that the removal of poor quality trees at first and second thinning is essential to focus production on trees with potential to achieve construction grade timber. It also puts more money in your pocket.

The removal of inferior quality trees allows production to focus on trees with superior form and with potential to reach high value Many farmers with older forestry plantations are at a crossroads as construction grade timber. whether to consider thinning and whether the benefits accruing The removal of smaller trees, pulpwood and bigger rougher trees from thinning are worthwhile.Thinning presents an opportunity for growers to take control of the production process and influence and should be prioritised for removal early in the rotation as these trees cannot accumulate significant value over the lifetime of the maximise the production of higher value material such as quality sawlogs, increasing the value of their enterprise. forest. To reduce competition for site resources and focus In certain situations, a no thinning regime may be adopted by growers production on trees with superior form allows trees to develop who have concerns about the stability of the crop and the risk of into more valuable products is a key outcome of successful windblow or where poor access and/or tree health compromise thinning operations. thinning viability.

INTRODUCTION:

TEAGASC RESEARCH INTO THINNING

Restricted annual ring growth is evident where trees are under severe competition associated with no thinning

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To investigate the impact of thinning on crop development, timber quality and provide some information on the level of financial returns from thinning operations, Teagasc have established a number of permanent thinning trials across the country.

One such trial in a highly productive 15 year old Sitka spruce crop in Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon was established in 2010. The main objective was to observe the effect of different thinning intensities on volume production in the crop.

When the trial was established, the crop had a top height of 11 m, with a mean diameter at breast height (dbh) of 16.4 cm, and a volume of circa 200 m³ha-1.

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THINNING Thinning treatments (Fig. 1): 1. Control – leave crop unthinned.

2. Grade B – Light thinning - remove dying, suppressed, forked and subdominant trees.

3. Grade C – Medium thinning - as per grade B treatment but include some co-dominant trees.

4. Grade D – Heavy thinning - as per grade C treatment but more co-dominant and competing trees.

SECOND THINNING A second thinning took place in 2016 which focused on the removal of inferior quality removing between 220 to 330 stems per hectare, equivalent to 40 to 60 m3/ha. At second thinning, the yield of pallet wood increased with increasing thinning intensity, from 29% of total volume in the grade B thinning, to 65% in grade D thinning treatment. Timber revenues for second thinning ranged from €334/ha for the light thinning to €748/ha for the heavy thinning (Table 2).

Table 2: Main crop details after second thinning with volume assortments and revenue generated.

COMBINING RESULTS FROM 1ST AND 2ND THINNING Total revenue generated from the two thinning operations was highest in the heavy thinning at €1364/ha, €1255/ha for medium and €809/ha for the light thinning (Table 3).

Fig. 1: View of unthinned (control) plot and plots representing There is no indication that heavy thinning is negatively impacting three different thinning intensities (grades B to D) in on volume production of the crop with only a modest decrease Frenchpark, Co. Roscommmon.

(1% difference) between the control and the heavy thinning. No revenue was generated for the unthinned control plots.

FIRST THINNING

The first thinning commenced in 2010 and removed one line in seven with selective thinning between the lines.Thinning concentrated Table 3: Details of total volume production, yield of pulp and on removing dead, dying and inferior quality stems and improving pallet and revenue generated after two thinning cycles. the quality of the remaining crop. The volume removed varied from 23% to 35% of the standing volume with stocking after thinning varying from 1500 stems to 1000 stems per hectare across the different grades.

The thinnings were cut into pulpwood (smaller poor quality stems) and pallet wood (larger better quality stems for pallets) assortments depending on quality and length of trees. The tops of the trees and branches were left in the forest.

The standing sale of the thinnings returned a price of €6/m3 for pulpwood and a price of €18/m3 for pallet wood. No sawlog was produced in either thinning. At first thinning over 60% of volume IMPACT OF THINNING ON TREE SIZE AND removed was pulpwood with the proportion of pulpwood increasing STEM QUALITY with the intensity of thinning. There was no apparent difference Thinning has facilitated the development of larger trees as a in pallet wood production between thinning treatments. result of increased growing space with the average trees in the Timber revenues from first thinning ranged from heavy thinning nearly twice the volume (0.4 m3) of the trees in €475/ha for the grade B thinning, €564/ha for grade C the control treatment (0.23 m3). thinning and €616/ha for grade D thinning (Table 1).

An assessment of log straightness of the remaining crop was also carried out to determine whether each tree was capable of Table 1: Main crop details after first thinning with volume producing a straight 5m log for higher value saw log production. assortments and revenue generated.

This was used to determine if thinning improved the quality of the remaining trees.

Results indicated that thinning has greatly enhanced the quality of the remaining trees, with the greatest amount of straight logs apparent in the heavy thinning treatment (Fig. 2).

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THINNING Removal of poor quality trees in favour of the retention of the best quality trees is the key to good thinning practice and optimising returns

“Increasing the intensity of thinning may provide for increased revenues at first and second thinning especially when compared to a no thinning regime” • The heaviest (Grade D) thinning produced larger trees, a higher proportion of trees with straighter stems and the largest volume of commercial Pallet wood and offers the potential for earlier saw log timber production. On this basis heavier (Grade D) thinning is likely to be the most financially attractive thinning/ harvesting management option.

CONCLUSIONS Increasing the intensity of thinning may provide for increased revenues at first and second thinning especially when compared to a no thinning regime. In addition timber quality can be significantly enhanced with an increased focus on the early removal of inferior trees with an increase in the yield of straight commercial logs.

The choice of thinning intensity or grade may ultimately depend on local site and crop conditions and/or personal choice but results from the research presented here clearly indicate the Fig. 2: Volume of straight logs (>5 m) according to thinning benefit of thinning on crop development. treatment.

Where possible thinning should be considered earlier in the life cycle of a forest and the adoption of robust thinning practice SUMMARY with increased removal of inferior quality trees offers the best • An analysis after two thinnings shows that thinning more heavily results. resulted in the production of a larger volume of commercial pallet It is likely that increased thinning intensity may have the wood. potential to reduce rotation times as trees have increased • The heaviest (Grade D) thinning has produced more than twice growing space to reach merchantable size more quickly. Thinning the volume of Pallet wood compared to the light (Grade B) thinning. trials such as those in Frenchpark are an important research resource source to provide foresters, growers and the wider • Income from timber sales in the heaviest thinning (Grade D) industry with up to date advice and guidance based on Irish was almost 60% higher than for the light thinning (Grade B). growing conditions. Further Teagasc forest research will evaluate the impact of thinning on the structural properties of timber.

• Timber quality measured by the volume of 5 metre+ straight logs was greatly enhanced by thinning with the greatest proportion of For more information on Teagasc forest research please straight trees (by volume) in the heaviest (Grade D) thinning. see: https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/research/

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CONTINUOUS COVER FORESTRY (CCF)

TRANSFORMING SITKA SPRUCE PLANTATIONS TO CONTINUOUS COVER FORESTRY Identifying potential crop trees and regular thinning are the keys to successful transformation of

Photo: Gareth Browning/Forestry Commission 2018

plantations to resilient, continuous cover forests. By Edward Wilson, Ian Short, Áine Ní Dhubháin and Paddy Purser.

Figure 1. Continuous cover forestry in a mature stand of Sitka spruce at Whinlatter Forest, Cumbria, England. The stand was planted in 1920 and is located at 313 m altitude; it has a Yield Class of 16. This stand has good stability, high quality trees across a range of sizes and significant natural regeneration.

use natural processes wherever possible. Through single tree and small group selection, production and regeneration take place Forestry is entering a new phase where traditional management simultaneously. Gradually, as a result of successive interventions, objectives must be balanced with the need to enhance ecological the stand develops an irregular structure (Figure 1).

