Forestry & Energy Review - Vol 11 Issue 2 Autumn/Winter 2021

Forestry & Energy REVIEW Volume 11 Issue 2 Autumn/Winter 2021 Price €4.95. £4.50 (Stg)

THE OF FORESTRY & RENEWABLE ENERGY Our VOICE Wheeled Harvesters Cutting edge technology. Impressive stability.

Komatsu harvesters have been in the forefront of productivity enhancing technologies for decades, and the best days still ahead. In everything from smarter thinning to heavy duty final felling. Choosing a red harvester will get you maxid productivity from day one and many years to come. Komatsu offers an impressive line-up of market-leading harvests that are paired with equally impressive services. Discover the full Komatsu line-up of market-leading harvesters at cHale Plant Sales including the 901XC, 931XC and 951 which are paired with the equally impressive S and C series harvesting heads.

Contact a member of our sales team for full info: Tim – 087 2381329 / Pat – 086 8366739

Birdhill, Co. Tipperary Tel: 061 -379112 Email: info@mchaleplant.com

Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin Phone: 01 -4018540

www.mchaleplantsales.com

HYDROSED

PROJECT WOODLAND

Sediment impact on forestry operations

Interim project these apply to For Sales & Service please contact: For Sales & Service pleaseHow contact report in full forestry

>> SEE PAGE 44

CARBON CREDITS & TRADING

John Deere Forestry Ltd.

John Deere Ltd. >> SEE PAGE 50 Forestry >> SEE PAGE 20 Ballyknocken, Glenealy, Co. Wicklow. Ireland Ballyknocken, Glenealy, Co. Wicklow, Ireland Tel: +353 +353 (0)404 (0)404 44969 Tel: 44969 (Sales) Contact Ed Power Sales Contact: Ed Power +353 (0)87 2542570 Mob: +353 (0)87 2542570

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Foreword/Contents/Credits

Forestry & Energy REVIEW Volume 11 Issue 2 Autumn/Winter 2021

Features 20 Carbon Credits and Trading in the context of Irish Forestry

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Foreword

W

elcome to the Autumn/Winter Edition of Forestry & Energy Review Magazine.

Carbon credits and carbon trading are topical items for discussion at present. Much of climate change mitigation hinges on carbon sinks and removal by growing more trees.

From 2025 the EU is proposing that the accounting framework will change, but in the context of continuing to reward additional carbon removals as a result of forest expansion and forest management.

Despite these policy signals, reinforced in the Climate Action Plan and it’s annual afforestation target of 8000 ha, we are running well below half that target.

Implementation of the plan needs to speed up Publisher: Denis Lane Tel. + 353 91 777222 Email: dlane@dawnmedia.ie Production: Derbhile Dromey Colin Brennan Contributors: Larry Cummins (Pic Accreditation, The Examiner) Noel Kennedy Teagasc Ciaran Nugent DAFM Marie Doyle UCD Sarah Keenan UCD Charles Harper UCD

Killian Murphy UCD Virginia Morera-Pujol UCD Barry Macmahon UCD Dr Simone Ciuti UCD Maarten Nieuwenhuis UCD Tom Kent WIT Tom Houlihan Teagasc Michael Somers Teagasc John Casey Teagasc OLIVER Sheridan Teagasc Jonathan Spazzi Teagasc Dr. Ian Short Teagasc Dr. James Moran GMIT Dr. Daire Ó hUallacháin UCD Dr. John Finn UCD John O’Connell LTWO Jonathan Sykes LTWO Fergus Moore DAFM

We are all aware of the role that sustainably managed forests, afforestation and the range of wood products play in removing and storing carbon on land, and in displacing damaging fossil fuels and energy intensive materials. As further restrictions are applied to the forestry sector, carbon management will become more important and a potential further income stream.

30 The Teagasc Ash Breeding Programme Developing ash tree genetic resources with tolerance to ash dieback and breeding for suitability under Irish climatic condition. Teagasc research continues to monitor and assess surviving healthy ash trees in Ireland and to include them in the disease screening programme. Preliminary results from the ongoing breeding programme to improve disease tolerance are promising. It is proposed to establish field trials of trees selected from the gene bank that show higher levels of tolerance to the ash dieback disease.

42 Forestry Licensing Dashboard We have published the forestry dashboard for week 4 September, which provides details on all licenses issued for various elements of forestry on a monthly basis for the calendar year to the end of September.

to avoid further issues for the future.

Carbon crediting and receiving direct payments for removal of carbon dioxide through land use is set to become clearer once the Commission’s carbon farming Initiative Is launched in the near future.

In the past year Teagasc has made available a very useful Forest Carbon Tool which provides indicative estimates of carbon sequestration.

Hoping you all Keep safe during these challenging times.

We trust you enjoy reading this publication which will continue to provide a voice for the Forestry and Energy sectors.

The Publisher Forestry & Energy Review Eugene Curran DAFM Dr Kathryn O Donoghue FOCS Teige Ryan None So Hardy Jack Brehony WIT Conor Noonan WIT Declan Little Coillte Nature Eugene Hendrick SmartEarth Dr Dheeraj Rathore Teagasc Eibhlín Vaughan UCD John O’Sullivan UCD Fiachra O’Loughlin UCD Brain Tobin UCD Mary Kelly-Quinn UCD Eva Freeney UCD Johnathan Turner UCD Joe Harrington MTU Rodhraí Crowley MTU

Philip O’Dea Coillte Maurice Ryan Green Belt Ltd. Distribution: EM News Newspread Published by: Dawn Media Ltd, 2 Barrack St Clarinbridge Co Galway Tel. + 353 91 777 222 Email: dlane@dawnmedia.ie

All material contained in this edition is copyright of Forestry and Energy Review 2021 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.

44 HydroSED: Assessing the Hydrological and Sediment Impacts of Forestry Operations in Ireland Water quality can be impacted where fine sediment travels from catchment areas and is transported to rivers and streams through various pathways. This sediment can then settle on the riverbed. If this sediment is excessive and contains contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides it can compromise water quality. Commercial forestry and its inherent association with soil erosion and sediment release may place additional pressures on some waterbodies and this underpins the requirement for effective management of our forest estate.

50 Project Woodlands We have published the interim report in full for those who wish to know the details of progress to date, and work done. Of importance are specific elements relating to the 15km AA screening and a review of the requirement for a license to conduct forest management operations such as thinning and forest roads, having regard to the requirements of European law.

Forestry&Energy

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News

Talking Timber 2021 – the business of selling timber

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alking Timber 2021 - “The Business of forestry – How to sell your timber” was held in June. Presented as a live online broadcast due to COVID-19 restrictions it attracted a large audience of four hundred and fifty viewers.

The format for the one hour broadcast was a mixture of short, onsite videos interspersed with live panel discussions and questions from viewers.

With historically high prices due to severe timber shortages the theme of this year’s event was never more relevant with a focus on how forest owners need to plan in order to get the best result for their forests and themselves when selling timber.

The first video featured Co.Waterford forest owner Tim Reddin who described his experience of thinning and selling his timber. Having just completed a third thinning of his Sitka spruce, Tim emphasised the need for good owner engagement with foresters and timber buyers and strong knowledge sharing. Above all he emphasised the importance of measuring your forest so owners know what is timber volumes and categories they can expect to sell.

Victor Barber, a harvesting forester with the Western Forestry CoOp featured in the second video. He explained the different methods of selling timber, the need to plan early for thinning and forest road construction and the importance of having a strong timber sales contract. His take home message was the necessity for owners to have a pre-sales measurement of their forest to ensure best thinning and timber sales outcomes.

The final video featured Declan McEvoy, Head of Tax with IFAC who summarised the various taxation issues in relation to selling timber. Income from timber sales is exempt of income tax but is liable for USC and PRSI. He also explained about timber sales and VAT and highlighted that VAT unregistered forest owners can charge a flat rate VAT on timber sales. His take home message for forest owners was to seek tax advice in good time before selling timber.

Each video was followed by a panel discussion hosted by Dr.Nuala Ni Fhlatharta, Head of the Teagasc Forestry Development Department.

The expert panel consisted Victor Barber, Seppi Hona, forestry inspector, DAFM, Declan McEvoy and John Casey, Teagasc forestry

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adviser.

The final part of Talking Timber was a dedicated Q&A session where the panel responded to the many questions submitted. Questions ranged from timing of thinning, felling licence issues and forest roads to high pruning, timber measurement, markets and taxation.

A recording of Virtual Talking Timber is at https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=R_4AI0Bt-x0&t=207s For a wide range of thinning and timber marketing information, please see www.teagasc.ie/forestry or contact your local Teagasc forestry adviser.

We have a large supply

of Conifers, Broadleaves and

for

Hedging the

2021-2022 season 2019-2020

News

Teagasc virtual management walks

“

Managing young forests – growing for the future” was the title of a nationwide series of virtual forest walks organised by Teagasc in April.

Presented as webinars by local Teagasc forestry advisers they provided viewers with a visual “walk through” of the typical management needs of forests in their locality and to demonstrate why it is essential to care for young forests.

Over 350 viewers attended the eight webinars reflecting the level of interest among forest owners to learn more about early management topics and what they can do themselves to get the best results.

A range of topics were addressed from the planting and maintenance requirements of new forests, the positive impact of formative shaping on longer term broadleaf tree quality to the management opportunities and challenges of older conifers and broadleaves as they approach first thinning stage.

A really positive outcome reported by all advisers was the strong level of interaction with the audience during the webinars and the response to the innovative online polls on owners’ future management intentions .

Teagasc appoints new Tree Improvement Researcher

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eagasc has announced the appointment of Dr Dheeraj Rathore as a new permanent tree improvement researcher in the Teagasc Forestry Development Department.

Dheeraj Rathore is a molecular biologist with a broad interest in conventional and molecular breeding, genetic improvement and bio-stimulants. His role is to lead the broadleaf tree improvement programme in Teagasc where he will be working as part of the research and advisory team.

Before taking up his new research position, Dr Rathore worked as a crop improvement research technologist in the Teagasc Crop Science Department. In 2017, he was awarded a PhD from University College Dublin funded by Teagasc Walsh Scholarships.

Dr Nuala Ní Fhlatharta, Head of the Forestry Development Department welcomed Dheeraj saying; “Dheeraj will build on, and develop, the work that has been done in Teagasc to date on the selection and improvement of a range of broadleaf tree species. We have already identified and are testing an ash collection that is putatively tolerant to ash dieback. We look forward to working with Dheeraj on progressing this work and working on a range of other tree species with a focus on ensuring quality planting material for our future forests and woodlands.”

Speaking following his appointment, Dheeraj Rathore said: “I am delighted to join the Forestry Development Department and passionate to work with the team of researchers, advisors and educators. I’m excited about the future development of Irish forestry and looking forward to working to improve tree genotypes that are productive and resilient to diseases and pests, and adapted for a changing climate.

Teagasc participates in IUFRO World Day

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Teagasc Forestry Development Department steps onto a world stage to highlight its research and extension activities when it participates in a unique 24 hour event - the IUFRO World Day Digital Science Forum on 28-29 September 2021.

What is IUFRO? IUFRO, the International Union of Forest Research Organizations, offers a global network for voluntary cooperation. The network is open to all individuals and organizations dedicated to forest and forest products research and related disciplines. IUFRO aims to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.

IUFRO is a global, non-profit, non-governmental and nondiscriminatory organization established in 1892 with headquarters in Vienna, Austria. It unites about 650 member organizations in more than 120 countries representing over 15,000 scientists.

What is the IUFRO World Day? Large physical meetings are still not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the cancellation or postponement of many IUFRO events around the world.

To fill this gap and cater for the need of strengthening networking and communication in IUFRO, it was decided to organise an ambitious worldwide digital IUFRO event in September 2021.

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This has developed into the IUFRO World Day Digital Science Forum which will showcase the diversity of the IUFRO Network, including IUFRO Units and IUFRO Member Organizations, to facilitate networking, and to enhance communication and outreach.

To enable participants from all over the world to take part in their own time zones, the event will be structured into three major time zone groups spreading over two days.​ As a member of IUFRO, Teagasc Forestry Development Department accepted an invitation to be part of the IUFRO World Day Digital Science Forum in three time zones around the world with 24 hours of forest-related research topics, networking and emerging issues of relevancy for global policy makers.

Presenting a unique opportunity to meet, interact, share and strengthen global research cooperation, Teagasc forest researchers and advisers will outline their roles and research areas through a series of short video presentations to a global audience.

For further information and regular updates Please visit the IUFRO WORLD DAY website: www.iufroworldday.org.

