Forestry & Energy Review - Vol 3 Issue 2 Autumn/Winter 2013

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SELLING TIMBER GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR CROP >> SEE PAGE 22

EUCALYPTUS SHORT ROTATION FORESTRY >> SEE PAGE 38

WOOD GASIFICATION SUSTAINABILITY'S SECRET WEAPON >> SEE PAGE 40

Forestry&Energy Volume 3 Issue 2 Autumn/Winter 2013 Price €3.95. £2.95 (Stg)

R E V I E W

THE VOICE OF FORESTRY & RENEWABLE ENERGY

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Foreword/Contents/Credits

Forestry&Energy R E V I E W

Volume 3 Issue 2 Summer/Autumn 2013

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Foreword

20 DERMOT CASEY TREE CARE SERVICES

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elcome to the new edition of Forestry and Energy Review Magazine.

In this edition,Teagasc Forestry Development Department examine important issues involved in bringing timber to market, while Noel Lane outlines that Toppings destroys the natural form of a tree and leads to stresses, decay and ugly appearance resulting in potential serious safety issues.

Also,Charles Harper,University College Dublin discusses the long–term option for improved forest productivity and timber quality in Ireland. UCD Forestry is currently leading a large forest genetics and tree improvement research programme.

Enda Keane of TreeMetrics writes that at present most data on forests are sparse and inaccurate, compared with what technological advances can offer.

This is due to several factors including outdated base modelling for tree measurements, inadequate sampling intensity and lack of updated databases.

In terms of Eucalyptus, Brendan Doyle (D–Plant Horticulture) offers advice on growing your own firewood in as little as eight years with Eucalyptus Short Rotation Forestry and suggests there will be further growth in the number of people undertaking the plantation.

This edition also includes a selection of other features and profiles including: Husqvarna,Aspen,Wood–Mizer, Dermot Casey Treecare,Timberwolf,AA Fire Protection, M.Large,Woodpecker Environmental and Bio–Equipment.

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

You can also download this latest edition electronically to your computer, iPad and smartphone.

Simply type in the following link www.selectmedialtd.com/feremag.html

Topping destroys the natural form of a tree and leads to stress, decay and ugly appearance resulting in potential serious safety issues, writes Noel Lane ISA Certified Arborist, H. DIP Forestry and MSIF.

22 SELLING TIMBER – GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR CROP Noel Kennedy and Tom Houlihan,Teagasc Forestry Development Department examine important issues involved in bringing timber to market.

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Editorial: Denis Lane Advertising: James Small Design: John Barrett Production: Emma Meade

The long–term option for improved forest productivity and timber quality in Ireland is discussed by Charles Harper, University College Dublin.

Crops being ploughed up,negative press and poor markets do not paint a pretty picture, writes Paddy O’Toole, Quinns of Baltinglass.

36 DERMOT CASEY TREE CARE SERVICES “Cost effective site clearance and mulching of dense scrub, large tree stumps and thick vegetation are mere fodder for the AHWI RT 400 machine” So says Noel Lane of Dermot Casey Tree Care Services.

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38 D PLANT HORTICULTURE – LEADING THE WAY TO SUSTAINABLE FUEL Grow your own Firewood in as little as eight years with Eucalyptus Short Rotation Forestry.

40 WOOD GASIFICATION – SUSTAINABILITY’S SECRET WEAPON Since ancient times, wood has always been a key source of fuel due to its combustion properties,but what isn’t always readily known is the hidden energy trapped deep within its very fibres.

44 TERRESTRIAL LASER SCANNING FOR BETTER FOREST MEASUREMENT AND VALUATION

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The Publishers Forestry & Energy Review

Enquiries:

28 TREE IMPROVEMENTS

34 MISCANTHUS – QUO VADIS?

Until the next time………

Publishers: Denis Lane and Robert Heuston

Features

Contributors: Noel Lane ISA Certified Arborist, H. Dip Forestry and MSIF Noel Kennedy and Tom Houlihan (Teagasc Forestry Development Department) Charles Harper (University College Dublin) Brendan Doyle (D–Plant Horticulture) Paddy O' Toole (Quinns of Baltinglass)

At present most data on forests are sparse and inaccurate, compared with what technological advances can offer, writes Enda Keane TreeMetrics.

50 EFFECTS OF ASH DISEASE ON HURLEY MAKING Irish ash is particularly sought after by hurley makers because of its fast growth rate.

Profiles 4 Husqvarna 16 Aspen 18 Wood–Mizer 21 Timberwolf 42 Woodpecker Environmental 48 Bio-Equipment Distribution: Easons, Newspread,WNS Published by: Select Media Ltd, 19 Clare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland Tel. + 353 1 6622266 Fax. + 353 1 6624981 Email. info@selectmedialtd.com

All material contained in this edition is copyright of Forestry and Energy Review 2013 and may not be reproduced or electronically stored without the permission of the publisher. However items may be freely reproduced provided the source is acknowledged. Content and views expressed in the publication do not necessarily represent those of the publishers.

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HUSQVARNA

HUSQVARNA BATTERY RANGE Husqvarna Group wins another grand slam at the red dot awards with innovative new range of Battery Garden Products.

his year, Husqvarna Group received six prestigious “red dot” design awards for the high design quality of its Husqvarna and Gardena products.Three out of the six awards were in the “best of the best” distinction.