There are several economic and environmental attributes of resilience. Predicted changes in our climate plus the very real threats CCF that may contribute to its wider adoption in Ireland and the from introduced insect pests and diseases are making us look UK. In economic terms, CCF enables the forester to select individual again at the composition and structure of our forests. Currently trees on the basis of their potential for high quality timber production. in Ireland and the UK we rely on a small number of productive Through good thinning practice, it is possible to control the conifer and broadleaved species, and clear-felling remains the growth increment of high quality trees and schedule their harvest dominant silvicultural system. Using a wider range of genotypes, across stand interventions to the point where they achieve their species and silvicultural systems will lead to a more diverse resource target size or optimum value. Environmentally, several advantages and reduce environmental risks. However, the challenge for of CCF forests have been identified relative to even-aged systems, foresters is to develop and adopt new approaches that increase that contribute to forest resilience: they can be more windfirm; they maintain a more even carbon storage; they show lower soil resilience while also sustaining timber production and other carbon losses during harvesting; there is a reduced risk of soil forest values. fertility loss; they maintain higher humidity levels and they are Continuous Cover Forestry, commonly referred to simply as well-suited to both single and mixed species management. In CCF, is one of the most important options to emerge in recent catchments and riparian zones, CCF can be used to regulate years. CCF is a flexible and adaptable management system that water yield, stream temperatures and reduce the risk of siltation creates diverse and resilient forest stands. In this article, we or nitrate flushes that are often a concern downstream from clear-fell provide a brief overview and consider current research on CCF, sites. CCF is also desirable in multi-functional forests where especially in production forests dominated by Sitka spruce. landscape, recreation and conservation values are important. In effect, stands acquire old growth characteristics that enhance DEFINITION OF CCF biodiversity.

Continuous cover forestry is defined as the use of silvicultural systems where the forest canopy is maintained at one or more TRANSFORMATION OF PLANTATIONS levels without clear-felling. The guiding principles are to manage In Ireland and the UK, most forest stands are plantations composed of and sustain the forest ecosystem, work within site limitations and a single, or a very limited number of species. In order to increase

UCD AND TEAGASC FORESTRY RESEARCH Introduction

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CONTINUOUS COVER FORESTRY (CCF)

Stage 1: Preparation Stands should be identified early in their development based on their suitability for thinning and productivity. Poor quality trees (inferior phenotypes) should be removed and better quality trees (superior phenotypes) should be retained. Individual tree stability can be increased through the thinning process (i.e., modifying height: diameter ratios) and the selection process can then continue with frequent light thinnings. Identifying good quality stems, across a range of diameter classes, will by default lead to greater irregularity in the canopy strata. This is best achieved with “crown” thinning as opposed to “low” thinning, which is the norm in most even-aged plantations. This approach allows the forest manager to concentrate stand increment on high quality stems (Figure 2).

Stage 2: Regeneration As the stand matures and trees start to produce seed, consideration can then include the regeneration process. Thinning should aim to reduce basal area and enable appropriate levels of light to reach the forest floor. Threshold basal areas for regeneration, and separately for sustained growth, are now well recognised for most of our productive species, and this information can act as a guide for thinning prescriptions. Avoiding uniform removal of the overstorey trees, and maintaining a degree of “clumping”, will allow natural regeneration to become established in small cohorts at irregular spacings throughout the stand.

Stage 3: Structural development In this stage, tree selection focuses on removing high quality (crop) trees at their desired target size, and maintaining good quality smaller trees (i.e., future crop trees) from across a broad

range of diameter classes. Ideally, a maximum of 20% of basal area and a volume no greater than the stand increment will be removed at an intervention.

Stage 4: Structural maintenance Finally, the stand will be transformed to an irregular structure where the objective is to maintain a sustained yield of high value trees while promoting the development of the understorey strata.

Trees should be marked for removal at their optimum economic value, often called the target size, or if they are damaged and not contributing to the development of the stand structure. Wind damage, if it occurs, becomes part of the management system and generally understorey trees are released to fill the gaps created by blowdown of larger individuals.

CCF IN PRACTICE In contrast with other areas in Europe, a relatively small area in Ireland and Britain is currently managed on CCF principles. Research

by Lucie Vítková and colleagues, published in Irish Forestry (2013), identified approximately 10,600 ha where CCF is being practiced in Ireland. Experience with CCF is most advanced in broadleaved woodlands and conifer species, such as Douglas fir, commonly found on sheltered sites with favourable conditions for natural regeneration (and where browsing animals are controlled).

Nonetheless, a survey of forestry professionals in Ireland found there was significant interest in the wider use of CCF but that a lack of experience, training and reliable measures of stand performance were barriers to further progress. To promote greater understanding of CCF, the Irregular Silviculture Network (ISN) has established long-term research stands that provide information on stand development, individual tree performance, costs and revenues, and wider ecosystem services. Currently there are 6 sites in Ireland, each enumerated on a 5-year cycle.

A critical element of CCF is the selection and marking of trees to remove and retain at each stand intervention. A detailed under– standing of tree development and quality criteria is required.

Linked to this is a need for regular, simple inventories of stand structure. Information about diameter distribution, stem quality classes, growth increment and basal area is necessary to prepare tree marking prescriptions and monitor overall stand performance.

Figure 2. Sitka spruce in transformation to CCF at Bryn Arau Duon Forest, Wales.This large upland forest is at an altitude of 400m.The stand in this image was established in 1962 and has a Yield Class of 16. It has been thinned 3 times on a 4 year cycle.The focus at each intervention is to concentrate the increment on high quality trees. Natural regeneration is beginning to be established in many stands across the forest. Also note that there is a well-developed infrastructure that supports access to the stands.

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Photo: Phil Morgan 2017

the area of woodland managed as CCF, it is necessary to identify suitable even-aged stands that can be transformed from a uniform to irregular structure.Transformation is achieved as a planned and progressive series of stand interventions that emulate the successional stages in natural woodland.The principles of CCF transformation are well defined and the practice of CCF is now the standard approach to forest management in many parts of Europe.

There are four well-defined stages, summarised as follows:

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Photo:Anders Lundholm 2017

CONTINUOUS COVER FORESTRY (CCF)

Figure 3. The TranSSFor thinning experiment, Co Laois. This study is comparing stand development under “low”, “crown” and “graduated density” thinning regimes. The stand was established in 1992 and thinned in 2011 and 2014. The third thinning is scheduled for spring 2018.

In 2017, funding was secured by Teagasc for a Walsh Fellowship (2017-2021) that enables the study to continue on through the Sitka spruce is the mainstay of the forest products sectors in third thinning operation, and to generate the first research papers Ireland. In total, 335,000 hectares of Sitka spruce have been and operational guidance. This project is titled “Transformation of planted. The vast majority of this resource is managed in plantations less than 40 years in age. Transformation of even a Sitka spruce stands to continuous cover forestry”, more simply, small proportion of Sitka spruce plantations to CCF would significantly the TranSSFor project. The research is being supervised by Drs increase overall forest structural diversity and resilience.

Ian Short (Teagasc) and Áine Ní Dhubháin (UCD Forestry).