New Opportunity for Forest Owners Have you, or are you about to receive your final premium payment from the Forest Service?

If so, why not unlock the Future Value of your Forest?

NewGen Forestry Limited is currently offering the perfect solution to landowners looking for a hassle-free, annual income from their forest.

If your forest is 15 years or older, NewGen is offering you the option of selling the harvesting rights to your forest. In return NewGen will offer you an attractive upfront payment plus an annuity payment for up to 20 years. This will provide you with a new and innovative income stream while you, the forest owner, retain 100% ownership of your land. NewGen will also provide a reforestation payment to help replant your forest once felled.

Contact your NewGen Forester - John O’Reilly john@newgenforestry.ie 087 408 4998

www.newgenforestry.ie

News

Hardwood Focus 2021 – free webinar

F

irewood production from thinning broadleaves is the focus for this year’s Hardwood Focus webinar on Thursday 7th October 7-8pm This free event will focus on the efficient production of firewood from young broadleaf forests.

Timely first and second thinning in broadleaf forests is essential in order to provide the better trees with sufficient space for vigorous growth and promote the production of more valuable hardwood sawlog in the medium to longer term.

However the firewood produced from these thinning operations can also be an important by-product of management. The firewood market, together with support from the DAFM thinning grants can help forest owners to generate some additional early income and can act as a very important enabler to broadleaf management.

Topics covered during the webinar will include • Thinning operations best practice • Management grants available to owners • Commercial firewood production • Firewood as a green renewable energy source The format for the event will include a series of short management videos, a live presentation, a live studio panel discussion and an opportunity for attendees to get their questions answered during a live Q&A session.

Videos will include a recent second thinning operation in Limerick and firewood processing by a local Wood Fuel Quality Assured (WFQA) certified firewood business. Noel Gavigan from IrBEA (Irish Bioenergy Association) will discuss the role of firewood as a renewable energy source.

Registration is required. To register for free and book your place follow this link: www.teagasc.ie/hardwoodfocus.

Exclusive Insurance Scheme for Forestry Contractors and Tree Surgeons

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Forestry&Energy

Teagasc Forestry Services

Research

Advice

Training

Our research covers many aspects of the life cycle of a forest from seedling to sawdust. Research is carried out in Teagasc research centres in state-of-the-art laboratories and growing facilities and on privately owned farm forests throughout Ireland.

Teagasc provides objective and independent advisory services to all private landowners on forestry related matters.

Teagasc forestry advisors provide free, independent and objective advice on any technical or financial aspect regarding forestry.

Teagasc offers a wide range of QQI certified practical courses.

Topics can include formative shaping of broadleaves and timber measurement. A forestry qualification from Teagasc enables students to develop wide ranging and interesting careers.

For more information: Visit www.teagasc.ie/forestry Follow @teagascforestry on social media

News

New Teagasc publication on Forest Certification

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imber production from the Irish private forest sector forecast to more than double by 2030. There is increasing pressure on forest owners to reassure consumers that the wood and wood products they buy come from sustainably managed forests. This can be achieved through forest certification.

To increase awareness and provide forest owners with an introduction to forest certification Teagasc has just published “Forest Certification in Ireland” as part of their Farm Forestry Series of brochures.

Forest certification is a process which independently assesses forest management planning and practices against a sustainable forestry management standard which has higher requirements than Ireland’s strict regulatory requirements.

The markets are now demanding certified timber. As the majority of our private forests is not yet certified it may become increasingly difficult for forest owners to sell their timber. So although certification is a voluntary commitment it may become a necessity.

Farm Forestry Series No. 25

Forest Certification in Ireland

To view and download Farm Forestry Series No.25 – Forest Certification in Ireland from the Teagasc forestry website please go to https://www. teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/advice/environment/forest-managementcertification/

Successful Teagasc broadleaf webinar

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lmost 300 people attended a Teagasc webinar in July which focused on the management of young broadleaf forests to ensure quality hardwood timber production.

With broadleaves accounting today for approximately 30% of all Irish forests but with much of our broadleaf farm forest still young and at developing stage, this was a timely opportunity to address important management issues.

The event which was broadcast via Zoom included three management videos followed by a live studio panel discussion with Teagasc forestry researchers and advisers. There was then an opportunity for attendees to get their questions answered during a live Q&A session.

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Forestry&Energy

The three videos, presented by Teagasc forestry adviser Kevin O’Connell addressed the management of young broadleaves, Potential Crop Trees and first thinning.

Each video covered a range of management issues and generated many questions which were addressed by the panel.

A strong theme running through the webinar was that best management practice needs to begin at planting stage, through to establishment stage and continue into older forest development, thinning and beyond.

However it was also acknowledged that people plant broadleaf forests for reasons other than timber production including for biodiversity, water protection, landscape and recreation but that proactive management can optimize the achievement of these ecosystem services.

Topics for discussion and questions from the public included site selection, early pruning, grading trees by quality and vigour, marking for thinning, felling licence delays, harvesting best practice, markets and what management grants are available to owners for thinning, building a forest road and converting to a Continuous Cover Forestry system.

With Teagasc researching aspects of broadleaf establishment and management for more than 20 years, forestry researchers Dr.Ian Short and Oliver Sheridan fielded questions on tree improvement and best thinning practice including the selection criteria for Potential Crop Trees and why it is important to provide these selected trees with sufficient space to grow vigorously into high quality trees.

While the firewood market is a very important market outlet early on, the management focus should be on the production of high value sawlog of sufficient dimensions and quality for planking and use by the joinery and furniture trade.

The webinar was recorded and can be viewed at: https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/news/2021/managing-broadleaves. php

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) provides a range of information on forestry, associated grants and felling licences.

The COFORD, Wood Technology Ireland and Wood Energy websites listed below are hosted by DAFM and provide a range of information important for the development of the forest sector.

The relevant websites are: www.agriculture.gov.ie Forestry Grants and Schemes • Forestry Licence Viewer • Online management tools

www.woodtechnologyireland.ie Independent advice on the specification and use of wood products, and on timber standards

www.woodenergy.ie Advisory service on the wood biomass supply chain and wood fuels

www.coford.ie Download COFORD publications and Connect Notes

For up-to-date and detailed information on forestry grant schemes, visit

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/grantsandpremiumschemes2014-2020/ For contact details of your local Teagasc Forestry Advisor, visit www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/

For Sales & Service please contact:

For Sales & Service please contact John Deere Forestry Ltd. Ballyknocken, Glenealy, John Deere Forestry Ltd. Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Ballyknocken, Co. Wicklow, Ireland Tel: +353 Glenealy, (0)404 44969 Sales Contact: Ed Power +353 (0)87 2542570 Tel: +353 (0)404 44969 (Sales) Contact Ed Power Mob: +353 (0)87 2542570

www.johndeere.ie/forestry

www.johndeere.ie/forestry

Ponsse

Ponsse Solutions For Thinning Sites Growing a productive forest requires hard work and commitment. Correctly timed thinning improves the forest’s growth conditions and makes trees grow sturdier more quickly. Thinning supports forest biodiversity when part of the forest is always in the growth phase.

“

Thinning can also be called improvement felling, as it ensures the productivity of the forest, and the high quality and health of trees,” says Tuomo Moilanen, forest specialist at Ponsse. “The better a forest grows, the better it sequesters carbon. Thinning ensures that trees can be processed into high-quality products that sequester carbon for dozens or even hundreds of years,” says Moilanen.

Ponsse’s harvesters, forwarders and harvester heads have also been designed for thinning sites The six-wheeled PONSSE Beaver and the eight-wheeled PONSSE Fox, Ponsse’s harvesters in the smaller size category, are ideal solutions for first thinning. PONSSE Fox is an excellent choice, especially when operating in soft terrain. High-flotation tracks should be selected as optional equipment for softer terrain to prevent surface damage.

At heavier thinning sites, the PONSSE Cobra and Scorpion harvesters, combined with the H5 or H6 harvester head, are the best choices in terms of productivity. In PONSSE Scorpion, the unobstructed visibility in all directions, together with cabin and crane levelling, makes working smooth even at dense thinning sites. As eight-wheeler machines, both models are also excellent in soft terrain.

While Elk and Wisent are the most popular PONSSE forwarders for thinning sites, Buffalo is also an excellent choice, especially when

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distances are longer, and the aim is to improve productivity. The forwarder can easily pick up trees from thinning sites when trails are properly protected (with branches) and as straight as possible; the fewer sharp bends there are, the less surface damage is caused.

At thinning sites, the harvester head should be selected according to the dominant tree species. However, it should be considered that damaged trees and other trees in poor condition must also be removed from thinning sites, calling for sawing and feed force from the harvester head. The harvester head must be reliable at thinning sites because a large number of trees are produced quickly during each shift.

At thinning sites, much rests on the forest machine operator – the operator decides what trees are removed and what are left standing. The forest owner hands over their assets to a professional forest machine operator to receive the highest possible profit, also in the future.

During September Ponsse organized an online event where our customers and specialists explained more about our solutions for thinning sites.

Watch the web event recording subtitled in English, Swedish, French, German, Russian, Spanish, and Portuguese and learn more: https://youtu. be/SR-4a6fKxPE

HARVESTER OF

TOMORROW

The new Scorpion is here. The best features are the same as before, only further improved.

Good visibility, high stability and excellent ergonomics make the Scorpion a popular choice. A roomier interior and high quality materials raise the comfort to an entirely new level. Once the door is closed to the outside world, all is quiet, elegant and in the right place.

Active Crane is like an arm that can reach for the trunk without needing to think through every motion. It makes the crane easier to use, helping new operators in particular to work more economically and without stressing the machines structures. The boom's end damping prevents shocks in extreme positions. This reduces the stress on the crane and improves comfort. The solution is technically simple and remains reliable even in extreme conditions.

NEW

SCORPION Ponsse Ireland

Tel : +353 578 63 3762

A logger's best friend www.ponsse.com

Komatsu

Government Plans Likely To Fuel Greater Demand For Timber – Leading Distributor Believes

D

espite the many issues besetting the forestry sector at the present time, contractors and the distributors of felling and forwarding equipment must soldier on regardless, believing that busier times are ahead.

One leading distributor adopting a positive outlook is McHale Plant Sales of Birdhill and Rathcoole, whose extensive equipment portfolio includes the Komatsu Forest range of harvesters, forwarders and their ancillary equipment.

As workloads grow and the flow of felling licences increases, McHale Plant Sales confidently expects that its line-up of machinery will have a prominent contribution to make in helping contractors to feed the needs of timber producers and the construction sector. In this context, the Company believes demand for timber is likely to be greater than ever before as Government’s recently announced house building programme gathers pace.

Units to the fore from the McHale Plant Sales forestry stable will be the 901, 931 and 951 harvester series, machines said to be popular with ‘tonnage-conscious, high-output’ contractors, and their hard wearing 835, 845 and 855 forwarders whose ability to work in difficult forest floor conditions has been noted.

Praised for its low ground pressure, stability and good reach, the popular eight-wheeled Komatsu 931XC harvester is designed to deliver excellent manoeuvrability in steep terrain and boasts impressive ground clearance to help reduce ground damage on soft forest floors.

Designed to make light work of inclines and difficult terrain, its various features include an ‘excellent’ operator environment with large cab volume, perfect visibility, and a levelling system that ensures the cab remains horizontal while working on inclines.

A 3-pump hydraulics system allows the operator to work faster and carry out several crane and head functions simultaneously.

Powered by an impressive EU-compliant Stage 4 engine that delivers 185 kW DIN at 1,900 rpm, with reduced fuel consumption, it has a tractive force of 187kN and weighs in from 21,700kg.

A companion unit to the 931XC harvester is the flexible and adaptable Komatsu S132 head. Reliable and efficient, even in the most difficult forests, it has a powerful tractive force and impressive delimbing ability thanks to its three hydraulically operated delimbing knives and fourth moving vertical knife.

Service friendly with good accessibility to service points, vital statistics include a dry weight from 1,364kg, a height of 2,134mm, a

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maximum felling diameter of 720mm and a feed speed of 0–5 m/s.

A top selling stablemate to the 931XC harvester is the highly productive eight-wheeled Komatsu 855 forwarder. Powerful yet compact, it delivers the manoeuvrability and muscle required for optimal productivity and performance.

An all-round forwarder, suitable for both thinning and clear cutting, the 855 features a long reach crane with a high net lifting force, a reliable pillar and hose routing solution and a Combi outer boom.

Its unique hydraulic cab suspension offers a comfortable ride while its short nose and large windows ensure that operators enjoy superb visibility.