The red dot design award is one of the most prestigious international design awards, founded in 1955 by Design Zentrum Nordrhein– Westfalen in Germany.This year, the jury assessed 4,662 products in 19 different categories. Each product is rated on criteria such as innovation, functionality, self–explanatory, quality and environmental compatibility.

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provides a much healthier alternative to petrol operated machinery with virtually no fuel emissions and the lightweight, ergonomic feel of the products.Andy Walsh said “The demand for battery–driven garden products is driven to a large extent by a new generation’s growing preference for convenient, quiet and virtually emission– free products”.According to the UN, by 2030, 5 billion people across the world will be living in and around cities. Looking even further ahead it is estimated that over 6 billion people, two thirds of humanity, will be living in urban environments by 2050.Young people in particular want to live in and around the big cities and it

“The Husqvarna Battery range is already proving extremely popular with professional landscapers, gardeners and forestry workers as it provides a much healthier alternative to petrol operated machinery with virtually no fuel emissions and the lightweight, ergonomic feel of the products” “We are deeply honored receiving as many as six awards this year.

Winning three “red dot: best of the best” is really an achievement, showing that our focus on humanized technology is appreciated on a global scale. Design makes a difference,” says Towe Ressman, Vice President Global Design at Husqvarna Group. She continues "We also appreciate that the jury awarded our efforts to protect the environment, with our recently launched battery–powered Husqvarna range that not only has no direct emissions, the products are lightweight and silent as well."

Andy Walsh, Head of Service of Husqvarna Ireland said “When we received the new battery range, we were able to give our Agents at local level an opportunity to test out the battery range for themselves before it was officially launched and I think they would all agree, it exceeded their expectations and really is very impressive.”

Husqvarna have designed it in a way that you can use the same battery in all of the handheld products so you can switch from one to the other as you go about your garden work.They charge quickly, they perform as well as any petrol equivalent but with a reduced level of noise pollution or any of the harmful emissions you might expect from a petrol machine, said Andy.

The Husqvarna Battery range is already proving extremely popular with professional landscapers, gardeners and forestry workers as it

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is this new generation that has the strongest focus on sustainability and environmental issues, which is exactly what the battery–driven range of garden product caters for, says Andy Walsh.

The Husqvarna Battery Range is now available in Ireland through agents for the brand at local level which can be found on www.husqvarna.ie

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS ‘QUALIFIED’ STATUS FOR NATIONAL DOWNY BIRCH AND ALDER SEED ORCHARDS The National Downy Birch Seed Orchard and the National Alder Seed Orchard have achieved ‘Qualified’ status. This follows a major research effort by Teagasc to genetically improve tree quality. In the coming years, seed and planting material will be available from the seed orchards at the much improved Qualified level. The Qualified seed orchards were launched earlier this year at the Irish Forestry,Woodland and Bioenergy Show in Stradbally, Laois.

The Teagasc and COFORD–funded birch and alder improvement programme began in 1998 when work was initiated on breeding downy–and silver–birch suitable for the Irish forestry sector.

Nuala Ni Fhlatharta, head of the Teagasc Forestry Development Department gave some background to this research project:“Many stakeholders had highlighted the need for more work on broadleaves,

Dr Elaine O'Connor speaking at the launch of the National Downy Birch and Alder Seed Orchards having achieved ‘Qualified’ status.

Pictured are left to right: Dr Elaine O'Connor, Teagasc researcher, Dr Frank O'Mara, Director of Research Teagasc and Charlie Flanagan TD.

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especially native species. Birch was considered to have potential for timber as it is the most important commercial broadleaf species in Northern Europe; highly valued in Scandinavian and Baltic countries.”

However, the poor form of birch in Ireland has prevented its listing on the recommended species list for commercial forestry.Attempts to import seed from good quality birch from other countries have failed, as birch is very closely adapted to the ecology of its origin. Nevertheless, over a million birch trees are planted every year in Ireland; mainly for biodiversity and native woodland schemes. Successful birch tree breeding programmes in other countries, such as Finland and Sweden, has resulted in silver birch of much higher quality (straight stem and reduced knots) and with about 26% higher volume growth.

Elaine O’Connor, researcher with Teagasc working on the Birch and Alder Improvement Programme explained “It was decided to start a birch improvement programme to develop additional broadleaf timber production options in Irish forestry. High quality birch timber is suitable for high quality pulp, sawlog, veneer and turnery. Birch is also an excellent fuel wood that is easy to handle.The project expanded to include the improvement of alder in 2005.Alder is on the approved list of forestry species for afforestation and has become a very popular choice for planting. Up to five million alder trees a year are planted.

Alder was used for twenty per cent of the area planted with broadleaves between 1990 to 2007.”

The overall objective of the tree breeding is the development of a sustainable supply of improved, adapted and healthy seed within the framework of the EU Forest Reproductive Material (FRM) regulations.

Within these regulations there are four quality categories. Up to now, nearly all broadleaf trees planted have been at the lowest category i.e. source identified.The programme has been working towards achieving the third and fourth categories, Qualified and Tested, respectively, for birch and alder. The research team are happy to announce that the

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS programme now has indoor seed orchards of downy birch and alder at the ‘Qualified’ level of improvement registered with the Forest Service in 2012.A silver birch Qualified seed orchard is scheduled for two years time.