Currently, there is limited guidance available for transformation Thinning operations are scheduled for the first half of 2018 and of Sitka spruce stands to CCF in Ireland. The closest large-scale 2019. Data will be collected on stand productivity, structural examples in upland locations are in Wales, such as Clocaenog development, tree stem quality and environmental conditions Forest, which is managed by Natural Resources Wales. Here a within each treatment unit. variety of selection and shelterwood systems is being trialled on In addition to research on tree and stand development, it is sites at relatively high elevations. In the private sector, forestry anticipated there will be professional development and knowledge consultants Phil Morgan and Huw Denman have been working on sharing events for foresters, contractors and woodland owners. techniques in several woodlands (Figure 2).

Site visits and training workshops on tree marking for CCF are Some of the considerations for transformation in Sitka spruce plantations are now becoming more apparent. An early start to the already being planned.

CCF AND SITKA SPRUCE

transformation process is especially important on upland sites and FURTHER INFORMATION: where soils are relatively shallow to promote stand stability. Maintaining Ted Wilson, Walsh Fellow in Silviculture, Teagasc and UCD. good drainage across the site is also important to avoid an adverse rise Email: ted.wilson@teagasc.ie in the water-table. Extra care may be necessary in opening the canopy after thinning operations; too much side light will stimulate epicormic FURTHER READING: shoot development that can reduce sawlog quality.

• Sanchez, C. 2017, Pro Silva silviculture: guidelines on continuous cover forestry/close to nature forestry management practices.

CURRENT RESEARCH: THE TRANSSFOR PROJECT Circular 2718. Forêt Wallonne, Namur, Belgium. 64 pp.

There is much still to learn about CCF in upland Sitka spruce • Susse, R., et al. 2011. Management of irregular forests: developing plantations in Ireland. The COFORD-funded Low Impact the full potential of the forest. Association Futaie Irrégulière, Silvicultural Systems project (LISS), led by University College Besançon, France. 144 pp.

Dublin and completed in 2014, began the process of filling WEBSITES: knowledge gaps. As part of this study, a long-term thinning • Teagasc, TranSSFor project: experiment was established in two Sitka spruce stands on contrasting soil and site types in Ireland (Figure 3). The first site www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/research/transformation-of-sitkaspruce-to-ccf/ is located in Co Laois on a mineral gley soil, at an elevation of • Pro Silva Ireland (PSI): www.prosilvaireland.wordpress.com 300 m, in a forest managed by Coillte. The second site is in Co • Continuous Cover Forestry Group (CCFG): www.ccfg.org.uk Wicklow on a brown earth soil at a slightly lower elevation, in This article was written by Edward Wilson (Teagasc Forestry Development privately-owned woodland. The experiment was designed with Department and UCD Forestry), Ian Short (Teagasc Forestry Development three thinning treatments: low, crown and graduated density Department,Ashtown, Dublin 15), Áine Ní Dhubháin (UCD Forestry, University thinning. The first two thinning interventions took place in 2011 College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4) and Paddy Purser (Purser Tarleton Russell Ltd, and 2014. Initial work on this study was led by Dr Lucie Vítková Forest Sector Management, Consultancy & Research,Woodenbridge, Co.Wicklow).

Thanks to Phil Morgan (SelectFor Ltd) for helpful comments on a draft of this as part of her PhD project. article.

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

GREEN BELT Green Belt Welcomes Increased Revenue for Landowners for Planting.

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he forest sector has just launched the new wave of funding to stimulate afforestation with increases in revenue for landowners through uplifts in premiums for a host of species following the Mid-term Review of the national forestry program which was officially launched on the 21/02/2018.

The grant and premium improvements underline the Government’s commitment to continued afforestation. Our current afforestation policy targets an increase in forest cover from the current 11.5% to 18%. Afforestation and sustainable forest management are considered to be key strategies available to the Department of Agriculture, to help combat climate change. Increased afforestation Forestry is a solid and practical mitigation measure to help will help to achieve renewable energy targets, sequester carbon offset increased carbon emissions which if not addressed, will and offset increased emissions from high intensity agriculture. lead to Ireland incurring significant fines from the EU.

“Increased afforestation will help to achieve renewable energy targets, sequester carbon and offset increased emissions from high intensity agriculture” The changes which have been announced will see increases in premium rates of 5 – 7 % for broadleaves and native woodlands and lesser increases for conifer planting.

Forestry on a percentage of your farm holding can offer a safe, sustainable annual income which can help support other farming enterprises. Forestry is a viable, profitable land use option and most land types can be considered for planting.

The figures in the panel to the left reflect the changes which have been released to the Grant Premium Category (GPC) rates.

These premium payments are paid annually for a period of up to 15 years. Entitlements such as the Basic Payment Scheme can continue to be claimed alongside the forestry premium on the planted land.

The figures outlined above will also benefit from an additional 2% uplift in premium if you decide to plant an area greater than 10 Ha. If you are considering forestry as a land use option, now is the time to submit a planting application for afforestation approval.

Above rates based on <10Ha of planting)

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For a free consultation please contact us on Freephone Tel: 1800 200 233.

Email: info@greenbelt.ie or visit our website www.greenbelt.ie.

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND THE MARINE

INTRODUCTION OF HIGHER FORESTRY GRANTS AND PREMIUMS

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is making available increased forestry grants and premiums.

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hese are outlined in the table below, following the completion of help manage their forests in a productive and sustainable manner. As a Mid-Term Review (MTR) on the measures in the current well as support for forestry groups that may want to amalgamate Forestry Programme 2014 -2020.The aim of this MTR exercise to create larger groups, funding is being proposed for a national was to: knowledge transfer group scheme for forestry (subject to • Compare targets against outturn for 2015 and 2017 and where targets successful completion of the KTG pilot). An enhanced forest were not achieved, to identify reasons why this was the case, and management plan scheme will also be launched that includes • Having identified why targets were not being reached, to propose options for pursuing certification. measures that would help address barriers to achieving these targets.

The comparison of targets against outturn showed that total afforestation ENCOURAGE FARMERS TO CONSIDER FORESTRY AS PART OF THE FARMING MIX for the years 2015 – 2017 was some 7% less than the targets set at • Improved grant and premium rates for agroforestry and forestry the beginning of the Programme. Lower than expected planting for fibre may encourage some farmers to begin seeing forestry as a activity for native woodlands, agroforestry and forestry for fibre possible option on their farm alongside other farming activities. during this period indicated that 2018 -2020 afforestation levels may • Additional incentives are also being introduced to further encourage not be achieved within existing structures and that the broadleaf the use of IS436 over non IS436 fencing. While representing better planting target of 30% of overall planting, which was one of the Department’s commitments under the associated State aid approval, value for money in the longer term, this incentive may also make it possible for more farmers to plant trees on a portion of their land. would not be reached.

The enhanced measures, following the MTR process, are designed to:

AFFORESTATION SCHEME

PROMOTE GREATER SPECIES AND HABITAT DIVERSITY

The following table shows the new afforestation rates being introduced following completion of the MTR:

• Higher grant and premium rates have been introduced to encourage more broadleaf and diverse conifer planting.The minimum mandatory requirement per site has been increased from 10% to 15% broadleaves.

Additional support for broadleaf management is also included, following the MTR, in the form of a second thinning grant.

• Tree guards and deer fencing grants are also being introduced as part of a new “Forest Fencing and Tree Shelter Scheme” to reduce the risk of deer damage for existing broadleaf forests.

• A new continuous cover forestry measure has been included as part of the Woodland Improvement Scheme which will generate more diverse habitats for wildlife by creating forests with a more varied age structure.