Able to transport a gross load of 14,000kg, other statistics include a power output of 170kW DIN, torque of 950Nm at 1500rpm, and a traction force of 187kN. Speaking to Forestry and Energy Review, McHale Plant Sales Chairman Michael McHale expressed his gratitude ‘for the support which the company has received from forestry contractors and the forestry community generally since being appointed distributor for Komatsu Forest some four years ago’.

“Forestry now represents a very significant part of our overall business of which Komatsu construction equipment also forms a major part.

“Our relationship with Komatsu dates back almost 30 years with the result that we are totally at one with Komatsu’s thinking as regards quality, technical and service priorities and customer support issues in general. To that end, we maintain an extensive stock of Komatsu Forest components and parts at our centres in Birdhill and Rathcoole, supported by on-theground representation through our mobile network of factorytrained engineers”.

“In practical terms, this means that all customers are within easy reach of quality parts and hands-on technical support if needed,” McHale added.

Our Wheeled Harvesters

Cutting edge technology. Impressive stability.

The Komatsu harvesters have been in the forefront of productivity enhancing technologies for decades, and the best days are still ahead. In everything from smarter thinning to heavy duty final felling. Choosing a red harvester will get you maximised productivity from day one and many years to come. Komatsu offers an impressive line-up of market-leading harvesters that are paired with equally impressive services. Discover the full Komatsu line-up of market-leading harvesters at McHale Plant Sales including the 901XC, 931XC and 951 which are paired with the equally impressive S and C series harvesting heads.

Contact a member of our sales team for full info: Tim – 087 2381329 / Pat – 086 8366739

Birdhill, Co. Tipperary Tel: 061 -379112 Email: info@mchaleplant.com

Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin Phone: 01 -4018540

www.mchaleplantsales.com

Tree Surgery

Ireland’s Largest Tree Surgery Company:

Dermot Casey Tree Care

Dermot Casey Tree Care is a family-owned tree service that started out in 1972 as a small company. Over the last four decades, our tree service has perfected its skills and blossomed into Ireland’s largest tree company.

I

t comes as no easy feat, however, as our passionate team has put in hard work and dedication to reach high levels of professionalism in the tree industry. Are you interested in getting your trees serviced and want to learn more about our company? Below, we talk about what we’re doing to continue to provide Ireland with the best tree care available today.

DERMOT CASEY TREE CARE IS CHANGING THE TREE INDUSTRY Change is progress here at Dermot Case Tree Care. We understand and appreciate the dynamic changes within the tree industry as new machinery and safety regulations are made. In response to change, we adapt.

Here are just a few ways that we continue to provide the most current, innovative tree industry services.

High Safety Standards and Accreditations Dermot Casey Tree Care is up-to-date on the highest safety standards and accreditations. And it shows, as we have received ESB Network’s Platinum A safety rating three years in a row.

We are I.S.O. Safety Management accredited. This means that we strictly adhere to the progressive guidelines set up to provide our employees, clients, and the general public with the safest tree services possible.

We are driven by high performance and the utmost safety. As such, we also follow all of the Health and Safety Authority guidelines, being sure to be entirely compliant with the safety legislations in place.

We are also the biggest tree service company for ESB Networks’ Overhead Network Vegetation Management Program. In this program,

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we oversee the safest ways to perform services. Before we perform any tree services, each project is risk-assessed and planned by our strategic team to determine the safest ways to conduct our services. There is no safer tree service company in Ireland!

PROFESSIONAL TEAM OF EXPERTS Our team of highly-trained tree professionals are rigorously trained to perform all tree services in the most methodical and expert way.

We offer first-class services because we’re not afraid to push our team members to perform to the best of their abilities.

Our staff are our pride and joy, as they know the importance of our extremely specialized industry. Here at Dermot Casey Tree Care, staff are continuously updated and trained as new standards come into play.

We have changed a lot over the course of the past 40 years, but one thing that has not changed is our ambitious team of arborists.

Providing services nationwide, our crew is checked regularly by qualified supervisors to make sure that they are keeping up with our extensive in-house training program. In training, each member of the team is taught the vital skills necessary for upholding our reputation as the best tree service Ireland has to offer. We even have an in-house safety officer who conducts ongoing audits of all of our staff, our equipment, and the safety procedures that keep our community safe and thriving.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT At a time when environmentalism is becoming ever more prominent, Dermot Casey Tree Care has stayed up-to-date on the most environmentally-friendly ways to provide tree services to the community. Environmental protection is key to our business’s mission.

Tree Surgery

All of our services use energy-efficient techniques to reduce pollution and lower our carbon footprint. We comply with all legal requirements for environmental responsibility within the tree service sector.

Even our large diameter chippers are environmentally-friendly in that they produce Biofuel, which is a form of renewable energy.

•

MODERN, UPDATED EQUIPMENT Technology is an ever-changing world. In order to keep up with the changes within the tree service industry, we continuously update our machinery as technological advancements emerge.

We were Ireland’s first company that used insulated platform equipment in working with dangerous power lines. We also were one of the first on board for using self-propelled mulching machines that have grown in popularity across Ireland in recent years.

Currently, we have invested in the best of the best when it comes to equipment. Examples of our latest machinery include: • Purpose-built forest tractors.

• Felling grapples.

• 20” self-propelled chippers.

• Site clearance tracked mulchers.

• Excavators with telescopic booms fitted with sip mulcher or bio harvesting shears.

Having current machinery increases performance, ensuring that we get projects done in a timely manner.

•

TREE SERVICES WE PROVIDE Dermot Casey Tree Care provides tree services to both residential and commercial areas, playing a prominent role in the landscaping and tree maintenance of many communities within Ireland. We value our community’s safety, and trees are an important part of that safety.

Here are the numerous services that our tree company provides:

• •

• • •

Tree Surgery- tree branches are carefully and safely removed using professionally-approved practices.

Stump Removal- unsightly tree stumps are removed completely and properly disposed of Hedge Cutting- aesthetic hedge maintenance makes your hedges look professional and attractive Tree Services- this includes state-of-the-art tree removal, pruning, and trimming Site Clearance- high-tech robotic mulchers remove trees from domestic and commercial sites Landscaping- planting, shaping, and other landscape maintenance is conducted year-round, for every season and occasion 24-Emergency Works- dangerous trees that pose safety hazards to passersby are removed around the clock

SAFETY YOU CAN TRUST We understand the hazards that come with performing specialized services such as tree surgery. That is why we are 100% committed to the reduction of any harm that might befall our team, clients, and general public.

When you work with us, you know you are in safe hands.

GET YOUR FREE EXPERT QUOTE If you’re ready to have your trees serviced by Ireland’s first and biggest tree surgery company, then look no further. Dermot Casey Tree Care is here to help you every step of the way. With our professional team of tree experts, we will work with you from start to finish to provide your trees with the best tree care services available.

Contact us today via telephone 022-55000 or email at treecare@ dermotcasey.com to get started with a free quote.

Forestry&Energy

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Carbon

Carbon Credits and Trading in the context of Irish Forestry.

By Eugene Hendrick

INTRODUCTION We are all aware of the role that sustainably managed forests, afforestation and the range of wood products play in removing and storing carbon on land, and in displacing damaging fossil fuels and energy intensive materials.

Figure 1.

Figure 1: Global view of the NASA Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), based on data collected by instrumentation on the NASA Terra satellite. Image taken from the NASA NEO site, which provides periodic views of change in the extent of vegetation growth and, by inference, photosynthetic activity, covering the period from 2000. In this image, from the month of August 2019, dark green areas show where there was a lot of green leaf growth; light greens show where there was some green leaf growth; and tan areas show little or no growth. Black means “no data”. Monthly vegetation patterns vary in both hemispheres (https://neo.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/view. php?datasetId=MOD_NDVI_M, accessed 31 January 2020).

Many reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC for short) have outlined and quantified how forests help to mitigate climate change, and as well the critical importance of maintaining and expanding global forest cover. Change and Land – an IPCC special report issued in 2019 – says: Land is both a source and a sink of GHGs [greenhouse gases] and plays a key role in the exchange of energy, water and aerosols between the land surface and atmosphere. Land ecosystems and biodiversity are vulnerable to ongoing climate change, and weather and climate extremes, to different extents. Sustainable land management can contribute to reducing the negative impacts of multiple stressors, including climate change, on ecosystems and societies (high confidence).

While the forest sector is a key part of climate change mitigation, the most important action is of course to reduce emissions rapidly across all sectors, including farming, transport, and across all forms of fossil use, from energy to materials. This is order to control and ultimately reverse the rise in atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide which are now at their highest level since the Pliocene period three to five million years ago, the last time that carbon dioxide levels were as high as they are today.

Ireland, as we know from EPA reports has had a poor record in meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, across all sectors.

To address these shortcomings the new Climate Act proposes to significantly ramp up performance, and puts us on a legally binding path to net-zero emissions no later than 2050, with a 51% reduction 20

Forestry&Energy

in emissions (based on 2018 levels) proposed by 2030. A challenging target that will entail radical policies to reverse past and current trends.

Figure 2: Monthly carbon dioxide concentration at Mauna Loa observatory, 1958 (313 ppm) to November 29 2020 (415 ppm). Figure courtesy of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego.

Carbon

THE PERTURBATION (DISRUPTION) OF THE GLOBAL CARBON CYCLE CAUSED BY HUMAN ACTIVITY. Schematic representation of the overall perturbation of the global carbon cycle caused by anthropogenic activities, averaged globally for the decade 2009–2018, in billion tonnes C/ yr. See legends for the corresponding arrows and units. The anthropogenic perturbation occurs on top of an active carbon cycle, with fluxes and stocks represented in the background. (Figure 2 from Friedlingstein et al 2019, reproduced without amendment, data source references are in the original figure caption).

SECTORAL CHALLENGES Agriculture is one of the most challenging areas. According to the EPA, agriculture emissions reached some 21.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, or about 35% of total national emissions in 2019.

Meanwhile, the national dairy herd continues to expand, especially since the lifting of milk quotas in 2015. So, in tandem with significant reductions in emissions what must forestry and the wider land use do, in order to move towards net zero by mid-century?

Some of the measures are already there – from this year onwards forestry will be part of the EU’s greenhouse gas accounting framework.

At the national level forest carbon capture (including storage in wood products) will enable compliance with emission reduction targets. From 2025 the EU is proposing that the accounting framework will change, but in the context of continuing to reward additional carbon removals as a result of forest expansion and forest management. Despite these policy signals, reinforced in the Climate Action Plan and its annual afforestation target of 8,000 ha, we are running well below half target.

Also, for a variety of reasons, forests are being felled in advance of the optimum length of time for carbon capture (and indeed long-term financial return). So do we need to look at complementary ways across the EU to encourage farmers and others into the afforestation space, and to manage their forest assets in a way move that moves land use faster along the climate neutrality road.

Certainly, the EU Commission thinks so. It acknowledges that the “land sector is key for reaching a climate-neutral economy”. It also points to the need for direct incentives for the adoption of climatefriendly practices, in the absence of a specific policy to “incentivise the increase and protection of carbon sinks for individual land managers”.

To enable such incentives the Commission announced in the Farm to Fork Strategy that it will launch a Carbon Farming initiative in 2021 to “promote a new green business model that rewards climate–friendly practices by land managers, based on the climate benefits they provide”.

A Technical Guidance Handbook on setting up carbon farming projects has been published.

Figure 3: A number of IPCC reports point to role that afforestation and forest management have as a necessary part of global effort to mitigate climate change – and most recently in the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land, which issued in 2019.

CARBON REMOVAL A key supporting imitative to enable the carbon farming initiative will be a legislative proposal from the Commission on the certification of carbon removals, which is set to be announced in 2022. While there are a number of existing public and private sector initiatives to incentivise

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and its storage in plant biomass and the soil. It is estimated that the net removal of carbon in Irish forests from the atmosphere is 3.6 MT CO2 per year. Establishing a farm forest can contribute to the global environment and benefit the farm in terms of carbon sequestration.

If a forest is clear-felled and replanted, significant levels of carbon can be stored in the harvested timber if used in construction (e.g. roof of a house). Carbon can also be released and recaptured as the new forest grows again. Forests offer carbon storage through on-site

Carbon storage, removal from harvested wood products and emission avoidance by substitution of fossil fuel energy.

G

E

CA

O N STORA B R

CO2 C

C

C

O2

Figure 4: The Teagasc Forest Carbon Tool is well worth consulting for those interested in getting an indication of the sequestration potential of different 6 Sustainable Benefits of Forests types of afforestation. carbon sequestration in forests, a significant stumbling block has been issues around who certifies associated carbon credits, against which standards, and how can be used for either corporate responsibility purposes or for more specific compliance type credits. In the latter case a company or enterprise could use the credits to offset emissions, or the credits could be confined to the farm enterprise level. It is important that the Commission proposal brings greater clarity to this area, and enables the adoption of a straightforward and easy-to-operate regulatory system to certify the authenticity of results-based carbon removals arising from measures such as afforestation and peatland restoration.