The programme has been funded by COFORD with research carried out by Teagasc. Collaboration over the years has involved Teagasc, the Botany Department of the School of Biology & Environmental Science, UCD and the Environmental Plant Biotechnology Department of the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UCC. Further information on the Irish Birch Improvement Programme can be found here: http://www.teagasc.ie/forestry/research

800 PEOPLE ATTEND CHALARA MEETINGS Over 800 concerned people attended one of a nationwide series of information meetings to learn more about Chalara fraxinea, or ash dieback as it is commonly known, a very serious threat to ash trees – one of our most important native trees.The meetings were attended by forest owners, farmers, landowners as well as representatives from other agencies.

These public information meetings were organised by Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Dr. Nuala Ni Fhlatharta, Head of Teagasc’s Forestry Development Department commented:“With 82 confirmed findings in Ireland, the information meetings provided an important and timely opportunity to raise awareness of this serious ash disease.The meetings provided the most up to date information on Ireland’s campaign to eradicate the disease. People found the Question and Answer sessions very useful as they offered an ideal forum to get answers about ash dieback.”

Steven Meyen,Teagasc Forestry Adviser based in County Donegal said: “It was very encouraging to see the large number of people who are concerned about this disease threat to one of our native tree species.

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They now know what to look out for.Anyone who planted ash trees over the last couple of years should give their ash trees a quick health check over the next few weeks and months.”

He explained:“At this time of year, watch out for wilting ash leaves that remain attached to the tree.Other symptoms include shoot dieback and diamond shaped stem lesions.

If you see something you suspect is ash dieback, please call 01–607 2651 or email: forestprotection@agriculture.gov.ie. Do not take samples as it could assist in spreading this serious disease. Please remain vigilant, helping us stop the disease from spreading.”

TEAGASC EVENT ON THE MANAGEMENT AND THINNING OF OAK AND CONIFER MIXTURES Over 120 people attended a National Forestry Event focusing on the Management and Thinning of Oak and Conifer Mixtures near Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary. The event took place on Wednesday, 10 July and was organised by Teagasc in association with the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Thinning is an essential operation to ensure the production of valuable oak timber optimising returns.This is very important especially in oak / conifer mixtures, where without the necessary intervention the conifer may outcompete and smother the oak.

Dr Nuala Ni Fhlatharta, Head of Teagasc’s Forestry Development Department commented:“We were pleasantly surprised by the number of people who attended this event.Thinning of oak and conifer mixtures is a very specialised topic and it was great to see oak growers travelling from many parts of Ireland to attend.”

Dr Ian Short,Teagasc Research Officer and principal researcher of the COFORD–funded B–SilvRD Project said:“The event demonstrated to participants the importance to commence thinning at the appropriate

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FORESTRY & ENERGY REVIEW

NEWS

Jerry Campion, Teagasc explains to oak growers how to identify Potential Crop Trees.

time as competing conifers within the crop need to be removed in time.We also demonstrated how to mark the potential final crop trees and competitors and showed a recently thinned area.”

Other important topics that were discussed on the day included grey squirrel control, chainsaw felling and safety, timber presentation for extraction and removal methods. Details on preparing for thinning was also presented including felling licences, broadleaf thinning grants and road access.

WATCH OUT FOR ASH DIEBACK THIS SUMMER! Ash dieback is a serious disease of ash trees caused by the fungal pathogen Chalara fraxinea (Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus). It has spread rapidly across much of Europe.The disease can affect ash trees of any age and in any setting.The disease can be fatal,particularly among younger trees.

If you planted ash trees in the last ten years,Teagasc advises to give your ash trees a quick 'health check' over the next few months.At this time of year, watch out for wilting ash leaves that remain attached to the tree. Other symptoms include shoot dieback and diamond shaped stem lesions.

If you want to know what to watch out for,visit www.teagasc.ie/forestry where you can watch a very useful YouTube video produced last May by the British Forestry Commission.

When visiting a forest, do not remove any plant material from the site and clean clothes and footwear of any plant material, including leaves, before leaving the forest.Do not take samples as it could assist in spreading this serious disease.

Please remain vigilant, give your ash trees a quick health check and report anything suspicious. If you see something you suspect is ash dieback, please call 01–607 2651 or email forestprotection@agriculture.gov.ie.

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TEAGASC FORESTRY E–NEWS BY HAVING FORESTRY NEWS EMAILED DIRECTLY TO YOU Teagasc Forestry e–News is a free email service provided by Teagasc’s Forestry Development Department.This service keeps subscribers informed by email of the latest forestry news, give details of upcoming forestry events and provide management tips.

Visit the Teagasc Forestry website (www.teagasc.ie/forestry) or scan this QR code with your smartphone to subscribe to this free email service.

THE REAL COSTS OF CHAINSAW TRAINING nyone using a chainsaw at work will already be well up on the cost of chainsaw training. Most operators will often have spent several hours calculating the minimum amount of resources that they need to spend, to get the minimum level of certification required to keep insurance companies happy and the law on their side.

But is chainsaw training really just about ‘ticking the boxes’ and waiting for the City & Guilds certificate to arrive in the post? Kevin Birchall, a registered Chainsaw Instructor and City and Guilds (NPTC) assessor with Tree Care Ireland doesn’t believe it is: “The true benefits of chainsaw training are often overlooked when someone is weighing up the need for a professional chainsaw course.Well trained operators are able to work more efficiently, have a broader range of skills that employers are looking for and are statistically, less likely to have an accident. Professional training by registered Instructors aims to prepare an operator to a higher level than that required to just pass a certification assessment.We always advise our clients to make sure that the courses they choose are relevant, skills rich and of the longest duration that they can afford.

Courses that are condensed or that offer shortcuts will inevitably allow for shorter practice sessions and less opportunity for the trainee to learn and remember vital information.”