• A higher grant rate is being offered to publicly owned native woodlands to initiate the participation of this sector in the native woodland conservation scheme which will enhance biodiversity and generate wider ecosystem services in these forest types.

SUPPORT THE MOBILISATION OF PRIVATE TIMBER In line with the COFORD Mobilisation Working Group objectives, measures are being introduced to support private forest owners to

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND THE MARINE

CHANGES TO OTHER SCHEMES INCLUDE:

increase in supply of logs from this source in the near future. It is estimated that few privately owned forests are certified under the FSC or the PEFC label in Ireland, so, as the level of supply from the private sector increases, the lack of certification is likely to become a barrier to wood mobilisation. There is a 30% limit to the volume of uncertified material processors can absorb and the supply of timber from private forests is already close to exceeding this figure.

As the volume of uncertified timber increases, the more difficult it may become to find export markets for Irish timber products manufactured from uncertified private sources. This could have a very serious impact on Ireland’s export orientated forest processing sector.

• Forest Roads: Road density to increase from 20m/ha to 25m/ha • Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS): All broadleaved forests, including mixtures, eligible for 2nd thinning grants of €500/ha. 3 payments of €750/ha to support the transition to continuous cover forestry

The question for private forest owners in the future may not be how much additional income can be generated from certified timber but rather will they be able to sell their timber if it remains uncertified.

In order to address this issue, and as a means of encouraging private

The changes to the Afforestation Scheme may be summarised as follows: • Increase of 2% in grant for GPCs 1 to 3 • 7% increase in grant and 5% increase in premium for GPCs 4-10 • Increase in fencing cap across all GPCs (from 120m to 140m per hectare) • Agro forestry and forestry for fibre increases • Increase of 2% in premium for those who plant over 10 ha.

• New forest deer fencing and tree shelter scheme • Broadleaf component at plantation level to increase from 10% to 15%

“An important aim of the Department is to foster a ‘culture’ of forestry amongst private forest owners” • Native Woodland Conservation: Grant available under the Public High Forest category increased to that of the Private High Forest.

Access allowed to forest fencing and tree shelter scheme.

forest owners to achieve certification, the Department has funded a pilot group certification project involving the North East Forestry Group and the Forest Owners Co-operative Society based in Co Cork.

In order to maintain the momentum generated by this project, which is OTHER INITIATIVES due to finish in May 2018, the Department is planning to put a new Knowledge Transfer Groups scheme in place in late 2018.This scheme will facilitate forest owners An important aim of the Department is to foster a “culture” of forestry in joining certification groups. amongst private forest owners. Knowledge transfer (KT) groups, similar to the beef and sheep KT groups currently in operation in general agriculture, are being developed by the Department as a learning tool to provide forest management knowledge to private forest owners.

New Forest Certification Scheme Forest certification is a voluntary process used by forestry owners to reassure consumers that the wood and wood products they buy come from sustainably managed forests. Certification independently assesses forest management planning and practices against a sustainable forest management standard. Ireland’s forest industry is export driven with overseas markets demanding certified timber.

Many thousands of hectares of private woodland are approaching the stage of first, and subsequent, thinnings, resulting in a sharp

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

OAKLEAF FORESTRY Wood is the foundation of renewable energy production.

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ur reliance on fossil fuels and the need to find sustainable alternatives has become ever more important. The demand for clean bioenergy has been increasing rapidly over the years. Not only does biomass help our environment by reducing the amount of harmful pollutants emitted into the atmosphere, but the production of wood chip as an energy source is a great economical and financial investment. It can be continuously produced locally within the UK & Ireland ensuring a continuous energy supply which can offer local business opportunities.There is Governmental support and tax incentives for renewable energy such as, programmes, grants and funding for development and demonstrations for new energy.

Kesla is the significant developer of forestry-related bioenergy solutions. Efficient professional chipping requires flexibility. You can select your Kesla chipper from our wide model range, either as a trailer model or a truck-mounted model. The quality provided by Kesla will guarantee your chipper will be durable and reliable even in the most demanding conditions. Kesla also offer 12 months warranty on all machinery. All components are made in house at Kesla from the chassis to the crane to the control systems. This ensures that all mechanisms work seamlessly together. Choose from a wide range

There are a number of rotor options for KESLA C645 chippers.

They are Classic, spiral rotor or Heavy Duty in-line rotor.The Classic is an open rotor with knives located spirally around the rotor. It is suitable for small engine power and chipping softwood. Rotor axle is welded and knife holders are mounted with two screws.The Heavy Duty rotor is suitable for high engine power and chipping hardwood. Construction of the rotor is half-closed with 6 knives located in rows.The rotor axle and rotor are attached with friction sleeve joints and the knife holder is attached with three screws. Rotor diameter is 570 mm.

User-friendly KESLA C860 drum chipper is suitable for chipping efficient energy wood – knots, branch wood and trunk timber.

Large (600 x 800 mm) feed opening, a fair high-sided feed table and hydraulic upper and lower feed rollers. Chipper’s frame is of durable 25 mm thick steel. The chipper with a smooth design has several maintenance flaps that make cleaning of the chipper easier. KESLA C860A operates on the truck engine and KESLA 860D model is equipped with an efficient and fuel-economizing Volvo Penta 13 l (375 kW, max Nm 2 595) engine. Chipping efficiency, weight and external dimensions of both models enable roadside and terminal chipping. If you need more power and bigger output then go for the KESLA C1060 drum

“Kesla is the significant developer of forestry-related bioenergy solutions” of various options to suit your own individual specification, making your very own chipper unique to your requirements.

The Kesla C645 range of drum chippers are the perfect solution for professional chipping. Due to its modular set-up structure, it can be equipped with appropriate features to satisfy the user’s requirements: chipper, chassis, axle, drive, a 16m³ container, crane and industrial versions. A 296hp independent engine model is also available. The output is up to 160 m³ per hour and both circular timber and sawing waste can be used.

C645T-ll Kesla chipper also has an output of 160 m³ per hour and low fuel consumption of 0.5 l / m³. Like most of the C645 range 100-220 kW of power is required.The C645T-ll weighs 8200 kg without its crane and has an ample ground clearance of 420 mm.The 570 mm drum runs at 800 – 1000 rpm.The height of the discharge chute is 5300mm.

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chipper. It is suitable for chipping efficient energy wood–knots, branch wood and trunk timber. Large (600 x 1000 mm) feed opening, a fair high-sided feed table and hydraulic upper and lower feed rollers. Chipper’s frame is of durable 30 mm thick steel.The chipper with a smooth design has several maintenance flaps that make cleaning of the chipper easier.

KESLA C1060A operates on truck engine and C1060T on power outlet of a tractor. Chipping efficiency, weight and external dimensions of both models enable roadside and terminal chipping.

No matter your specification, we have a solution for your exact requirements. Oakleaf Forestry offer a vast range of forestry machinery including Kesla harvester heads, Palax firewood processors, Hypro tractor processors, Vimek harvesters / forwarders and much more.

Call us now on Tel: +442838 330011 or visit our website www.oakleafforestry.com

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FOREST SECTOR DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

TIMBER IN CONSTRUCTION, RECENT PUBLICATIONS Forest Sector Development Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, have recently released a number of publications on timber in construction.

Brian Clifford discusses.