With the overall carbon farming initiative, and in tandem with national policies such as the afforestation programme, it should support expansion of forest cover over and above current levels, and potentially enable forest owners to be rewarded for additional removals. Scale is important, given the climate challenge and the EU objective of climate neutrality, and the afforestation programme needs a major uplift.

The nuts and bolts of measuring carbon removals from forests is set out in IPCC guidelines and these are used for national reporting.

Ireland has a well-developed and state-of-the-art system for national measurement of carbon stock changes in forests. Note we are talking here of stock change. All carbon accounting works on the basis of stock change, not on stocks. So we talk of so many tonnes of carbon sequestered per hectare, per year. The reason is simple. Emissions are

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also counted as rates of greenhouse gas removals per year. So apples with apples. Also, as forests can also be sources of emissions, we need to arrive at net annual changes in the amounts. At the farm or forest level there are a number of tools available to provide estimates of (separate from certification) carbon stock change. In the past year Teagasc has made available a very useful Forest Carbon Tool, which provides indicative estimates of carbon sequestration. It draws on the methodologies used for national reporting and is well worth consulting for those interested in the area.

As a caveat it must be said that the use of carbon credits from land use for direct offsetting purposes in other sectors has been open to accusations of greenwashing. Offsets should not be treated as an alternative to reducing emissions, but as a means to offset unavoidable emissions. As the UN Environment Programme points out, they are best used only temporarily, “to avoid delaying transition to a low- or zero-carbon sector”. Also, in generating offsets in the land sector the risk of reversals from fire damage, insect attack or other natural disturbances needs to be carefully considered and built into the project design. In the forest context, the impact of harvest and associated liabilities also needs to be dealt with at the project level. There are ways to transparently deal with these issues, the key point is they need to be dealt with upfront so everybody is fully aware of risks and contingencies.

CONCLUSION Carbon crediting and receiving direct payments for removal of carbon dioxide through land use is set to become clearer once the Commission’s carbon farming initiative is launched later this year. In addition, the legislative proposal due from the Commission in 2022 on the certification of carbon removals will be a key development to provide a structure for investors and land owners to engage in landbased (and other) carbon removal systems. These developments are needed to bring greater clarity to those involved in afforestation, enhanced forest management and other measures to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In the meantime, the Teagasc Forest Carbon Tool provides a good insight into the likely rates of carbon dioxide removals across conventional afforestation methods.

Furthermore, good record keeping in relation to management operations and interventions such as thinning is always advisable when considering the rate of carbon uptake and release from forests.

Eugene Hendrick, leading on climate and land use at SmartEarth www.smartearth.ie

Liebherr specialist machines for the timber industry

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A reliable partner for your timber and forestry needs With over 50 years’ experience in the UK’s material handling and earthmoving market, Liebherr-Great Britain is the first port of call for operators wanting a professional, reliable and productive solution to their timber handling and forestry requirements.

Liebherr manufactures a wide range of tele-handlers, wheeled loaders, wheeled and crawler material handlers, excavators and dozers for use in the initial harvesting stage through to the loading of finished products and residues.

Our range of equipment can be supplied in standard material handling specification or designed to suit your application, and comes with full support from the manufacturer.

35a Derryall Road, Portadown, Co. Armagh E: info@oakleafforestry.com T: +442838330011

Oakleaf

Getting the Right Machine for the Job

Sometimes a light hand is needed for Estate Management and Thinning By Mairead Kelly is essential to achieve financial viability in the earliest thinnings, especially where forest holdings are small in area. A single operator can complete both harvesting and extraction of the produce and can be ready to move onto another site. Managing Director Joe Litter said, “Vimek have been making the 610 forwarder and 404 harvester for years. They’re well proven and well tested, but the difference in the trees they face in Sweden versus what they might face in Ireland or Scotland is night and day. There’s a big difference in the way the trees grow and how early the intervention is.

“Naturally, that made us keen to put the Duo to the test and see what it can do. Customers have been really impressed, as it is easy to move around between sites and it has the power you need.”

While Finnish machinery manufacturer Sampo Rosenlew has recently developed a 21-tonne eight-wheeled harvester, its dedicated thinnings harvester the HR46x stems from a concept developed almost a quarter of a century ago. Continuous improvement of the design has produced an extremely productive harvester that can be delivered at 8,000kg in weight and with a width of only 2.1m if required. Cab design has not only been developed to improve the comfort of the operator but also to allow the eyes to flick upwards to the canopy to ensure the optimum selection is being made.

The bunk of Sampo Rosenlew’s lightest forwarder, the FR28 can carry a full 10-tonne load of timber. The Mesera 71F loader has a 10m reach so if produce from the harvesting head is well presented, the forwarder can pick up full loads from a few well-spaced main extraction routes.

For further information on the range of machines we carry visit, our website at www.oakleafforestry.com.

O

ne of the perpetual challenges of forest management is ensuring you have the right tool for the job - or the right machine for the right woodland. The choice of machine size used should be based on the type of forest, the task to be carried out and the aims of the forest owner. In the world of commercial forestry, demand for speed and efficiency has delivered bigger and heavier machines, capable of clearing swathes of trees in record time. However, estate management and initial thinning requires a lighter touch. In terms of machinery, while it needs to be powerful, it must also be small and nimble enough to go in and out of the woods without doing any damage.

Oakleaf Forestry is UK and Ireland’s leading distributor of some of the best harvesting units in the industry. Vimek 404 Duo, Sampo Rosenlew HR46x harvester and FR28 forwarder.

The Vimek 404 Duo is a true mini-harvesting system. Efficiency

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Forestry&Energy

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Irish Forestry

The Teagasc Ash Breeding Programme

Developing ash tree genetic resources with tolerance to ash dieback and breeding for suitability under Irish climatic conditions. Dr.Dheeraj Rathore, Teagasc Tree Improvement Researcher discusses progress in this important research.

INTRODUCTION Ash is ecologically, economically and culturally one of our most important native trees. Now its survival is increasingly threatened by ash dieback disease which is causing widespread severe damage and mortality. Teagasc’s Ash Breeding Programme aims to develop ash tree genetic resources with tolerance to ash dieback.

ASH IN IRELAND Common European ash (Fraxinus excelsior, Irish: Fuinseóg) is one of the common native broadleaf trees in Irish hedgerows and is also

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a traditional woodland species. It grows well in a variety of soils including acidic, alkaline, loamy, sandy, wet, and clay soils, but thrives well in moist, deep well-drained soils of pH6–7, with high available nitrogen content. Also, vegetation control is extremely important in ash plantations due to its sensitivity to the competition from weeds for both moisture and nutrients. The ash flowers before the leaves develop as it is one of the tree species to come late into leaf and one of the first to lose the leaves in autumn. The tree provides biodiversity benefits and the timber is of good economic value which is prominently used as firewood, making hurley sticks, snooker cues, floor, and furniture.

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Worrell Harvesting are looking to secure timber from clearfells, thinnings, fire damaged wooded areas, Christmas trees, etc – and roadside timber. We buy both hardwood and softwood. You will receive prompt payment and a professional approach.

GET YOUR FREE QUOTATION Farmers don’t burn bushes there may be Value in them Contact us today for higher prices per hectare and no reforest in Clearfell

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Irish Forestry

ASH DIEBACK Ash trees are considered as climax vegetation signifying that if nature was left to take its course, much of the country would eventually be forested by ash. However, since 2012 its survival has been threatened by the discovery of ash dieback disease caused by the fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. This pathogen was previously known as Chalara fraxinea and H. pseudoalbidus, which originated in eastern Asia.

An outbreak of ash dieback disease has spread from east to west across Europe after being, first noted in Poland in 1992. It is believed that H. fraxineus perhaps arrived in Eastern Europe on Fraxinus mandshurica (Manchurian ash) or F. chinensis (Chinese ash) trees imported from far east Asia. These two asiatic ash species are known to co-exist with the H. fraxineus fungus in nature with no significant losses, which can be a valuable resource of genetic tolerance to crossbreed with susceptible European ash. Unfortunately our common European ash is extremely susceptible to ash dieback disease , including its ‘Pendula’ ornamental variety, and narrow-leaved ash species (Fraxinus angustifolia). Since the first finding of the fungal pathogen in 2012, the disease has spread across the country with a devastating impact on our ash trees.

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LIFECYCLE OF ASH DIEBACK DISEASE Unlike other fungal and oomycete plant pathogens, H. fraxineus has a complex life cycle. Infection first begins when the spores of the fungus, carried by the wind, land on the (A) healthy leaves over the summer months causing necrotic lesions. The infection continues further to cause (B) severe symptoms on ash leaves and the fungal mycelium progressively grows down through the leaf petioles/rachis into the woody parts of the tree, causing (C) diamond-shaped lesions. These lesions can eventually encircle the branch/main stem of the tree to cut off the nutrient supply from leaves leading to the loss of a part of its crown or in some cases, as a whole.

Infected leaves fall on the ground during the autumn months on which the fungus survives during the winter months. By early summer, (D) the rachises show early-stage growth of H. fraxineus pre-fruiting bodies. Fertilization of these, possibly by conidiophore spermatia, promotes (E) the formation of mature fruiting bodies that release microscopic ascospores in the air where they make their way to land on healthy ash leaves to complete the cycle. Therefore, the disease has spread much faster from an infected area to healthy trees by wind-borne spores, which can travel several miles from its original source. Ash dieback disease affects trees of all ages while younger trees show higher susceptibility and rapid mortality compared to older trees.

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Irish Forestry

ASH TREE IMPROVEMENT RESEARCH In Teagasc, a breeding programme to develop ash genotypes with improved disease tolerance started in 2015. As part of this research work, a field trial consisting of 1000 Irish genotypes was established in a high disease pressure region of Lithuania for disease screening and identification of any tolerant trees. Separately, Teagasc established a collection of around 200 genotypes of ash from other European countries that were showing higher tolerance to the disease.

From the Irish genotype trial in Lithuania and genotypes collected from other european countries, a gene bank has been established in Ireland to screen for their tolerance and adaptability under Irish climatic conditions. Based on preliminary data collected over the last two years, around 15% of the trees are showing higher tolerance to the disease.

Ongoing research is focused on exploiting the vegetative micropropagation techniques to rapidly multiply these genotypes for further disease screening, genetically and phenotypically in the field.

The long-term aim of this work is to multiply these tolerant genotypes for establishing a clonal seed orchard and continue field testing of clones as well as progeny to restore ash in the Irish landscape.

In addition to the above research work, cross-breeding of common European ash with exotic (Asiatic) ash species may result in tolerant ash genotypes that are resilient to diseases/pests as well as climate change.

Previous work led to the identification of 14 confirmed hybrids using genetic barcoding from a total of 157 putative hybrid trees. These hybrids will be added to the outdoor gene bank for further testing including disease tolerance. Any tolerant ash hybrids could then be back-crossed to common ash to bring the disease tolerance genes into Irish native ash.

TOLERANCE VERSUS RESISTANCE Tolerance and resistance are two different strategies to combat a disease.

These two terms are often used interchangeably in the context of ash dieback disease, but they do not mean the same.

To clarify this: • Resistance is the ability to restrict the pathogen burden. It is an absolute term where a tree completely immunizes itself to the disease. The trees show no disease symptoms under any circumstance. Resistance to ash dieback has not yet been reported in any studied populations of common ash.

• Tolerance on the other hand is the capability of an organism, in this case, ash trees, to survive the high disease pressure with low to mild symptoms and without any significant loss of leaf canopy or tree vigour. While these trees are symptomatic of ash dieback disease, their innate immunity helps them to overcome the disease in a particular environment. Such trees can be considered tolerant trees.

• Previous research shows that up to 2 % of common ash in a

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given population can be naturally tolerant to the ash dieback disease. Swedish research over a 10 year period has shown that this tolerance to the disease is stable and heritable trait from one generation to the next when trees are vegetatively propagated to produce clones.

• Tolerance is more about co-existence which can benefit both the host and the pathogen, while resistance does not let the pathogen take any benefits from the host and is beneficial to the host.

• Therefore, selecting tolerant trees with wider genotypic variation and varying levels of genetic diversity to breed highly tolerant or resistant trees could be an efficient strategy to maintain genetic gain and productivity.