When push comes to shove and you are choosing your chainsaw course, it is definitely worth thinking about the future value of the skills you’ll acquire and the employment opportunities that exist for well trained operators.It may also be worth noting that in a competitive employment market and our current legislative framework, the real ‘Costs’ are considerably higher to the untrained operator!

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NEWS

VALUING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES OF IRISH FORESTS

n addition to wood products, forests provide a diverse range of services such as the protection of genetic diversity, carbon fixation and water purification.These services are undoubtedly important to individual welfare and form an essential base on which economic activity is founded, but the value of some services can be obscured by their lack of market value.

The growing recognition of the importance of Ecosystem Services has led to a dramatic increase in environmental valuation studies in recent years such as the UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2001–2005), The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) project, and the UK National Ecosystem Assessment (2011).With particular reference to forests, the full value of forest ecosystem services across Europe is to be assessed under the Oslo Ministerial Decision by 2020.

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In Ireland, a number of studies have investigated the economics of forests, but they have frequently limited themselves to the valuation of timber, recreation and carbon and tended to focus on afforestation.

In this context, a collaborative project on the valuation of ecosystem services provided by Irish forests (ECOVALUE) is now underway at University College Dublin, University College Cork, University of Limerick and Teagasc.This research, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will review the current economic valuation methods for assessing the value of forest ecosystem services with the aim of providing an assessment of the monetary value for these services in the Irish context.

THE OVERALL PROJECT OBJECTIVES OF ECOVALUE ARE: 1. Identification of the ecosystem services associated with Irish forests; 2. Quantification of the benefits from these services in relation to climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, forest recreation and human health/well-being, and water quality/quantity; 3. To model the value of the ecosystem services provided by: · The current forest estate; · The afforestation programme.

This project will not only facilitate the goal of quantifying sustainable management at a European level, but it will also assist in developing meaningful policies at a regional and national level in Ireland.

Furthermore, the project outputs will be of interest to forest owners who follow the principles of sustainable forest management including commercialisation of forest services.There is also potential for the project outputs to facilitate a greater understanding by the public of the role forest ecosystem services play in the economy and society at large.

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NEWS

CLEARY & SONS AUCTIONEERS ROBINSON DISTRIBUTION LTD JAMES www.ForestSales.ie www.robinsondistribution.ie

ince its establishment in September 2011, www.ForestSales.ie has become the No. 1 choice as a method for buying or selling forests ith a strong history in the timber field and a good knowledge and forest lands throughout Ireland. Paul Lafferty who is both a fully of timber machinery and timber haulage equipment, qualified Auctioneer and Forester, reports a high demand for good brothers Ross and Scott Robinson formed the company quality forests typically pure Sitka Spruce, plantations over 20 years Robinson Distribution in 2002.The company based in Portnahinch of age which are just after being thinned or are due for thinning.

House, Portarlington, Co. Laois was set up to supply and service forest Alternatively, there is good demand for good quality, diverse plantations machinery and timber haulage handling equipment, the company with a number of years’ premium to run. www.ForestSales.ie is also gained many leading agencies such as Loglift, Logmax,Alucar, Kesla, looking for land from upwards of 20 Acres which would be suitable Ala-Talkkari, Iggesund and numerous others. It was from their roots in for the plantation of forestry throughout Ireland. this field that the company decided in 2004 to produce their first Paul Lafferty is delighted with the success of www.ForestSales.ie timber carrying trailer.With a good following and a good customer since its launch and recommends that anyone who is interested in base the company has since designed and built many new projects and with some large projects in the pipe line the future looks promising. the purchase or sale of forest lands to log onto www.ForestSales.ie The company’s policy is to provide quality,innovation and competiveness and check out the complete list of properties available. Please note that the website is being updated on a regular basis and all necessary for their customers. information such as interactive maps, directions, species maps will Robinson Distribution can be contacted at the following: be contained on www.ForestSales.ie and are listed in such a manner Robinson Distribution, Portnahinch House, Portarlington, to be extremely “User-Friendly”.

Co. Laois. Tel: +353 57 8624832 Fax: +353 57 8679621, Paul Lafferty would also like to thank everyone who has Web: www.robinsondistribution.ie checked out www.ForestSales.ie thus far.

Email: scott@robinsondistribution.ie

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ASPEN

HAVE YOU STARTED USING ASPEN YET?

FIND OUT WHAT THE PROFESSIONALS SAY ABOUT IT.

THE FACTS Aspen 2 and Aspen 4 were initially developed for work health reasons, in co-operation with professional users. In comparison to normal petrol,Aspen 2 and 4 contain virtually no harmful substances such as benzene, aromatic hydrocarbons, polyaromatic hydrocarbons or olefins. Ordinary Petrol contains around one hundred substances including these harmful substances, but Aspen Alkylate petrol only has around ten of the least harmful.This means that the health risks from exposure to petrol fumes and exhaust fumes are minimized.

Most people don’t realize that normal petrol is intended for use in cars but not actually in small machinery. Most people regard it as obvious not to stand in vehicle exhaust fumes for a lengthy period, even though the fumes from a car are considerably cleaner than those from small machinery and yet people using normal petrol in small machinery such as chainsaws, strimmers, lawnmowers etc, put themselves at risk of severely dangerous emissions on a daily basis.

the risks of it damaging the inner components of the engines like petrol can.This saves on the maintenance cost of carburetors and fuel lines, and being without an important piece of equipment when you need it is never a good thing.