INTRODUCTION

TIMBER IN MULTI-STOREY CONSTRUCTION

Timber is one of the oldest construction materials and, while it is widely used across the world, steel and concrete are often still the materials of choice for larger residential and commercial buildings. This is starting to change in response to global climate challenges, as timber is seen as a sustainable alternative to other construction materials because it is the only building material that can be grown, and needs low energy to produce the final product.

Furthermore, in line with the growing level of harvest from Irish forests, Irish sawmilling output has increased substantially, and was close to one million cubic metres in 2016. Kiln dried, graded structural timber has accounted for most of the increase, and amounts to more than half of sawmill output.

Allied to the increasing levels of sawnwood production in Ireland, there is a growing realisation of the many benefits of wood in construction, including a material that facilitates rapid, modern and modular construction, and one that has significant potential to reduce the level of greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional construction methods. Timber buildings also of course store carbon over extended periods and this role in climate change mitigation can only increase over the coming decades.

In order to provide guidance to the sector a series of publications have recently been released. These include Timber in Multistorey Construction and a series of COFORD Connect Notes published in conjunction with Wood Technology Ireland (WTI).

This article provides a brief overview of these publications and introduces the handbook on Eurocode 5 Part 1-1, which shall shortly be released.

Light timber construction systems, such as timber-frame and SIPS (Structural Insulated Panels), are well-established both in Ireland and abroad.

However, recent developments in timber engineering have led to the development of high-performance engineered wood products with large dimensions, known as mass timber, which can replace steel or concrete in large-scale construction. These products include large glued laminated beams and columns, and crosslaminated timber (CLT) panels. The introduction of CLT has led to the development of large commercial and residential timber buildings including multi–storey buildings across the globe.

It is important to be aware that mass timber construction, of which CLT is the most widely known, is different to light timber-frame construction. CLT is used in large buildings and requires a specialist design and erection team with a high degree of control and inspection.

In this publication, CLT and its use in multi–storey timber buildings is described, and measures to enable the increased use of this construction system in mid-rise (under 5 storeys) and high-rise (above 5 storeys or more) buildings in Ireland are discussed.

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FOREST SECTOR DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

COFORD CONNECT/WOOD TECHNOLOGY IRELAND NOTES WTI was established to provide the Irish timber industry, construction industry, architects, engineers and specifiers with technical advice and information to facilitate compliance with standard specifications, the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and also with the requirements of the Irish Building regulations. Wood Technology Ireland aims to provide independent technical information and advice on design, FURTHER PUBLICATIONS IN THE PIPELINE manufacture, specification and use of wood and timber products In spring 2018 a handbook on Eurocode 5 Part 1-1 and for the benefit of the Irish timber and construction industry and for associated CEN loading and product standards will be released. consumers. The areas covered include structural timber and timber This publication will update the original handbook on structural products used in building, timber-frame construction, joinery products, design to Eurocode 5, published by COFORD in 2006. panel products, flooring, cladding, fencing, decking, wood It will include the many amendments to product standards preservation and protection, and a wide range of other timber resulting from the introduction of the Construction Products and wood products used in buildings.

Regulation in July 2013 and Information on cross laminated timber, as well as a new section on adhesives and the related A series of information notes have been published by product standards, which are common to many glued timber Wood Technology Ireland (WTI) under the COFORD products, including CLT. Connects banner.

“These publications will be of special interest to structural engineers and specifiers who are new to timber construction, as well as professional foresters, forestry academics and students of forestry. Material is presented in an accessible and well-illustrated format.”

These include: • Construction Products Regulation: Declaration of Performance and CE Marking

The Irish National Annexes have been referenced in this document and it will be a valuable source of information especially for engineers and architects.

• Timber Roof Trusses – General Information

CONCLUSION

• Structural Timber – Marking for Solid Timber

These publications will be of special interest to structural engineers and specifiers who are new to timber construction, as well as professional foresters, forestry academics and students of forestry.

Material is presented in an accessible and well-illustrated format.

• Structural Timber – Declaration of Performance • Structural Timber – General Design Requirements • Timber preservative treatment and durability. Solid timber, a background • Irish standards on timber fencing. General Information

All these publications can be obtained directly from Forest Sector Development Division, DAFM by contacting fsd@agriculture.gov.ie.

• Wooden joinery (windows and doors) • Plywood • Timber grading and timber sizes

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COFORD Connect Notes can be downloaded directly from COFORD website www.coford.ie/publications/cofordconnects

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

FERMOY WOODLAND NURSERIES Fermoy Woodland Nurseries was set up in 1987 by Michael and Margaret Egerton and continues today successfully under the stewardship of their son Jack.

Improved Sitka spruce, Norway spruce, and Douglas fir seed are sown on the Nursery. These varieties have been bred for improved growing characteristics such as greater vigour, stem straightness, disease resistance, higher timber density and fewer side branches.

The aim at Fermoy Woodland Nursery is to continually focus on improving production techniques to bring the best quality plants possible to their customers.

Forestry in Ireland plays a clear and vital role in counteracting carbon emissions and acting as a carbon sink. With Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions having increased in 2016 and 2017 it is ironic that the afforestation program has been in decline over the past two years. This is happening despite Government’s stated commitment to the contrary and the obvious environmental and economic benefits forestry offers. Why the decline in afforestation?

Undoubtedly the high level of complexity, regulation and continual itka spruce and Noble fir seed were first sown in the spring delays in the application procedures for farmers and landowners of 1988 and today a full range of conifer and broadleaf can be a deterrent. And many potential investors in afforestation are put off by these protracted processes. This and other factors transplants are available from the nursery in Fermoy, Co Cork. Over the last 30 years Fermoy Woodland Nurseries has become discouraging investment in forestry need to be reviewed by the Department. one of the country’s leading suppliers of quality Forestry, Hedging Despite the current issues and delays affecting afforestation and Christmas tree transplants. The sandy loam soils on the Fermoy Woodland Nurseries remain optimistic for the future of nursery on the banks of the Munster Blackwater are ideal for Irish forestry and believe these challenges can and will be overcome. generating good fibrous root growth and provide excellent On the nursery they are committed to producing the best possible drainage in wintertime which facilitates harvesting.

Close attention to detail in Fermoy Woodland begins at sourcing plants for both afforestation and reforestation. the best seeds including provenances most suited to the Irish climate. Visit us at www.fermoywoodland.ie.

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COMMERCIAL CASE STUDY

GREAT OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW Engineer-turned-carpenter Paul Grainger has spent 20 years building a thriving business with a Wood-Mizer LT40 at the heart of the operation.

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orkshireman Paul Grainger is an engineer at heart. Whether it’s restoring motorcycles, repairing farm machinery or building timber-framed roofs, he can turn his hand to it. An eye for detail and a healthy dose of passion for carpentry has seen him build a diverse, busy business across North Yorkshire.

Having three Wood-Mizer LT40s since starting the business has helped him go from selling waste wood on eBay to becoming an intrinsic part of a multi-million-pound restoration project at a luxury rural hotel.

IN SEARCH OF A NICHE

LOCAL SOURCING, LOCAL CUSTOM Paul’s work at Middleton Lodge is not the bread and butter of his business, which comes from typically smaller projects near his workshop at Masham. A significant job he recently completed for a customer saw a decrepit agricultural building saved by replacing the roof trusses. Its end use is still to be decided but now has the potential to become a house after being elegantly restored in local larch.

Just a stone’s throw from that restoration, Paul’s craftsmanship is further demonstrated. A porch, beautifully finished in oak, frames the front of a house in the small village of Snape. Paul’s latest endeavours are, for once, for his own benefit.The family’s Masham Old Station Caravan Park is being expanded to include some permanent accommodation – built with timber-framed trusses, of course.