With research showing that up to 1-2 per cent of ash trees show natural tolerance to ash dieback, every surviving tree is extremely valuable for tree breeding, reforestation efforts, and genetic conservation. Therefore one recommendation that tree-breeders and researchers can provide is not to cut the ash trees that have survived the disease over the last decade or so but to retain them for potential breeding.

THE FUTURE The Teagasc research continues to monitor and assess surviving healthy ash trees in Ireland and to include them in the disease screening programme. Preliminary results from the ongoing breeding programme to improve disease tolerance are promising.

It is proposed to establish field trials of trees selected from the gene bank that show higher levels of tolerance to the ash dieback disease.

This will be followed by seed-producing orchards for the deployment of the tolerant material. Progeny trials will be conducted in different locations for adaptability, phenology, and productivity, once the seed production commences.

Even though it a lengthy and expensive process, tree breeding is an essential part of the tree improvement research programme which may help to save our ash trees for future generations.

The Teagasc research is being carried out in collaboration with national and international partners along with Coillte and OPW to establish multiple gene banks of tolerant ash across Ireland. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) continues to support the research work on Ash breeding and genetic conservation led by Teagasc.

Important links: https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/advice/forest-protection/ash-dieback/ lifecycle-of-hymenoscyphus-fraxineus/ https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/advice/forest-protection/ash-dieback/ research/ https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/research/ash-resistance-to-ash-dieback/ http://coford.ie/media/coford/content/publications/cofordconnects/ CCNRM22BreedintoleranceAshDiebackDisease160620.pdf

GALLINAGH FINN VALLEY NURSERY LTD, GARDEN CENTRE Email: sales@gallinaghnursery.ie Web: www.gallinaghnursery.ie

GROWING & STILL GROWING SINCE 1986 THE MAIN PRIVATE GROWERS & PROVIDERS OF HARDWOODS, CONIFERS, ORNAMENTAL, TREE SHRUBS & ROSES - We also grow and provide Christmas Trees - The ONLY PRIVATE GROWER OF HAWTHORN * LAUREL * BEECH * ESCALLONIA * GRISELINIA AND OTHER SEASIDE & INLAND HEDGING IN THE NORTHWEST We also stock Peatmoss, compost, barkchips, tree stake, tree ties, windbreak (netting) & ground cover

Backleas, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal, F93AD62 Proprietor: John Gallinagh Tel: 0749132612 Contact Conor Gallinagh, BAgrSc, Horticulture, 087 6496887 John Gallinagh: 087 6988481

Commercial Feature Commercial Feature

Rabaud Launch new Xylor range of Forest Mulchers Now available for Demonstration at Home Forestry LLP

H

ome Forestry llp, UK agents for Rabaud Forestry and agricultural machinery have launched a range of Forest mulchers and mowers.

The Rabaud Xylor range of Forest PTO mulchers offer 4 fixed teeth Mulchers with a power requirement from 80-300hp with helical rotor design and changeable counter knives.

Working widths range from 2.0 -2.2m. The Rabaud Xylor cutting capacity ranges from 200-400mm diameter material depending on the model. Hydraulic folding rear door and anti-wear adjustable height skids, Front and rear chain protection. There is the option of a Hydraulic clutch to offer protection to the two larger models and hydraulic branch pusher with or without rake teeth. Home Forestry llp will take delivery of the XYLOR 2200/250 T for 175-250hp tractor in June and have it for demonstrations.

There are also 3 heavy duty mowers requiring 80-125 hp. A helical rotor with swinging teeth, deigned to mulch material up to 150mm, they come with 1 set of counter teeth as standard with an option for an additional set. Working widths range from 1.8 -2.2m, front and rear chain protection are standard with a fixed scrub pusher frame is an

optional extra.

The range is completed with excavator mounted mulching heads designed for excavators from 8-15 and 14-21 tonne. Both have the helical rotors with fixed teeth. The mulcher heads have a capacity of 14cm on the smaller unit to 25cm on the larger head. Working width of the head is 140cm.

For more info and prices contact Home Forestry llp, www. homeforestry.co.uk, email nathan@homeforestry.co.uk. 07966365157, 01746718456

Suppliers of new and used forestry firewood and fencing machinery Contact us for a demo at our Forestry Yard

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Forest Owners

Family Tree Impact Investments to invest €50m in acquiring harvesting rights over next 3 years Forestry management company brings valuable income stream to private forest growers.

A

new forestry investment platform, Family Tree Impact Investments (“FTI”) recently announced the launched plans to deploy €50m into the private forest estate over the next 3 years.

The FTI platform, operated by sustainable forestry manager NewGen Forestry, will acquire forestry harvesting rights from existing plantation owners, both farmers and private forest owners.

STRUCTURE OF FTI/NEWGEN PARTNERSHIP FTI and NewGen Forestry have secured backing from institutional investors and private offices and is targeting the acquisition of harvesting rights of 2,000 hectares of land in its first year of operations, with plans to build a minimum portfolio of €50m of assets by the end of 2023.

NewGen Forestry is led by John O’Reilly, former CEO of one of Irelands largest forest management companies. Seed investors in FTI and NewGen include the O’Kane Family – the founders of Mercury Engineering.

INCOME STREAMS OFFERED TO FOREST OWNERS FTI offers a new and innovative income stream to forest owners, whilst also taking a long-term view compared to the traditional forestry

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model, with greater focus on the environmental benefits that the forests can deliver for communities and investors.

In return for the acquisition of harvesting rights from the landowner or farmer, FTI offers landowners the opportunity to receive up to 30% of the forest value upfront, with the balance being paid over 20 years in an annuity-like, inflation linked income stream. NewGen will focus initially on forests that have come to, or are close to, the end of the Government’s Forest Service Premium scheme (i.e. plantations that are 15 years old or more.)

Unlike a traditional forest sale, the owner does not have to sell the underlying land: instead NewGen will simply take over the management of the existing forestry. It will remove all future operational costs that the forest owners traditionally incur, including insurance costs, managing the licensing process, attaining environmental approvals and general reporting costs.

Under the terms of the deal, NewGen will also provide a reforestation payment to replant the forest along with offering the landowner the option of an innovative payment mechanism to secure the second rotation.

Forest Owners

WHY NEWGEN CREATED THIS OFFER NewGen believes its offer will help forest owners leverage the potential income of their forest plantation. The forestry sector is extremely lucrative and contributes €2.3 billion to the Irish GDP. The annual turnover of the wood processing sector was €800m in 2019, and this is expected to double by 2035.

11% of the country’s landmass is covered in forest. Almost half of this forestry (49%) is in private hands. However, the average size of the private forest plantations that provide this wood is just 8.6 hectares, and more than 80% of these plantations are owned by farmers.

By purchasing the harvesting rights to these plantations, NewGen will offer the plantation owners a guaranteed annual revenue that reflects the true value of their forestry plantation. It will also help to consolidate the forestry available in Ireland, ensuring it is managed more efficiently and in a more environmentally sustainable manner.

If you would like to discuss your options for converting the future value of your forest into income now, then please contact us. You can get in touch with NewGen’s regional representatives and CEO using the details below.

For Leinster and Ulster contact: • John O’Reilly - 087 408 4998 / john@newgenforestry.ie • Andrew Dowds - 087 451 0178 / andrew@newgenforestry.ie For Munster and Connaught contact: • Ned Heffernan - 087 668 8832 / ned@newgenforestry.ie • Thomas Fogarty - 087 443 8605 / thomas@newgenforestry.ie

HOW PURCHASE OF HARVESTING RIGHTS WORKS NewGen Will Help Forest Owners: • Retain ownership of their land – no need to sell.

• Unlock the future value within their forest now.

• Convert future harvesting revenues (possibly 10 to 20 years away) into either: - An immediate upfront payment plus 20 years of annuity payments.

- Annuity payments alone.

BENEFITS OF OFFER NewGen’s scheme will bring significant benefits to forest owners and to the forestry sector as a whole, which include the following.

• Forest owners will receive tax-efficient payments and will have the chance to retain any outstanding premium payments that may still be due from the Forest Service.

• NewGen will manage the forest in accordance with best-in-class sustainability practices to enhance the biodiversity and biological growth and ingrowth of the forest.

• Forest owners can transfer the cost, timing and financial risk associated with applying for licenses to fell and related environmental reporting.

• Forest owners can unburden themselves from all further management costs, insurance, road construction, day-to-day management, and harvesting costs.

The proposed model addresses some of the major concerns voiced by forest owners, such as: how do I manage my forest when I stop receiving premium payments from the Government, and how do I pay for the replanting of my forest?

Commenting on the launch, John O’Reilly, Chief Executive of NewGen Forestry said: “NewGen and FTI provide the perfect match between landowners looking to obtain a hassle-free income from their forestry, this offering is all about giving forest owners options, allowing them to make real time decisions, and moves away from the traditional model of waiting until clear fell to receive income from your forest.

NewGen will carry out an onsite inventory and will make an offer to the forest owner based on real and achievable returns. We do not lowball forest valuations; we value what we find on the ground”.

The acquisition of harvesting rights from private growers is a common international practise and the model is also consistent with the aspirations of the Programme for Government to help drive the consolidation of management of privately owned forestry in Ireland.

This will make it easier for the forestry sector to deal with the increasing regulatory, environmental and compliance demands.

ABOUT NEWGEN Established in 2020, NewGen will bring a fresh and innovative approach to Irish forestry. Through its deep forestry and sustainable investing expertise New Gen will deliver real options to forest owners.

The NewGen approach will channel institutional investment funds to deliver benefits to landowners in rural Ireland, a solid return for investors, and a strategy consistent with Government policy objectives. http://newgenforestry.ie/

Forestry&Energy

39

ECO LOG 1250F THE COMPLETE ALLROUNDER WITH A TRACTIVE PULLING FORCE OF 200KNM AND SMOOTH OPERATING EPSILON CRANES ITS LEADING THE WAY IN A FIELD OF MANY.

ECO LOG AND GREMO MERGE

Eco Log and Gremo, two of forestry’s most innovative brands, have strengthened their relationship and have merged to produce the most diverse range of harvesters and forwarders that has ever been produced. This range can cater for any contractor’s needs and demands. The combined experience of the two teams have created a perfect range of machines for every terrain and every forest.

All machines will be branded in the Eco Log colours and name. The machine Line-up consists of no less than five forwarder models with a loading capacity from 8.5 to 20 tonnes.

Forwarder Type

Load Capacity

Eco Log 750

8.5 tonnes

Eco Log 1050

10.5 tonnes

Eco Log 1250

12.5 tonnes

Eco Log 574F

14 tonnes

Eco Log 584F

16 tonnes

Eco Log 594F

20 tonnes

The already-wide range of Eco Log harvesters will be complemented with a small eight-wheeled harvester; Eco Log 1058, 16 tonnes weight.

UNIT B NURE HOUSE CLONCOLLIG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TULLAMORE CO OFFALY

CALL LIAM BERGIN 086 607 9564 EMAIL: LIAMBERGINGREMO@HOTMAIL.COM WWW.LBGREMO.COM

ECO LOG IRELAND

Sales and servicing for all Eco Log machines is provided on a nationwide basis. Same day or next day service is facilitated by our team of outstanding fitters and by our strategic location in the Midlands in Tullamore Co Offaly. We have a wide range of parts in stock at all times and have developed a very efficient supply chain that enables overnight delivery of parts when required ensuring that there is minimal disruption to your operations.

We provide complimentary advice to all of our customers by phone or video conferencing to enable you to get the most from your machines and to be your partner in business.

Contact us to discuss your needs and requirements so that we can develop a bespoke product solution for you and be your trusted partner in forestry. Call us on 086-6079564 to speak with our sales department.

CALL LIAM BERGIN 086 607 9564

0

50

100

150

200

250

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

2021

56 60

79 84

Target

60

Issued

98 106 94 112

120

212

12

Monthly target for private licences with ecology input (excluding Coillte felling licences)

2020

34

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Number Afforestation Licences Issued

2021

0 w/e 6th Afforestation

0

3

40

20

18

60

25 20

2

3 Roads

w/e 27th

14

Coillte Felling

6 3 10

0

20

40

2021

Afforestation

w/e 3rd

5

13

41

51

Roads

w/e 24th

14 17

53

59

Coillte Felling

9 w/e 17th

7

Private Felling

w/e 10th

13

69

55

3

61

65

Number of Licences Issued - September 2021

2020

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Number Tree Felling Licences Issued

Page 1 of 2

Thinning licences issued 28 for 358.95ha; Clear fell licences 84 for 859.59ha.