After prolonged use of petrol and mix, we would often have headache type symptoms, feel nauseated, or have a dry itchy throat.With Aspen however, you do not feel any of these side effects, which was definitely the first thing we noticed.The smell of aspen is cleaner, and there is none of the blue smoke you get with regular mixed fuel. Also after using petrol mix you will have what we refer to as ‘carbon nose’, where the sooty deposits are left in and around your nose after work, which again we do not get with Aspen.We use chainsaws and other such equipment on a daily basis and we are breathing in these fumes unwillingly so we were over the moon when Aspen was introduced to us!

We encourage every person we teach and meet to try it out, and the responses have all been positive. We show every trainee the

“Did you know that one modern chainsaw, running on normal unleaded 95 octane (RON) petrol, is actually the equivalent to a staggering fifty–seven moderns cars running on unleaded 95 octane petrol” Styrofoam test and the look of shock on their faces is constantly there to Did you know that one modern chainsaw, running on normal see.The environmental and health benefits for us as professional unleaded 95 octane (RON) petrol, is actually the equivalent to a staggering fifty-seven moderns cars running on unleaded 95 octane arborists and as a chainsaw skills training centre, are what makes aspen the fuel of choice for us.” petrol. Six chainsaws meeting the 2009 exhaust gas requirements – Brian Reilly, Technical Administrator, Tree Care Ireland. and running on Aspen Alkylate petrol are equivalent to 1 modern car running on lead–free 95 octane petrol.Aspen Ireland asked Tree Care Ireland, as daily users, to give an account of their use of Aspen fuel so far – Here’s what they found:

WHAT THE PROFESSIONALS SAY “At Tree Care Ireland we have been using aspen since it was introduced to us a couple of years ago.As a fuel it is great to use, the significant difference in the level of power the saws run at, the smoothness of the engine power delivery really makes our day a lot easier.The saws, and other equipment also, start easier with aspen fuel and the tank lasts that few minutes longer.

Another major plus, is the shelf life of the fuel.We have equipment that is used in certain seasons, such as hedge trimmers and grass strimmers, and we know that we can leave aspen in the tank without

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

NEWS FROM WOOD–MIZER

At Ligna 2013,Wood–Mizer unveils new sawmill products and showcases most popular models.

The LT20B sawmill combines powered, computerized head controls with a log bed without hydraulics to create a sawmill designed for economical lumber processing.

The LT70 sawmill is designed to minimize operational costs, while maintaining higher volumes and yields due to the narrow band blades it uses.

ood–Mizer filled their stand with so many new and popular can cut a 900mm (36") log in half. Bed capacity is rated at 4 tons. products that they had to reserve more space than ever Yet more advancements were displayed in Wood–Mizer’s Blades before at Ligna 2013.Wood–Mizer’s orange line of personal tent, where a new line of sawmill blade sharpeners and tooth setters and professional sawmills drew continuous attention.Wood–Mizer’s were unveiled.The range of models are designed to meet the needs LT70 sawmill is a popular choice among professional sawmillers of the professional wood producer, down to the needs of the small who process logs into green lumber in high output, and like all scale enterprise.

Wood–Mizer equipment, the LT70 features narrow band blades that Although not present at Ligna,Wood–Mizer also announced yet remove minimal kerf, resulting in maximum yield from every log. another new industrial sawmill for 2013, the WM4000, which they Computer setworks and hydraulic log handling make sawing lumber are calling the ‘next generation’ in narrow band blade sawmills.The with the LT70 an efficient process that is easy for a small crew of WM4000 combines the profitability enhancements of thin–kerf workers. blades with productivity advances in automated sawing technology Also demonstrated at the show,The LT20B and the LT15 sawmills, to create an ideal solution for forward thinking wood producers. two of Wood–Mizer’s smaller mills, are designed to be economical Similar in overall design to Wood–Mizer’s popular WM3500 sawmill, solutions for smaller enterprises.The LT15 was featured at the show the WM4000 features are more heavy duty and more productive in with a new planer/moulder head option.This new option allows many ways. an end user to turn a rough log into a finished planed or moulded As the wood products industry looks for ways to increase profitability, beam, without ever having to remove the log from the machine.

Wood–Mizer is offering more and more products designed to help The premier new product exhibited at Ligna was the new small log businesses meet those goals.

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“The LT15 was featured at the show with a new planer/moulder head option.This new option allows an end user to turn a rough log into a finished planed or moulded beam, without ever having to remove the log from the machine” processing line (SLP ll) that generated great interest from visitors who attended from around the world. Large crowds gathered each time the system was demonstrated, fascinated by the speed and ease of how low value logs were turned into lumber with minimal waste due to the narrow band blades being used.The SLP ll has been redesigned to provide enterprises that have an excess of small log with a more effective, efficient, and profitable system for utilizing them. Dozens of SLP installations around the world are proving their effectiveness daily, and the new SLP ll offers even more benefits – only two or three workers are needed to run the system, waste is removed at all points in the line, and the whole line is operated from one central command console.

Also debuted at the show was a yet unnamed wide band sawmill that represents a first for Wood–Mizer – larger capacity, wide–band machines.This heavy duty sawmill was well received by attendees to the show.According to Wood–Mizer, the project was developed in cooperation with a well–known and highly respected European wide band sawmill manufacturer. Wood–Mizer plans to have this model on the market in 2014. It runs a 90mm (3.5") band blade, and

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DERMOT CASEY

DERMOT CASEY TREE CARE SERVICES Topping destroys the natural form of a tree and leads to stress,decay and ugly appearance resulting in potential serious safety issues,writes Noel Lane ISA Certified Arborist,H.Dip Forestry and MSIF. Dr.Alex Shigo, world renowned scientist and author on the subject of arboriculture (trees), states that topping is the most serious injury you can inflict upon your tree.