“I went to college as an engineering technician, but I got bored of that so I left and started agricultural engineering work,” he said.“I worked on Case and International farm machinery and raced motorbikes before I went in to forestry where I’ve been ever since.”

Paul didn’t like seeing the timber he was pulling out of woodland going RELIABILITY AND PERFORMANCE to waste so, in the mid-1990s, a friend lent him a Wood-Mizer LT40.“I started Craftsmanship and quality have clearly played huge roles in Paul’s converting oak in to beams and selling them on eBay. Local builders and success. He recognises the importance of his sawmill in being able to businesses started buying off me and it's just grown from there.” deliver exactly what his customers want.

Fast forward 20 years and while the shape of the business hasn’t “Without the Wood-Mizer I would be snookered,” he said.“It took me changed, its scale and diversity is unrecognisable. years to get to the point where I actually owned my own but it's been well worth it and I would definitely buy another one in a few years time MIDDLETON LODGE and keep renewing as we go. I don't think I'll go for the LT70 as the LT40 One significant moment that has contributed to the success Paul has seen is the first job he did at 200-acre Middleton Lodge near Richmond in does all I want. It’s portable and fully hydraulic. But I will probably buy a molder/planer to be able to manufacture more.”

North Yorkshire. Its owner, James Allison, asked Paul to build an eyeReliability has been as important as performance. catching pergola that could be used for marriage ceremonies. Great oaks from little acorns grow, as the proverb goes, and Paul is now an intrinsic WOOD-MIZER OPEN HOUSE 27-28 APRIL part of the site’s future development.

Wood-Mizer UK is welcoming all businesses and individuals to “I started with the pergola then James asked me to do some trusses on the main building and in some derelict stable blocks.We did some repairs its Open House event at Linlithgow, Scotland, in April. On show and renewals in one of the wings and then when we got to the other wrong will be the WM1000 sawmill for logs up to 1.7m as well as smaller mobile and static mills. Firewood processors from Jas P we found the trusses were all rotten. I suggested that we make nine whole new trusses out of softwoods as that is what they originally were.” Wilson and wood chippers from Pentland Biomass will also be on show, plus Wood-Mizer’s new MP360 planer/moulder.

Further expansion has seen the addition of another, smaller bar and Visit www.woodmizer.co.uk, call 01622813201 or email: function room and Paul has just fitted several large trusses to a new block info@woodmizer.co.uk. which will act as a further large wedding venue.

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

PRODUCT NEWS

LOGOSOL LAUNCHES NEW, IN-HOUSE DEVELOPED BAND SAWMILLS! Looking for a top Quality Band Sawmill? Look no further. Check out Logosol's New B751 and B1001.

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he B751 and B1001 Sawmills come with preassembled sawheads and detailed user manuals, so you get started quickly with your production.

The B751 and B1001 are both manufactured in Sweden. In their basic configuration they can saw 4.8 metres. They can manage large diameter logs, from 75 cm on the B751 to 100cm on the B1001 in diameter. Logosol’s own band sawmills are robust and have several well thought-out features that will facilitate when you are working at the sawing site. You get a stable and extremely functional sawmill that is best in its class when it comes to sawing!

indicator so you have a reference before taking the next one.

The design has several patented and trademarked details. The log clamps secures the log against the log rests with great force and without damaging the wood. The bandwheels are combined fan wheels that blows out the sawdust from the working area and prevents sawdust build up inside the cover, which makes it easier to change blades and service the machine.

• After selling bandsaw mills from other As Well as the Launch of the New Band Sawmills the New Upgraded LOGOSOL F2 manufacturers for many years we are now FARMER’S will come to Sale this Spring; it is taking the next step and launching our an ultra-portable sawmill, which easily cuts own bandsaw mill with a focus on user up large logs. In addition, it is so lightweight friendliness and capacity. The design is as revolutionizing as the Logosol chainsaw mill that you can lift and move the sawmill by hand. This sawmill is affordable and was when it was presented in 1989, says incredibly easy to use. Even if you never have Malte Frisk, CEO. sawn timber before, you will quickly get started with your production of planks and Sawing with set steps for the height boards for your building projects. adjustment makes it easier to cut planks and For Information on all Products and boards in the exact dimensions every time.

Show Dates Please contact Roland Flower One turn with the crank is always 1” and one The Saw Doctor on Tel: +353 85 1395457 extra step compensates for the kerf of the email: info@logosol.ie or Check Out our sawblade. The scale also has a last cut Website www.logosol.ie.

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How Dipetane Works: Dipetane uniquely addresses and solves the fundamental problem existing in standard combustion, which is that some of the valuable carbon remains unburnt. Irish scientists are the first and only scientists worldwide who have discovered how to enable the existing fixed oxygen to gain proper access to burn the valuable carbon much more completely compared to standard combustion.

Injector Protection: Dipetane protects costly injectors and valve stems from the EC 90% cut in sulphur, the sulphur had been acting as a lubricant for Injectors and valve stems.

Dipetane’s full burning of the carbon leaves no hard unburnt carbon grating in the system and combined with its built in lubricant greatly increases lubrication thereby protecting injectors and valve stems.

DPF’s-Diesel Particle Filters: Minimising regeneration, minimising fuel usage and protecting DPF’s is very efficient. As mentioned above protecting DPF’s through the use of Dipetane is critical and very costeffective. Dipetane treated fuel’s unique ability to burn the carbon more completely, compared to all standard fuels means that much less un-burnt carbon enters the DPF and therefore the regeneration occurs less often. In some 6.8 Litre engines Dipetane’s use has extended the regeneration from 70 hours out to over 200 hours. This is a substantial fuel saving and protects the DPF from the very high revs involved in the regeneration process.

Up to 10% fuel savings: Dipetane’s independent Scientific Chassis Dynamometer and Boiler Tests under controlled conditions show up to 10% fuel savings. Mix rate for Dipetane is always 1:200. 1 Litre treats 200 Litre’s Diesel, Petrol, Kerosene, Heavy Oil. It does not change the spec of the fuel. It is not an ‘additive’, being 100% hydro-carbon.

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

DYMAX TREE SHEARS LAUNCH NEW TEAGASC

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ROTATION MODELS FOR 2018

ntroduced into Europe by Practicality Brown onstruction sites are cold and bleak in Ltd in 2005, Dymax Tree Shears have proven winter but the new heated jacket from themselves to be the most robust and long Makita will provide a new level of comfort and lasting tree shears on the market. protection. Powered by Makita’s popular Lithium– With over 30 years experience of producing ion batteries, which many site Dymax tradesmen premium quality Tree Shears, havewill just already own with their power tools, the new launched a new SLX range which include optional strong 180 DCJ200drive heated jacket Having uses thecarefully popular researched 18v Lithium–ion battery which worm rotation. the opposition, will give low built heating hours. this newcomfortable range is again to for be 17.5 morecontinuous robust than the The new Makita he Twitter @MakitaUK. competition.

If you are looking for a man size tree shear to fit a 13t-30t excavator which will cut hardwood as well as softwood and last a long time, look no further! If you are looking for a cheap colourful tree shear, no need to call us! Although having said that the factory can paint SLX models to a colour of your choice!

We stock basic 14” Grapple Shear models in the UK with the new SLX range available to order.