Private Felling

w/e 20th

11

10 w/e 13th

14

21

60

80

100

80

140

0

120

5

Number of Licences Issued - August 2021

2020

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

100

200

300

400

500

100

120

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Number Road Licences Issued

Forestry Licensing Dashboard – Week 4, September 2021

0

2020 Issued

2020 Planted

2021 Issued

2021 Planted

0

5

200

100

15

20

10

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Issued V Planted 2020 and 2021 (ha)

Roads

Felling **As notified to the Department by the FAC

Afforestation

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Appeals Received (Rolling 12 months)

Hectares/Kilometres for Licences Issued Roads Felling Kilometres Hectares Volume m3 2019 2020 2021 2019 2020 2021 2020 2021 38 5 20 5,260 1,170 2,882 208,186 831,530 20 10 29 13,949 1,400 1,691 433,000 531,010 12 15 26 13,512 1,462 1,059 424,056 298,959 20 16 19 9,478 1,437 950 428,884 303,190 18 13 29 3,631 1,332 1,980 325,938 564,007 19 9 26 2,575 694 3,734 175,766 933,153 15 12 8 2,764 1,003 1,105 288,754 319,961 14 10 19 1,606 1,904 1,144 539,706 343,035 14 10 12 1,485 1,183 4,918 216,019 1,384,568 8 7 633 2,387 761,213 7 10 1,205 2,335 644,314 9 13 1,097 1,935 577,531 194 130 188 57,197 18,241 19,464 5,023,366 5,509,413

300

400

500

600

January February March April May June July August September October November December Totals

Afforestation Hectares 2019 2020 2021 430 270 312 555 531 464 459 298 515 688 566 561 353 309 472 208 166 293 299 155 112 448 214 130 182 280 269 358 570 189 485 176 499 4,346 4,342 3,129

0

14 24 124

Capital Spending - €m 2020 Afforestation 66.63 Road 3.00

Page 2 of 2

2021 58.50 1.96

Timber Volumes Issued (m3) W/E 24th September 346,138.90 Year to date 5,509,412 2020 total issued 5,023,366

Number Licence Decisions Appealed W/E 24th September Afforestation Roads Felling 0 0

Number of Licences issued August Afforestation Roads Felling

Hectares/Kilometres Planted/Roads Constructed Hectares Kilometres 2019 2020 2021 2019 2020 2021 January 198 136 181 8 17 5 February 327 273 216 6 6 4 March 374 262 165 5 5 5 April 329 212 113 5 8 3 May 556 350 259 13 9 6 June 366 284 309 2 6 7 July 463 165 287 6 11 4 August 262 137 161 7 8 9 September* 252 226 51 15 5 6 October 210 67 11 10 November 157 162 10 6 December 155 161 4 6 Totals* 3,549 2,435 1,742 92 98 49 *2021 estimated

Forestry Licensing Dashboard – Week 4, September 2021

HydroSED

HydroSED: Assessing the Hydrological and Sediment Impacts of Forestry Operations in Ireland

W

ater quality in freshwater systems is evaluated through its physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Of the physical aspects, the concentration of suspended particles is of significant concern. These are primarily associated with erosion processes, where fine sediment is mobilised from within catchments and transported to rivers and streams through various hydrological pathways. Once in rivers and streams, these sediments can settle from the water column and deposit on channel beds. Excessive sediment in this regard, is a well-recognised environmental stressor that adversely impacts the ecological status of freshwater systems (In addition, eroded sediments are often vectors for the transport of contaminants such as nutrients, heavy metals, and pesticides (which can further compromise the environmental health of these systems.

For these reasons, sediment is recognised as a master stressor in many rivers, streams, and groundwater ecosystems (Blöcher et al., 2020).

Ireland is not exempt from these issues, with numerous watercourses being at risk of failing to meet the Water Framework Directive (WFD) requirement of having “good ecological and chemical status” by 2027.

Commercial forestry and its inherent association with soil erosion and sediment release may place additional pressures on some waterbodies and this underpins the requirement for effective management of our forest estate.

RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT PLAN While Ireland is one of the least forested countries in Europe, the forest cover in this country has increased significantly in the past century from below 1% to 11% cover, and the Irish Government is seeking to increase this to 18% cover by 2046. At the same time, enhancement of biodiversity and sustainable forest management are receiving increasing attention nationally, in Ireland’s River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021 (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), 2018) and internationally, in the 2016 UN Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations, 2016). Sustainable forestry practices have been supported by provisions in national Forest Service Guidelines (2000a, 2000b, 2000c), through State and EU financial supports for the creation of woodlands, seminatural forest environments and non-wood-based forest value (Forest Service, 2001), and with the adoption of EU strategic guidelines for Rural Development (European Commission, 2006). In Ireland, the second cycle River Basin Management Plan highlighted that there are 1460 water bodies currently failing to meet their WFD objectives due to a range of significant pressures. Of these, forestry has been found to be the fourth most prevalent, impacting 238 waterbodies.

Furthermore, of the 127 ‘at risk’ waterbodies with a high ecological status objective, forestry is a significant pressure in 51 (40%) (Figure 1). Sediment releases during forestry operations (such as afforestation, thinning, clearfelling, windrowing and reforestation) can be elevated from considerable disturbances to the surface of forestry sites, often compounded by poorly designed or ineffective forest drainage pathways. Due to the presence of sensitive habitats for species such as the Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussel (the juveniles of whom are particularly sensitive to fine sediments), the impacts of elevated sediment levels in fluvial systems are important (National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2013). Forest operations have been found to cause considerable pressures on Ireland’s rivers and streams (DAFM, 2018) and are threatening targets of the WFD for the “enhanced protection and improvement of the aquatic environment”.

Figure 1. At risk river water bodies where forestry is a significant pressure (data source: Environmental Protection Agency, 2021) KNOWLEDGE BASE OF SEDIMENT RELEASE IN FORESTRY OPERATIONS A knowledge base of current and potential environmental impacts is required for multifunctional forests to be successfully managed.

Establishing such knowledge requires an understanding of the complex interactions between biota and the dominant ecological processes that underpin the benefits and diverse products supplied by forest stands and timber production. Such a knowledge base is growing in Ireland through the inclusion of environmental dimensions of forestry research in previously funded national research projects (e.g., AQUAFOR, WATERAC, FORWAT, P-ENRICH and HYDROFOR).

The AQUAFOR (Kelly-Quinn et al., 1997), CROW, WATERAC (Cruickshank et al., 2005) and FORWATER (Kelly-Quinn et al., 2008) projects focused on forest acidification and effects on stream biota, with the latter two assessing the use of the Sodium Dominance Index (SDI) as a potential measure of acid sensitivity and exploring the relationship between SDI values and potential environmental impacts in streams. P-ENRICH (Machava et al., 2008) investigated limited forestry operations, focussing on nutrient loads in surface waters. Most recently, HYDROFOR provided further biological, hydrochemcial and hydrological characterisations of forest-surface water interactions in

HydroSED

Ireland, highlighting specifically the increases in total suspended solids and total phosphorus from forest windrowing operations (Kelly-Quinn et al., 2016; Clarke et al., 2015). While research has been undertaken on forestry and its impacts, scope remains to improve our understanding of environmental issues associated with hydrological change and sediment releases arising from key forestry operations.

INFLUENCE OF SOIL TYPES Currently, 60.8% of forests in Ireland have been established in mineral soils, with the remainder (39.2%) being grown in peat soils (Figure 3; Forest Service, 2017). While the majority (54%) of the national forest estate is state-owned (primarily by Coillte), the private sector is now dominant in terms of afforestation initiatives, a trend that is expected to continue (DAFM, 2014). Between 2006 and 2017, Ireland’s total forest area increased from 697,842 hectares (ha) to 770,020 ha (Forest Service, 2017). Between 2013 and 2017 alone, the forest area increased by 38,368 ha (Forest Service, 2017). In the past decade however, Coillte afforested only 250 ha per year (DAFM, 2014). It is expected that harvesting and reforestation operations will continue by Coillte, often on peat soils in the vicinity of first order streams. However, at a national level, there has been a shift away from afforestation on peat soils with new private plantations being increasingly established on mineral soils.

HydroSED is a multidisciplinary project funded by DAFM (2020 – 2024). The project is being undertaken by researchers from University College Dublin and the Munster Technological University, in partnership with Coillte and Green Belt Ltd. HydroSED aims to address the knowledge gap referred to above, and assess the hydrological and sediment impacts of afforestation, harvesting, windrowing and reforestation on rivers in Ireland. Seven forestry sites where operations are scheduled between 2021 and 2023 are being identified for inclusion in this project. All sites are adjacent to lotic waterbodies (Figure 2 A and B) and occur on peat, mineral (gley) and peaty mineral (peaty podzol and gley) soils. These sites have been chosen to reflect the shift towards afforestation on mineral soils and the continued occurrence of all other operations on peat and peaty mineral soils. Selected study sites are undergoing extensive instrumentation (upstream and downstream) for the continuous monitoring of rainfall, river discharge and sediment release from adjacent forestry blocks. High-resolution monitoring of this type enables the direct assessment of changes in hydrology and sediment release from forestry activities, while allowing for the separation of impacts from other potential inputs (e.g. wastewater treatment plants, quarries, construction sites). The project directly aligns with the Irish EPA Research Programme to inform policy and develop solutions to environmental challenges through evidence- based

Figure 3. A) Carrigeenduff stream running alongside coniferous plantation, Wicklow; B) Arderin stream, Offaly; Algal growth indicating nutrient enrichment in forest stream, Carrigeenduff, Wicklow (photos: E. Vaughan) knowledge, and with the DAFM sustainable development objectives.

Furthermore, the project directly addresses thematic area 3.6.3 of DAFM’s Strategic Agenda for Forest Research in Ireland, to examine ecosystem services interactions between forests and water.

HYDROSED PROJECT DELIVERABLES Deliverables of the project include a focus on hydromorphology (physical habitat). There is a growing awareness that hydromorphology is a key component supporting healthy ecological systems because of its direct role the creation of physical habitats. Changes in flow and elevated sediment inputs can significantly degrade habitat conditions through impacts on channel form and habitat complexity.

Measurement of deposited sediment arising from forestry operations is central to the project for identifying if, where and to what degree elevated levels of fine sediments are deposited downstream. This will be used to assess the potential hydromorphological and ecological impacts and implications for downstream WFD status assessment.

Measures and fingerprinting of deposited sediment in channel bed substrates will complement the direct measures of flow and sediment inputs at study sites and the impacts of releases identified from specific operations will be related to changes in biological status using aquatic macroinvertebrate communities downstream of forest sites.

DEVELOPMENT OF CODE OF BEST PRACTICE FOR FOREST OPERATIONS The HydroSED team also seeks to provide possible solutions to the issues at hand. In recent years, concerns pertaining to water quality as well as other aspects of sustainability and environmental health have led to the requirement or encouragement of ‘Best Management Practices’ in most countries in which commercial forestry takes place (Forest Service, 2000a, 2000b, 2000c). In Ireland, the Code of Best Forest practice outlines the appropriate manner by which that forest operations should be carried out, with reference to the mitigation measures that are essential to minimise the potential negative environmental effects.

Mitigating the impacts of disturbance has implications for water quality but also for long-term sustainability of forest ecosystem productivity. It can be addressed in the long-term through integrative forest planning and through careful forest road network planning. In the medium term, planning of operations should identify and avoid harmful activities in areas at high risk of sediment release. In the short term, mitigation measures are implemented on-site during active operations to cushion the impact of machine-loading on soils of low load-bearing capacity (e.g., brash mats typical of cut-to-length harvest systems most frequently used in Irish forestry) or to slow water-flow events and halt movement of suspended solids before entering watercourses (e.g., goodpractice suggests preventative measures rather than reactive responses produce best outcomes). The HydroSED project aims to assess the

Figure 2. Ireland’s forest area by soil group and ownership (data source: Forest Service, 2017)

HydroSED effectiveness of current mitigation measures for sediment release and fertility loss from forest operations as sediment and nutrient release to streams negatively affects both streams and forest productivity (Figure 2C). The development of a new approach will be explored to aid on-site decision-making in relation to site hydrology, particular risk factors, local soil structure and site drainage network. This would amount to assembling a site-specific risk factor evaluation.