TOPPING MAKES TREES UGLY

opping is perhaps the most harmful tree pruning practice known but unfortunately still remains a common practice Countrywide.This feature explains why topping is not an acceptable pruning technique and offers better alternatives to address problems. I find it extremely disappointing to see trees topped in our major cities and many towns around the Country, which destroys the trees character and lead to stresses, decay, and ugly appearance.

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As seen in our travels every day the natural branching structure of a tree is a biological wonder.Trees form a variety of shapes and growth habits, all with the same goal of presenting their leaves to the sun.

Topping removes the ends of the branches, often leaving ugly stubs and destroys the natural form of a tree.

Without leaves (up to 6 months of the year), a topped tree appears disfigured and mutilated.With leaves, it is a dense ball of foliage, lacking its simple grace.A tree that has been topped can never fully regain its natural form and is offensive to many people including this Arborist.

TOPPING IS EXPENSIVE

The cost of topping a tree is not limited to what the perpetrator is paid. If the tree survives,it will require pruning again within a few years. If the tree dies, it will have to be removed. Healthy, well–maintained trees can add 10 to 20 per cent to the value of a property. Disfigured, topped trees are considered an impending expense. In these recessionary times WHAT IS TREE TOPPING? we need to protect the value of our property.

Topping is the indiscriminate cutting of the heads/tops of trees Another possible cost to the owner of topped trees is potential and eliminating the terminal role of normal branches.The most common liability. Topped trees are prone to breaking and can be hazardous. reason given to me for tree topping is to reduce the size of a tree. Home Because topping is considered an unacceptable pruning practice, any owners often feel that their trees have become too large for their property damage caused by branch failure of a topped tree may lead to a finding and fear that tall trees may pose a hazard. of negligence in a court of law.

Tree topping often removes 50 to 100 per cent of the leaf–bearing crown of a tree. Because leaves are food factories, removing them can ALTERNATIVES TO TREE TOPPING temporarily starve a tree.The severity of the pruning triggers a sort of Sometimes a tree must be reduced in height or spread by crown survival mechanism.The tree activates latent buds, forcing the rapid thinning, crown reduction, crown lifting or crown lowering. Large growth of multiple shoots below each cut.The tree needs to put out a trees in small sites becoming a hazard or risk to property is one new crop of leaves as soon as possible.If a tree does not have the stored example. Providing clearance for utility lines is another example. energy reserves to do so, it will be seriously weakened and may die.

There are recommended techniques for doing so and it is advisable A stressed tree after topping the crown is more vulnerable to insect to consult a certified Arborist to prescribe the most desirable option. If and disease infestations. Large, open pruning wounds expose the sapwood and heartwood to attacks.The tree may lack sufficient energy practical, branches should be removed back to their point of origin. to chemically defend the wounds against invasion, and some insects are If a branch must be shortened, it should be cut back to a lateral that is large enough to assume the terminal role.A rule of thumb is to cut actually attracted to the chemical signals trees release. back to a lateral that is at least one-third the diameter of the limb being removed.

TREE TOPPING CAUSES DECAY This method of branch reduction helps to preserve the natural The preferred location to make a pruning cut is just beyond the branch collar at the branch’s point of attachment to the main stem.The form of the tree. However, if large cuts are involved, the tree may tree is biologically equipped to close such a wound, provided the tree is not be able to close over and compartmentalize the wounds.Sometimes healthy enough and the wound is not too large. Cuts made along a limb the best solution is to remove the tree and replace it with a species that is more appropriate for the site. Good tree selection in such between lateral branches (topping) create stubs with wounds that the tree may not be able to close.The exposed wood tissues begin to decay. circumstances is critical to avoid a repeat in future.

Normally,a tree will “wall off,” or compartmentalize,the decaying tissues, but few trees can defend the multiple severe wounds caused by HIRING AN ARBORIST AND PROFESSIONAL TREE CARE COMPANY topping.

Pruning large trees can be dangerous. If pruning involves working above the ground or using power equipment, it is best to hire a TREE TOPPING CREATES HAZARDS The survival mechanism that causes a tree to produce multiple shoots professional Arborist and secure the services of a professional Tree Care Company. Arborist can determine the type of pruning below each topping cut comes at great expense to the tree.These shoots develop from buds near the surface of the old branches. Unlike normal that is necessary to improve the health, appearance, and safety of your trees. branches that develop in a socket of overlapping wood tissues,these new Dermot Casey Tree Care Services, the largest Tree Care shoots are anchored only in the outermost layers of the parent branches.

The new shoots grow quickly, as much as 20 feet in one year, in some Company in Ireland can provide professional trained crews, species.Unfortunately, the shoots are prone to breaking, especially with all of the required safety equipment and liability insurance to take care of all your tree care needs. during windy conditions as they have very poor attachments.

The irony is that while the goal was to reduce the tree’s height Trees are assets to your home and community and deserve to make it safer, it has been made more hazardous than before. the best possible care.