Dymax Tree Shears are the safest way to fell trees and have been proved on many major construction, development and forestry sites in the UK. For further information visit the Dymax European Distributor at www.treeshears.co.uk or Tel: + 44 (0)1295 690011 See our New Website: www.treeshears.co.uk

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

PRODUCT NEWS PAUL VIDGEN FOREST MACHINES LTD

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aul Vidgen has been involved in the mulching, land-clearing and forestry business for 30 years both as a contractor and as a supplier of specialist equipment.As the industry moved away from rake and burn clearance work in the late 90’s, Paul imported and ran the first tracked self-propelled mulcher in the UK. Soon afterwards he became the sole dealer for AHWI, now Prinoth equipment in the UK and sales took off. In recent years Paul has added other equipment to the company’s range including many items designed and built specifically for land clearing work.

Ahwi Prinoth machinery remain at the forefront of mulching technology and the latest offerings form the company are no exception, having to embrace new exhaust emission standards the latest Raptor 800 and Raptor 300 have Caterpillar Tier IV engines using Ad Blue, these offer excellent reliability and very good fuel economy. Like all Ahwi carriers they feature efficient mechanical drives with a turbo-clutch.

The Raptor 300 can be had with a standard three point linkage and

1000rpm PTO (allowing other attachments like stump grinders and chippers to be used) or a direct belt drive to the mulcher. Raptor 300 can also be had with a rubber track system for short trips on the road. The 800 has a dedicated heavy duty drive line to the 900mm diameter rotor making it one of the largest self-propelled mulchers available.

The RT400 crawler that has become the benchmark for track mulchers in the UK will be replaced by an all new Raptor 500 model with Cummins engine in 2018 so look out for this at the APF Show.

Ahwi are also manufacturing a full range of Mulchers, Stump Grinders and Rotovators for mounting on tractors, excavators and special carriers.

PVFM are the importers for the UOT Range of Scarifiers and Mounders.

Available as tractor or forwarder mounted units these are the perfect solution for tree establishment in restock sites or bare ground. The machines are simple and tough using high quality components such as Black Bear motors for our disk drives.

TreviBenne manufacture a full range of excavator mounted Tree Shears, Wood Splitters and Stump Shears; all made with top quality materials such as Hardox plate, PVFM have a range of machines in stock for hire or demonstration.

After many years of operating Bruks Chippers as part of our hire business, PVFM are delighted to be able to offer Bruks equipment in the UK, we will have more information on this soon.

Used and reconditioned equipment is often available so whatever your requirements are please give us a call. Email: info@pvfm.co.uk and Tel: 01344 873499.

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CHOICE HEATING SOLUTIONS LTD HS provides a unique platform of customised packages of

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alternative energy solutions, ranging from initial consultancy and design right through to installation for those interested in lowering their costs and carbon footprint.

With spiraling fuel costs we have to look at alternatives to heat our premises in a cost effective way.As a leader in the industry, Choice Heating Solutions Ltd (CHS) has a customer focused approach to help their clients to choose the product that best fits their life style and budget while attaining a rapid payback period. CHS are the main agents for award winning manufactures namely Atmos, Central,Topling, Kombi, Senko, Sunex and Alfa.With this wide range they can offer every client, from small domestic to large industrial, a boiler that meets their requirements ranging from 6 kW up to 2 MW using log wood,pellet,chip and sawdust.

Their wood gasification boiler uses a combustion process which shatters virtually every preconceived notion about emissions and efficiencies of wood heating.The boilers have efficiencies of 85% upwards to 97% with extremely low emission per kilowatt of heat delivered. Their range also include attractive room heater pellets stoves, solid fuel range cookers, wood fired pizza ovens for cooking and heating right up to self contained units which can be located outside The newest addition to their product range is a domestic hot water heat pump tank that can operate day and night with no panels or unsightly units mounted on the external of the buildings.These neat pieces of equipment have an efficiency of 360% and can be integrated into your existing system giving you true independence and hot water 24/7/365.

If you manage to use a 100 litres every day,the running cost is only €80 per year, use less it cost less. CHS's latest project was heating an acre of glass house requiring temperatures between 18-22degC using wood only.

Ease the strain on your pocket and look up Choice Heating Solutions, Coolymurraghue, Kerry Pike, Co Cork.

Tel. 087 275 4012 www.choiceheatingsolutions.com.

Email: choiceheating@eircom.net

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

HOME HEATING MADE SIMPLE

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eating the home is one of the critical concerns for every household, especially those with children or the elderly.

In recent years fuel prices have reduced for an interim period making it less of a strain on the budget but are likely to increase in the not too distant future. Electricity is also under an ever growing demand from new technology and harder to generate enough of a supply using environmentally friendly methods alone.

With a range of home heating options available that all largely require electricity, refined / produced fuel or operate inefficiently contributing to global warming and pollution, end users can be forgiven for feeling they cannot do right for doing wrong and can find themselves stuck in a rut with their heating bill.

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The Ecco Stove hybrid masonry heater fills this niche by offering a simple to install wood or solid fuel fired heater that conforms to all current UK certification and has also passed the 2022 European design standards for efficiency.

Silicon Carbide is increasingly being used in a range of technologies due to its superior properties over traditional materials. The use of Silicon Carbide in woodfired masonry heaters is exclusive to the Ecco Stove range.

Combining both masonry heater and high efficiency stove technology, the Ecco stove provides a constant or intermittent heat source that generates gentle heat waves through the home, room to room via natural convection generated by the unique properties of the Silicon Carbide (mineral) body.

This method of heating is suitable for both insulated and uninsulated properties with a single control method and simple batch loading.

Heat is stored for up to 12 hours in the Silicon Carbide body and transferred through 1 – 15 rooms up to a 280m² area (depending on which model is chosen) without the need for radiators, electrical connections or air ducting.

With the highly efficient burn from the combustion chamber the CO emissions are lower than that of a tree decomposing naturally in a forest. As heat can be distributed without pumps the electrical / oil / gas demand on the property is also reduced. As the Ecco Stove can be fuelled with wood, smokeless fuel and briquettes to mention a few the homeowner is in complete control of their heating bill.

You can call, email or visit our team to find out more about how the Ecco Stove can heat your own home on Tel: 01527 857814 or sales@eccostove.com. You can also visit our website www.eccostove.com.

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

PRODUCT NEWS

COOK CONTRACTING CHOOSE ROTOCHOPPER HORIZONTAL SHREDDER FOR LOW COST BIOMASS

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hen Stuart Cook decided it was time to replace his aging TIM SD1400 shredder he carried out some research and found a little known brand in the UK – Rotochopper Inc. from Minnesota, USA. Stuart made contact and we brought him to see a used machine for sale in Finland – a 2008 Rotochopper B66 with a 700 Hp CAT C18 and our unique transport dolly for this tracked machine. It took all of 20 minutes for Stuart to decide this was the right machine for his contracting business based in Ayrshire. With its tough build, ease of operation and mobility, it was perfect for processing bark or pulpwood on customers sites one week then brash and root balls in the Ayrshire forests the next.

The B66 has a 3 ½ tonne rotor with 24 demountable tooth holders that can be fitted with hardfaced teeth for rougher material or sharp Quadco biomass teeth for cleaner brash or pulpwood. On a recent contract Stuart’s operator Bob was hitting production rates of more than 90 tonnes per hour of pulpwood using Quadco teeth! The holders can also be swapped for our Keyknife system for chipping

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applications, producing chips in the 25–35mm range at very high volumes and efficient operation. Rakers are also fitted to the rotor to protect the teeth and provide a more even and consistent feed.