In addition to mitigation measures, the effective management of water relies on the prediction of river flow dynamics. This reliance has led to increases in demands for environmental modelling as a means of mitigating the effects of the intense pressures that are being placed on the world’s waterways. The HydroSED project also aims to explore the development and parameterisation of hydrological models for the study sites. Numerous researchers have applied, developed new, or modified existing, models to simulate sediment loss/release in terrestrial systems (Rymszewicz et al., 2014), including in forestry settings. Central to the project will be the creation of a revised hydrological modelling structure with soil/sediment loss functionality and its application to the study sites of this project. It is proposed that this revised model will be underpinned by the architecture of an existing conceptual hydrological model, called SMART, that was developed in UCD in a previously funded EPA project (Mockler et al., 2013). The SMART model includes the functionality to simulate vertical hydrological processes in six soil layers with independent soil moisture accounting parameters. A unique feature of this model and something that is potentially advantageous for simulating sediment loads from forestry settings, is that it includes five separate flow pathways - including a specific pathway for simulating drain flows. Drain flow is a pathway that is somewhat unique to Irish

46

Forestry&Energy

catchments and is a potential conduit for flow and sediment transport in forestry settings.

THREE YEAR PROJECT DURATION These deliverables and project tasks will be worked on by the research teams in UCD and MTU over the next three years. The project will build on and develop new knowledge from data and findings from previous projects with the aim of providing a comprehensive assessment of the role of Irish forestry operations in sediment loading to rivers, including an assessment of how associated sediment risks can be best mitigated.

Authors: • Eibhlín Vaughan, John O’Sullivan, Fiachra O’Loughlin – School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin • Brian Tobin – UCD Forestry, University College Dublin • Mary Kelly-Quinn, Eva Freeney – School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin • Jonathan Turner – School of Geography, University College Dublin • Joe Harrington, Rodhraí Crowley - School of Building & Civil Engineering, Munster Technological University • Philip O’Dea - Certification & Environment Manager, Coillte • Maurice Ryan - Business Development Director, Green Belt ltd.

BROPHY TIMBER SERVICES

Forestry Services Site Clearance (excavators 5T – 24T, tractor & dump trailer) Standing Timber Purchasing and Marketing of both broad leaves and softwoods General Haulage and Timber Haulage Weekly Reports & Machine Printouts available on request Public Liability Insurance

Mechanical Engineering Services Engineering services in our in-house facilities Stockists of Alfagomma Hydraulic hoses and fittings

Contact Office: +353(0) 870640161

Harvesting & Extraction: +353(0) 872236454 Email: bts@live.ie

Website: www.brophytimberservices.ie

Commercial Commercial Feature Feature

Robinson Distribution Ltd

Established in Portarlington, Ireland in 2004, Robinson Distribution Ltd. has continuously expanded and developed into a market leading trailer and crane manufacturer, supplying an ever growing customer base in the transport and forestry sector across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe.

Our Customer Mission The company now boasts an ever increasing customer base across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Our goal is to support our customers in their goal of purchasing trailers and equipment that will provide a strong return on investment and augment the success of their business.

Trailers & Cranes

Background Robinson is an ambitious family owned and managed business with a long and proud history of transport, agri–products and forest machinery.

Throughout its history, Robinson’s has been an innovative company with continuous research and development being at the core of the business. Our track record of trailer and crane design and manufacture provides us with a strong competitive advantage in terms of new product development. All our trailers and cranes are designed and customised by our team of experienced engineers. Each product is manufactured to meet the specific needs of the operator which is backed up by our strict quality procedures. Our attention to detail enables us to build a product that will simply outlast others with superior strength and durability.

Our success has been built on an ethos of serving our customers with quality transport solutions, efficiency, and reliability and also by ensuring there is a complete focus on customer satisfaction at the core of everything we do.

“Our state of the art production plant is one of the most modern trailer manufacturing facilities in Ireland”

Robinson manufactures a wide range of trailers and cranes, all designed to meet the specific needs of our customers, with specifications across three main categories including; On Road Trailers: Bulk Tipper Trailers, Platform Trailers, Container Trailers Timber Trailers: Centre Axle Drawbar Trailers, Semi– Trailers, Super Structures, Turntable Trailers Cranes: The company also supplies, custom manufactures and fits cranes, including brands such as Robinson, Loglift, Kesla, Liv. Our new timber cranes are now operating out in the Irish forestry industry with very positive feedback from our customers. We manufacture two models of crane to choose from, a 9 tonne and a 12 tonne. These both come in a single and double extension model. Our cranes have the highest quality finish with investments in our own forms for castings in Scandinavia, Swedish Steel, Parker Hydraulics, Indexator Rotators and Links, Tamtron and Maxi Cap Weighting Systems and high power LED working lights. The high standard of finish extends to the main components as they are blasted, primed and painted which presents a huge advantage over competing products. Robinson also supply their own grapple with its crane. This is a Robinson 42 Grapple which has a gripping area of 0.42m2. Robinson’s also manufacture their own Robinson One Piece Timber Bunk. These are made of specialised Swedish Steel. Due to the weight and price of the Robinson Bunks, they can now compete aggressively in the market place, making them very popular with customers.

Facilities & Competencies

Contact Us Today

With ongoing investment, research and development; the company has continuously developed a modern manufacturing facility designed to manage the expectations of today’s transport sector. Our state of the art production plant is one of the most modern trailer manufacturing facilities in Ireland.

As a business we continuously innovate by applying cutting edge design aligned to the specific and changing requirements of each trailer’s function with the aim of saving fuel, maximising payloads, increasing manoeuvrability and flexibility, improving safety whilst ensuring we comply with all legal regulations Our focus is on building the highest quality trailers to the highest manufacturing standards. We achieve this through a combination of: Engineering & Design Excellence, Advanced Technology, A Wealth of Experience

For a discussion about your needs and how Robinson would be pleased to assist you, please call us today on Tel: 057 86 24832 or email scott@robinsondistribution.ie You can visit our website on www.robinsondistribution.ie

48 58

Forestry&Energy Forestry&Energy

Project Woodland

Project Woodland

FOREWORD Trees are a vital part of Ireland’s natural heritage. Ireland needs more of them, with the right trees planted in the right place for the right reason. For a variety of historical reasons, Ireland has a lower level of forest cover than any other European Union country. Paradoxically, this means that Ireland has a special opportunity to improve its natural heritage, by investing in afforestation in a way that is sensitive to its landscape and environment, and that allows citizens to benefit from the unique range of public and private goods offered by it.

Afforestation, well planned and executed, can make a significant contribution to Ireland’s climate change mitigation efforts, can enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, provide shade and shelter for farmed animals and amenity opportunities for citizens. Harvested wood products are also essential for climate mitigation. Together they also support economic development and employment creation in rural areas and provide alternatives for fossil fuel-based materials in construction and energy generation.

To maximise this opportunity, Ireland needs a coherent and broadly accepted vision for the development of its forestry sector. It also needs to ensure that its licencing and consent systems operate efficiently and effectively and comply with the highest regulatory and environmental standards. It needs to build a positive narrative so that landowners and farmers view forestry as an attractive and economically viable option that can supplement their farm income.

If these objectives are to be realised, the activities of the public sector

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Forestry&Energy

bodies involved in regulation, research, education and advice must be aligned and functioning efficiently and effectively. Commercial operators in the sector must ensure that their operations are consistent with the relevant regulatory framework and that they are equipped to submit consent applications of the highest standard.

Building a framework that supports this vision for forestry will require a collaborative approach from all of those with an interest in the sector.

It will require stakeholders, even those with differing perspectives, to appreciate the legitimacy of alternative viewpoints, and to come together to build shared vision for the sector.

Project Woodland is a framework for developing the kind of consensus that can build a forestry sector that meets these objectives. This is the first interim report of its Project Board.

INTRODUCTION The Project Board for Project Woodland has met on nine occasions since its establishment in February 2021. This is the first of the interim implementation reports from the Board to be issued to the Minister and to the members of the Forestry Policy Group. It is the Board’s intention to produce these bi-monthly.

Since its first meeting, a full-time project manager and a systems analyst have been appointed and are already adding significant value to the project. The project manager is finalising a project charter that will, among other things, lay down an improved framework for

Project Woodland

communication within the project. The Project Charter is issued alongside this Interim Report..

The Board’s work has included meetings with the Working Group Chairs and DAFM leads as a collective, site visits, and more detailed discussions with each Working Group Chair as papers, and in some cases recommendations, have begun to emerge.

The Project Board recognises the recent increase in licencing output and also the effect of the implementation of S.I. 293 on this. It remains essential that all licencing is in full compliance with regulatory requirements. We expect based on discussions with DAFM that licencing will resume to its previous levels from mid-August onwards.

The quality of the papers submitted to this point has been excellent.

The Board has examined each of the papers submitted, having spoken to the chairs, and evaluated the recommendations made. Every recommendation was considered in detail, taking into account the views and priorities of sector stakeholders, DAFM, the legal and regulatory framework and the resources and timeframes needed to implement them.

In the context of this exercise, the Board has taken into account any overlap in recommendations coming for each Group, so that the process of implementation is as streamlined and efficient as possible. It will also consider scheduling and prioritisation of actions, and in some instances may need further information, third-party advice, analysis or reflection from the working groups or DAFM. The purpose of this and future Interim Reports is to give feedback to members of the Working groups across the whole scope of the project, to keep stakeholders apprised of developments, and to make recommendations to the Minister on next steps.

The Board recognises the need for clear communication with the Forest Policy Group and other stakeholders and the wider public on the progress of the recommendations. In that regard it intends to produce regular interim Reports on the implementation of the Project, of which this is the first. It will produce the second and third interim reports in October and December of this year and bi-monthly until the

52

Forestry&Energy

conclusion of the Project. The Project Board is also conscious of the fact that it is the staff of DAFM that will be charged with implementing recommendations that emerge from the Project Woodland project.

There is a clear need therefore to fully engage with DAFM to ensure that these recommendations are feasible and practicable and can be implemented within the resources available and/or additional resources subject to submissions and DPER sanction.

The table below records the interim recommendation from each of the Working groups, the initial views of the Project Board and suggested next steps.

The Board has agreed to advance two recommendations immediately: 1. An independent external regulatory review is being commissioned by the Minister by end-July. The tender for procuring the review team will be published on the Government’s eTenders website by 30 July.

Both Working Groups 1 and 4 have made recommendations on this issue. Those from Working Group 1 focus, in particular, on more specific elements relating to the 15 KM AA screening and a review of the requirement for a licence for forest management operations such as thinning and forest roads.

The Project Board considers that an external assessment of these elements should be incorporated into the broader regulatory and legal review recommended by Working Group 4, with recommendations on these particular elements to be early deliverables from that exercise. In any event many of the recommendations emerging from across the Working Groups will need to be informed by this exercise.

The new business systems analyst has already commenced a review of processes under the current system, including those related to Appropriate Assessment, to ensure that it functions as effectively as possible. This exercise will continue but will also need to be informed by the outcome of the external regulatory review. The systems analyst will work closely with the external reviewer to ensure that adjustments to the process are consistent with the legal

Project Woodland

framework.

The Project Board recognises the critical importance of ensuring DAFM’s licencing system should comply with the relevant legal framework in so far as the environment, public engagement and other requirements are concerned. Within that framework, DAFM’s processes should function in a manner that is as streamlined, efficient and effective as possible, so that operators can expect applications to be dealt with in a reasonable and predictable timeframe.

An external review team comprising planning. environmental and legal expertise to work will work closely with the systems analyst.

Efficiency analysis is the role of the systems analyst. The role of the review team is to advise the systems analyst on potential new efficiencies arising within the regulatory and statutory framework.

The external reviewer, which may comprise a team, will be tasked to: review the existing statutory framework for the licencing of forestry activities in relation to environmental and public participation obligations, including the Birds and Habitats and EIA Directive and the Aarhus Convention; to make recommendations about DAFM’s processes and procedures to ensure that they are as streamlined and efficient as possible and meet all of the relevant statutory obligations; to consider the legal and procedural arrangements in a sample of other member states in conducting this exercise, and to include in its recommendations any lessons to be learnt from that exercise; to include in its assessment specific consideration of the potential for: o differentiation between projects having regard to scale, location, and type, having regard to legal and regulatory requirements; o a single consent, permit, licence or other authorisation, to include planting, felling and other related activities; evaluate the current 15km radius for screening for appropriate

•

• • •

•

54

1.

assessment, or recommend an alternative objective approach to screening, having regard to the requirements of European Union law.

On the critically important work on the development of a shared vision for forestry, the Project Board has already agreed to prioritise the commencement of an effective and inclusive public consultation, and has asked DAFM to engage with the Working Group chair to make that happen within the timescale recommended by Working Group 2. This work has commenced.