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

NEW DEALERSHIP FOR TIMBERWOLF

Timberwolf, the UK's leading chip and shred manufacturers, is delighted to announce that they have recently expanded their European export market with a brand new Northern Ireland dealer – Johnston Gilpin & Co. n the past 12 months,Timberwolf has made a conscious decision to concentrate a significant proportion of their efforts on the export market and the new opportunities it presents.This has resulted in the expansion of the Timberwolf brand into five new markets– in just one year.

Having been operating for over 40 years, the Johston Gilpin & Co family–run business is dedicated to bringing the Timberwolf machines to market and furnishing the forestry market with reliable, high–quality chip and shred machines.

The Timberwolf range is all encompassing. From Road Towable Hydraulic Chippers to Tracked Hydraulic Chippers, with PTO Chippers, Gravity Chippers and a recently expanded range of five shredders, there is a machine for every chip and shred requirement.

In the last year,Timberwolf have introduced three new machines; SX200 Petrol, SX200 Diesel and the Road Towable 240TDHB(t), developed specifically from customer feedback by the in-house Research and Development team.

Alex concludes:“We've come to realise that the world really is Northern Ireland was a particular target for Timberwolf as it has our oyster with our Timberwolf machines. The quality of the a lot of growth potential, as Alex Ball, Sales Director of Timberwolf, manufacturing and the longevity of the machines means that we explains:“We're really excited to be working with Johnston Gilpin & have no barriers to stop us becoming an global player.”

Co on this opportunity because we share the same passion for For further information please contact: this industry and we look forward to the market expanding even Johnston Gilpin & Co: further with an increased presence in Ireland."

7b Lisnoe Road, Lisburn, BT27 5LT The next areas of focus for Timberwolf is the Middle East and Co. Down, Northern Ireland Germany.These are key growth areas, along with Austria, Bulgaria Tel. +44 (0) 28 9266 3372 and Estonia. Following this, the brand looks set to go global. www.johnstongilpin.co.uk

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TEAGASC FORESTRY

SELLING TIMBER – GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR CROP Noel Kennedy and Tom Houlihan,Teagasc Forestry Development Department examine important issues involved in bringing this timber to market.

Find out how your forest is performing by attending a Teagasc timber measurement course.

ith annual timber production from the private forestry sector and other harvesting conditions to be adhered to and is operational forecast to increase seven fold to almost 3 million cubic metres for a five year period. by 2028 there are both challenges and opportunities for Road access – Suitable road access for timber haulage is a huge forest owners to get this rapidly expanding timber resource to market. consideration.Without proper access the cost of the haulage of timber from the forest may make thinning uneconomic. In order to improve KNOW YOUR FOREST access for timber lorries it may be necessary to build a loading bay, Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in private sector timber forest road or upgrade an existing road. Grant aid may be available sales as more plantations are being thinned to meet an increasing towards the construction costs. demand from sawmills and other timber markets.

Planning permission is currently required for new forest road entrances.

Forward planning for thinning and timber sales is critical and owners Awaiting approval for a felling licence, forest road grant and planning need to become familiar with their plantations – what trees are planted, permission for a new forest road entrance may take some time and it how are they growing, how much and when can I thin? is important to build this into your thinning plans.

Owners can have their plantations assessed by a professional forester and/or learn the basics of forest inventory and thinning for themselves THINNING FOR QUALITY by attending a Timber Measurement Course and other thinning events Thinning must be considered an exercise in crop improvement – it organised by Teagasc. removes small, poorly formed and suppressed trees favouring the better Knowing the condition of your plantation is essential to assessing its quality stems. progress towards thinning and pre-empting challenges and opportunities It is crucial that thinning is competently carried out as a regular, timely that may arise at harvesting. and controlled operation ensuring that tree growth is maximised and Ongoing forest research by Teagasc has recently developed a thinning crop quality enhanced. ready reckoner – a simple thinning management tool which forest Getting this right at first thinning will concentrate the growth in the owners can use as a guide to their plantations’ readiness for thinning. remaining crop of better quality trees. Well managed second and The ready reckoner can be downloaded from www.teagasc.ie/forestry. subsequent thinning encourages further crop improvement and provides the opportunity to offer a consistent supply of quality BEFORE ANY TREES CAN BE CUT… commercial timber to the market.

As forests approach the time of first thinning, forest owners must However, keep in mind that in some circumstances a “no thin” policy address the following issues before any trees can be cut: Felling licence – Before thinning commences, you will need to have is a valid option, for example if there is a high risk of windblow following thinning or if the cost of roading far exceeds the returns a General Felling Licence granted by the Forest Service.The felling licence sets out what trees are to be felled, environmental guidelines from thinning.

W

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TEAGASC FORESTRY A forest owner (unregistered for VAT) can potentially add a flat rate VAT @ 4.8% to an invoice to compensate for VAT inputs that were incurred but cannot be recovered.

For all tax issues relating to timber sales, professional tax advice is strongly recommended.

MARKETS Timber markets are divided into categories based on the diameter of the logs produced during harvesting.The quantity of each category produced depends on the species, size and quality of the timber being harvested and will reflect the different thinning stages.

• Pulpwood, Stakewood and Energy Wood – Typically produced in first and second thinnings.The categories cut will reflect small diameters up to 14 centimetres and lengths range from 1.5 to 3.8 metres. Stakewood is the most valuable product (straight) and pulpwood the least valuable (not straight).

• Palletwood (or Boxwood) – After sawlog the most valuable commercial log. Diameter ranges from 14 to 20 centimetres and is cut to lengths of 2.4 to 3.7 metres. Pallet wood is a significant product in second and later thinnings.