Some other features that Stuart and Bob have come to appreciate are the ease of screen change and tracks with demountable dolly set up. Screens are baffled for particle size control and are changed through a large side access door using the I-beam and electric winch provided.An operator with a teleporter or forklift can change screens in about 30 minutes.With screens out, there is comfortable access to the rear of the rotor for teeth change or hard-facing work. The tracked machine was also important for Stuart as much of his work is forestry based. Low loaders are not ideal in this situation either, so the demountable 3 axle transport dolly on the B66 was a real plus.

This 39 tonne machine tows easily behind Cook’s suitably plated Scania and is set up for operation in about 20 minutes once on site.

We now have 9 Rotochoppers with very satisfied customers in the UK and Ireland, including a new 765 Hp B66 delivered to a waste company in Dublin in January 2018 to process 75,000 tonnes per year of recycled wood. With pulpwood prices continuing to rise, large biomass users are looking for less expensive sources of energy such as brash, root balls and outsize logs – as a result there is great demand for hire of versatile machines like these. Pricing is very competitive thanks to a weak Dollar, we have machines from 275 up to 1,1100 Hp so why not give us a call to see if this is the right machine for your business too?

Contact: Aidan Shanahan, Rotochopper Sales Manager, UK and Ireland. E-mail: aidan.shanahan@rotochopper.com and Tel:+353 86 3881615.

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

GET 37% MORE FROM YOUR SAWMILL WITH RIPPER37 BLADES… UK manufacturer, Dakin-Flathers Ltd, celebrates success with a new generation of sawmill blade – Ripper37.

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rom purpose built 24–hour facilities in Yorkshire, England, Dakin–Flathers have combined their 125 years of saw manufacturing experience and developed a premium Sawyer, Jim Birley, of Scottish Wood in Fife says; sawmill blade which lasts 37% longer than the competition.

‘They have given us a consistent and good all round cutting Ripper37 is crafted from high quality, carbon–rich Western European performance, and will last many re–sharpening’s before reaching steel, developed with unique metallurgical properties to deliver the their life–end. We use Ripper37 blades on our two static sawmills on which we cut Scottish grown hardwood logs…’ optimum balance between strength and flexibility.

An extensive digitally controlled quality assurance program, which Thanks to their focus on quality and performance, Dakin–Flathers involves photographic tooth profile checks, set analysis, straightness has grown from being the leading supplier in the UK to one of the 37 testing, hardness testing and microstructural analysis results in a leading suppliers in the world, exporting Ripper sawmill blades to over 100 countries worldwide with an unrivalled reputation for blade that cuts straighter, has harder, longer lasting teeth producing quality and performance.

37 one of the most superior blades on the market. In short, Ripper delivers...

To discover the full benefits of Ripper37 sawmill blades visit • 37% greater durability than its leading rivals www.dakin–flathers.com for more information.

• Up to 100% more re–grinds • Unparalleled “out–of–the–box” performance Dakin–Flathers Ltd, Boothroyds Way, Green Lane Industrial • Minimal waste and maximum cutting power Estate, Featherstone, WF7 6RA, England • Reduced production costs and more profit for you and your T: +44 (0) 1977 705 600 F: +44 (0) 1977 705 700 Email: sales@dakin–flathers.com company Web: www.dakin–flathers.com • Improved quality of finish on the sawn timber

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RENEWABLE HEAT INCENTIVE

SUPPORT SCHEME FOR RENEWABLE HEAT The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten TD, is introducing a national Support Scheme for Renewable Heat after securing Government approval.

WHY INTRODUCE A SUPPORT SCHEME FOR RENEWABLE HEAT? In 2016, Ireland had reached a level of 6.8% (with a target of 12%) in the heat sector. The Government has introduced a range of measures across the electricity and transport sectors to help meet our targets, and a support scheme for renewable heat will expand this suite of support measures into the heating sector. The scheme will support the adoption of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating, public sector and other non-domestic heat users not covered by the emissions trading system.

WHAT WILL BE SUPPORTED UNDER THE SUPPORT SCHEME?

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Based on the economic analysis carried out, the scheme will support projects through one of the following support mechanisms: · An on-going operational support (paid for a period up to 15 years) based on useable heat output in renewable heating systems in new installations or installations that currently use a fossil fuel heating system and convert to using the following technologies: - Biomass heating systems; - Anaerobic digestion heating systems. · A grant (of up to 30%) to support investment in renewable heating systems that use the following technologies: - Air source heat pumps; - Ground source heat pumps; and - Water source heat pumps.

he Scheme is designed to financially support the replacement of fossil fuel heating systems with renewable energy for large heat demand non-domestic users. This covers commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating, public sector and other nondomestic businesses and sectors (in the non-emissions trading sector). HOW WILL THE PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR Under the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive, Ireland has a target OPERATIONAL SUPPORT WORK? of 12% of energy consumed in the heat sector to come from renewable This support consists of a multi-annual payment (for a period of up to 15 years) on the basis of prescribed tariffs. The maximum tariffs paid energy sources by 2020. Currently 6.8% of energy consumed in will be 5.66 cents per kilowatt hour of energy produced from biomass the heat sector in renewable.

Budget 2018 allocated €7 million to fund the initial phase of the heating systems and 2.95 cents per kilowatt hour of energy produced from anaerobic digestion heating systems.The tariffs paid will reduce Support Scheme for Renewable Heat next year.

The Scheme is designed to ensure that air quality impacts will be with increasing output reflecting the economy of scale associated with addressed to support sustainable biomass use in installations, using larger systems.The tariffs are detailed in the Scheme Overview.

Each tariff will set the amount of support that the Scheme best available technology and emission abatement.

The maximum tariffs paid will be 5.66 cents per kilowatt hour of participant will receive in respect of each unit of heat energy energy produced from biomass heating systems and 2.95 cents per used for an eligible purpose. The tariff level for a particular project will generally be fixed for the period of support. Tariff kilowatt hour of energy produced from anaerobic digestion heating systems. The tariffs paid will reduce with increasing output reflecting levels will not be linked to indexation. However, adjustments may be applied to prevent windfall gains. the economy of scale associated with larger systems.

“It is hoped that the application process can begin in late 2018 subject to EU approval” The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) will administer The payment under the Support Scheme will be tiered based on the Scheme and develop the detailed Terms and Conditions, including the annual heat output (on a per kWh basis). eligibility and sustainability criteria and these must be approved by The participant will receive a payment according to the tariff (c/kWh) the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for Tier 1 up to the first threshold value; heat output greater than that threshold will be paid at a lower tariff level up to the Tier 2 THE PROPOSED TARIFFS FOR THE SCHEME ARE: threshold, and so on for higher Tiers. Since the cost of generating Anaerobic Tier Lower Limit Upper Limit Biomass renewable heat typically falls with increasing installation size, the tariff (MWh/yr) (MWh/yr) Heating Systems Digestion Heating Tariff (c/kWh) will reduce from one Tier to the next. Therefore, the more renewable Systems (c/kWh) heat produced the less the applicant will get paid per unit output.

1 0 300 5.66 2.95 2 300 1,000 3.02 2.95 WHEN WILL THE SCHEME COMMENCE 3 1,000 2,400 0.50 0.50 OPERATION? 4 2,400 10,000 0.50 0.00 The next steps will be to develop the Terms & Conditions and seek 5 10,000 50,000 0.37 0.00 European Commission State Aid approval. Subject to this approval, 6 50,000 N/A 0.00 0.00 it is expected that the scheme applications will commence in 2018.

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