The main elements of the public and stakeholder engagement process including the current indicative timescale are:

Action

Indicative timescale

Engagement with FGP on principles, scenarios, shared vision and strategy

On-going

Survey of public attitudes to trees, woods and forests

July/August/Sept 2021

DAFM-led bilaterals & coalition building with key stakeholders, other Departments and Agencies and the EU

July 2021- April 2022

National survey of general public

Sept/Oct 2021

Youth Forum

Sept/Oct 2021

Community focus groups – in partnership with Irish rural link – commenced

July / Nov 2021

Deliberative citizen processes at national or regional level

Sept/ Oct 2021

National stakeholder conference

Nov/Dec 2021

Forestry&Energy

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Project Woodland OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE CONSIDERED IN FURTHER DETAIL IN THE TABULAR PRESENTATION BELOW.

Recommendation

Board Commentary

Recommended Next Steps

Working Group 1 – Proposals to deal with backlog of files

56

Definition of Backlog

The Board broadly agrees with the definition of the backlog proposed in the paper.

However, it understands that a working definition will need to take into account the significantly different timing of Coillte applications, which are submitted infrequently and in large batches due to the number and widespread nature of Coillte’s operations, with recognition that a phased delivery is likely to be more appropriate.

Board recommends that the Working Group considers refining the definition in light of the pattern and nature of Coillte applications whether by number of licences or volume

Files started but not submitted by the applicant should be removed from the definition of applications on hand in order to ensure

The Project Board notes that there are potentially 900 files in this category and agrees with this recommendation. Resolving this issue is central to a clear and reliable baseline of applications on hand.

Board recommends that that DAFM establishes a timetable to identify these files, and that it should revert to the Project Board by end-September with a programme of action and the proposed timetable. The work of the Business Analyst on process review will generate process maps for all licencing process and sub-processes

Dedicated Team on Backlog Response

The Working Group feels that the creation of a dedicated team to deal only with backlog files may have merit in the short to medium term.

The Board notes that the Working Group is awaiting feedback from another agency on how this could work.

The Board recognises the need to deal with the backlog as a matter of urgency, but also the need to manage the potential tensions between maximising output and ringfencing resources to deal with older cases.

Increased licence output will help to address the backlog, and the exercise to identify and dispose of the 900 or so files where applications have not been formally submitted may result in a more targeted and less resource intensive mechanism for tackling backlog files in a more targeted way.

The Board has noted the recent progress in increasing licencing output from DAFM which is the product of some operational changes to streamline the process and asks DAFM to adopt this streamlining and apply it to all applications as quickly as possible; The Board has also received an update from DAFM on the “triage” process which it has applied to backlog licences and the contribution this will make to reduction in the backlog. The Board considers that the backlog needs to be reduced as quickly as possible, but that there is also a need to ensure that the licencing system as a whole functions effectively and with consistency with respect to all applications

Working Group to report to the Project Board on the outcome of its enquiries with other agencies.

DAFM to report to the Project Board by date of next Board Meeting in September on the implementation of the streamlining with clearly defined metrics for the impact this will have on the backlog.

DAFM through its systems analyst to finalise baseline licencing figures for work on hand by end-September The triage team which DAFM has deployed to felling licences should be immediately used to similar effect on backlogged roads and afforestation licences and a report supplied to the Project Board by end-September

Forestry&Energy

Project Woodland

Recommendation

Board Commentary

Recommended Next Steps

15km AA Screening within 4 weeks of PB accepting recommendation Review of requirement for legal consent for thinning and forest roads;

See response in the Introductory text on Pgs. 4-5

An external regulatory review is being commissioned as referred to above which will incorporate this question

Review of Existing System for Ecological Assessment refinement

The Board recognises that EU and National judicial decisions have resulted in the need to screen in applications for Appropriate Assessment unless they can be objectively screened out without considering any mitigation. The Project Board notes that the process of appropriate assessment has already been accelerated as a result of additional resource deployment and some process streamlining.

Given that this is such a key and timeconsuming part of the licencing process, the Project Systems Analyst should continue to assess how the process can be streamlined, without compromising its integrity DAFM should apply the process streamlining currently applicable to some licences across the Board. It should revert to the Project Board with a timetable for this DAFM should provide a report to the Project Board on process improvements by the end of August, and should establish indicative output targets, recognising that each application is different and requires assessment on its own merits The 2 reviews (process and external regulatory) should also consider how this process can be managed most effectively, having due regard to the legal and regulatory framework; Workgroups will be tasked to provide inputs on Terms of Reference.

Monthly dashboard on applications received

High quality data is essential to monitoring progress on the project and the PB agrees with this recommendation.

DAFM already produces a weekly dashboard to monitor and report on outputs. A similar dashboard on a monthly basis is needed to capture and report on inputs and licencing work on hand.

DAFM to finalise the monthly dashboard for publication and circulation to all stakeholders by end-August. The format of the spreadsheet is being discussed with

by WG1. The data presented needs to be clarified to ensure it is accurate and outlines the situation clearly & fairly

IFORIS Re-write: Agree Timing

An efficient and effective IT system is the bedrock of any regulatory licencing system.

The iForis system is now 15 years old but requires improvement to keep pace with new requirements

The Board requests a report from the systems analyst and DAFM on the current state of iForis and recommendations for the extent and timing of future work. Report to be delivered by end–October

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In recent years, the market for kilns to dry biomass fuel has increased considerably. This has been driven by consumer awareness of product moisture and government initiatives to improve air quality, such as the Woodsure Ready to Burn accreditation scheme.

WG 2 – Future Vision for Irish Forestry including new National Forestry Strategy The WG has recommended a plan for co-creation to development of a new National Vision by end2021 and new National Forestry Strategy by May 2022

Both the PB and DAFM have prepared a number of papers which have been shared with the Forest Policy Group Main focus has been on discussing and developing options for public and wider stakeholder engagement, stakeholder mapping, foundational principles, plausible future scenarios, woodland and forestry objectives and associated value and developing a shared national vision for discussion.

Some key areas completed include: • Draft State of Knowledge Assessment for the Woodlands and Forestry Sector • SWOT/PESTLE • Stakeholder mapping • Draft co-creation and engagement plan • Foundational principles and plausible scenarios • Working on first cut of a shared vision.

There has been some good early progress and the commissioning by the Minister of Irish Rural Link to engage with Community Groups is very welcome.

Minister has agreed the key elements of public and engagement process Irish Rural Link to commence their focus Groups in July DAFM team assigned to Phase 3 of Forest National Strategy

WG 3 - Organisational Review Development of a new Customer Charter

The Board welcomes this recommendation and the work on this date. There is significant overlap here with the work of the other WGs in terms of setting targets and deadlines for processing of licences and it’s essential that this work is coordinated.

WG to present to draft Charter to the PB once it is clear what efficiencies may be introduced on foot of the work of WG 1 and WG 4

Organisational Development Review

The Board welcomes this proposal and seeks clear Terms of Reference by end-October 2021.

It is critically important that DAFM staff are fully engaged in this exercise.

The Project Board notes that WG 3 has set up a sub-group to specifically examine this issue and to present its report by 31st October.

DAFM should commission an external reviewer by end year, to report by end-April 2022, to have regard to the report of the Working Group and the organisational response to the business analyst output

Training needs analysis:

The Board welcomes this proposal and recommends that it be progressed.

WG 3 has set up a sub-group specifically to examine this issue and to make recommendations for training provision for stakeholders within sector and to present its findings by end Q4, having regard to the report of the Working Group and the organisational response to the business analyst output.

Project Woodland

Communications

The Board welcomes the early progress here.

DAFM has successfully concluded a call for proposals on foot of the WG’s recommendations. The prompt implementation of this recommendation is very welcome as is the additional funding provided by the Minister. The successful projects will greatly help in communicating the multi-functional benefits of forestry not just to critical stakeholders and potential growers, but across society generally.

The Board recognises that Communications issues in forestry and woodland management are much broader than the scope of this project. Long-term improvement will require greater engagement across the sector and stakeholder community – beyond the role of DAFM. If this project is to succeed it will require better communications between all stakeholders. The Board calls on all FPG members and wider stakeholders to engage outside the formal structures of the Project with each other, with Communities and the wider public, and also with relevant State bodies and with the EU institutions.

Developments at EU level particularly on the new EU forest strategy are key to shaping Irish forestry policy.

Minister has finalised successful applicants calls for promotion and announced €1.4m in funding DAFM is working to engage a communications specialist to support Project Woodland, and in particular the communication of a vision for the sector, by end-Q3.

WG 4 – Process Review Environmental Report and Associated Grant

In principle the Board accepts the merits of this idea, but there may be State Aid or other legal barriers to the provision of a grant to meet statutory requirements.

DAFM will complete a legal analysis of the proposal to be completed by end-October. DAFM to consider opportunities to simplify the report and grant structure.

End to end Legal Review

The Board accepts this recommendation as articulated in the introductory text on pgs 4-5

A tender for such a review incorporating the legal analysis is being published before 30 July. Clear Terms of Reference will be agreed by the Board

End to End Process Review

This work is already underway through the work of the systems analyst. It needs to be aligned with the process review

Included within the scope of the external regulatory review

Pre-Applications Consultations

The Board considers that a pre-application consultation is likely to help improve the quality of applications and increase the overall efficiency of the licencing system. It should also help in preventing unsuitable applications being submitted. The Board agrees that any such consultation should be advisory only and cannot compromise the independence of the regulatory and environmental assessment required once an application has been received. Any plan in this area will need to strike the balance between operational efficiencies and not impacting on licencing output in the shortterm given the backlog and priorities there.

The Board recommends that the Working Group should consider how examples of best practice in other regulatory bodies in Ireland or in other jurisdictions deliver this, with a view to preparing a report for the Project Board by Year end following the External Regulatory and Process Reviews.

DAFM intends to develop a draft framework for developing a system by Q2 2022. This should include consideration of options for use of Teagasc advisory service, for example

Book Review

Wood as a Fuel

This is more than a book. It is a compendium of information, relating to wood as a fuel, written in a thorough yet accessible language.

W

ood as fuel, is a newly-published book, written by Pieter D. Kofman and Eugene Hendrick. It describes all aspects of woodfuels from basic wood properties to standards, to woodfuel types, combustion and sustainable use.

Woodfuel will have an important role to play over the coming decade and beyond in displacing fossil fuels for residential, commercial and industrial heating, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation policies. At the global level, woodfuel remains by far the largest source of renewable energy. Increasingly woodfuels are becoming more tightly specified, and new technologies to use wood for heating are constantly developing.

From the woodland owners’ and woodfuel user perspective, the sale and use of early thinnings for energy purposes can provide a source of income, as well as sustainable fuel, for the landowner.

For many, using thinnings and tops for firewood is part and parcel of the benefits of woodland ownership, and there is a ready market for thinnings for firewood and woodchip production. A number of forest owners have set up successful businesses producing and selling quality firewood. The book will be of interest to all those categories of timber growers and woodland owners and managers, especially as firewood is becoming more tightly specified for sale purposes, in order to provide better heating and reduce smoke and dust. The key is storage and air seasoning to reduce moisture content of logs to 20% or less. The book, in Volume II, provides the know-how and ways to successfully produce low moisture firewood for sale. Volume V provides the evidence for why well-graded, dry firewood is part of the answer, along with suitable appliances, to concerns about air quality.

Volume III is devoted to woodchip production, where ways to produce more, high quality woodchip from thinnings and harvest

62

Forestry&Energy

residues are explained. Woodchip specifications vary according to the scale of combustion, and understanding the market requirements and price-paying potential are important for growers and specifiers.

Wood pellets provide an increasingly popular way to heat homes, as well as in larger scale applications. As with all well-specified woodfuels they provide for clean and efficient combustion. Specially designed pellet stoves and boilers provide for efficiencies that are up to three times what can be achieved in open fires. This will result in considerable savings over time for the home owner, compared with burning logs in an open fire. Volume IV covers all these aspects of wood pellets in detail, including raw materials and manufacture, and how to ship, store and handle this versatile fuel. Wood briquettes are also covered, as their use for residential heating continues to grow.

The opening volume covers the history of woodfuels, outlines what wood is, and why it makes such a useful and versatile fuel. It also covers all-important ISO standards, which are now the backbone of woodfuel trade. Trade itself, and other relevant aspects of transacting woodfuel, round out the volume. The final volume comprises two parts.

First combustion, wood ash and embedded energy are covered, while the second part deals with key economic and sustainability aspects of woodfuels, including an in-depth examination of one of the main rationales for their use: tackling the climate emergency.

Wood as a Fuel opens a new window into woodfuels, providing an essential and comprehensive reference for those engaged along the woodfuel chain.

The publication costs €40, with postage and packing of €9.50, and can be ordered through from the books tab at Arrow Management https:// arrowmanagement.ie/products/?filters=product_cat%5Bbooks%5D

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