• Sawlog – The most valuable large commercial logs for the construction industry with diameters larger than 20 centimetres and lengths exceeding 3.7 metres. In general, first and second thinnings would not produce this category of timber.

Remember: timber prices will reflect tree quality, site conditions, access for timber haulage and the proximity of market(s).

TIPS FOR SMART SELLING

Harvesting operations must be competently carried out ensuring that tree growth is maximised and crop quality enhanced.

SELLING YOUR TIMBER Timber should always be put on the market before harvesting to ensure that the timber is harvested and cut to the category/product required by the market. It is best to notify timber buyers well in advance of upcoming timber sales – this will give them ample opportunity to inspect the plantation, assess the timber quality and consider harvesting options.

There are three basic methods of selling timber: • Standing sale – The forest owner sells timber as it stands at a price agreed in advance.The buyer is responsible for thinning and harvesting.This is the most common method of selling first thinnings.

• Roadside sale – The timber is sold to a buyer on the forest road.

The harvesting contractor is paid by the forest owner. More forest owners are using this method of sale for more valuable second and subsequent thinnings.

• Delivered sale – As for a roadside sale but the forest owner also delivers the timber.This is the most common method used for the sale of wood chip for bioenergy.

TAX ISSUES The sale of timber may have tax implications for the forest owner.

All forestry income is reckonable for PRSI and the Universal Social Charge.

Roadside or delivered sales can carry additional tax implications. For example, the rules of Relevant Contract Tax (RCT) and VAT on contractor charges need to be considered for such sales methods.

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• Market your timber well in advance to give you sale and harvesting flexibility.

• Consider thinning in co–operation with your neighbours or through a forest owners group giving you buying and selling power.

• Use local markets where possible and minimise road haulage costs.

• Have your thinning professionally supervised.

• Employ a reputable and experienced harvesting contractor.

• Check your potential VAT and other tax implications.

• Sign a robust timber sales contract including – timber being sold by volume or weight, price agreed per m3 or per tonne, price per product or overall price,schedule of payments,public liability insurance, liability for damage to roads and drains, recording of timber loads leaving site, etc.

TIMBER SECURITY Timber is valuable and forest owners must be paid for all timber produced, bought and removed from the site. It is essential that a robust system is in place, agreed between the vendor and purchaser, to account for timber removals and haulage for standing and roadside sales.An example of this is the “Model timber sales dispatch system for private growers” developed by the Irish Timber Growers Association.

CERTIFICATION Certification is one way to prove that timber products are produced in an environmentally responsible way. Most private plantations in Ireland are uncertified but sawmills predict that private forest owners will require timber certification within a few years if they want to sell their timber.

Certification can lead to an improvement in forest management,providing economic, environmental and social benefits to the owners and wider community.

Having certified timber in the short to medium term may also increase its value as markets struggle to sell uncertified timber.

It would appear that timber certification is inevitable and forest owners should familiarise themselves with the issues involved.

For further information on certification please see www.teagasc.ie/forestry.

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TEAGASC FORESTRY

GET PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

Teagasc will continue to promote co–operation between forest owners as a means of achieving critical mass and increasing efficiency It is very important that you seek professional forestry advice in forest management.As forest owner groups evolve from ‘discussion’ when planning a first thinning.The advice and assistance of a professional forester may make the crucial difference to the successful outcome of a type groups towards production and business type entities, the role of thinning operation and may have fundamental implications for future Teagasc Forestry Adviser changes from one of development facilitation timber crop quality and value.Teagasc actively promotes forestry thinning to that of advisory and technical support provision.This in turn provides an appropriate mechanism for continued knowledge transfer. in appropriate circumstances through the provision of a range of Teagasc advisers have also considerable involvement in the initiation training and extension services.These include national events, local field days, information evenings, dedicated forestry clinics, consultations and support of a range of local and regional development initiatives. and a wide range of promotion through print and digital media sources. Many of these initiatives involve supply chain and market development, Forestry advisers also interface with Teagasc enterprise staff in day to day helping to optimise the resource for forest owners. operations.This has allowed the forestry staff the opportunity to provide advisory and training inputs to a range of mainstream agricultural events. TIMBER MARKET SUPPLY AND QUALITY

JOIN A FOREST OWNER GROUP NEAR YOU Since the mid nineties,the Teagasc Forestry Development Department has actively promoted and facilitated the development of forest owner groups through the ongoing provision of advisory, technical and

REQUIREMENTS

In its 2012 report,The Irish Forestry and Forest Products Association (IFFPA), which represents the broad forest and forest based business sector, outlined the Irish timber processing industry as a real success story having turned itself from largely supplying the Irish construction Join a forest owner group: it is a great way to learn and share experiences with your neighbours.

organisational support. Currently almost 2000 forest owners are involved in 26 such owner groups. Contact details can be found on www.teagasc.ie/forestry. Many of the groups also have involvement from other bodies such as Leader companies, IFA, Local Authorities and wood energy supply companies.

Group members have benefitted from owner co–operation, sharing of experiences and training opportunities. Benefits accruing to date include increased levels of thinning, better forest management, improved access to markets, price negotiations from a position of strength, and improved returns to forest owners.

Some groups have already evolved sophisticated business models including co–operative or energy supply company formation while others may opt to remain at a more basic stage of development. Success will ultimately depend on members taking ownership of the group, including a strong level of active engagement and participation.

sector to exporting almost 80% of what it produces to the UK, France and to new markets in continental Europe.

It highlighted the need to mobilise timber from the private forest sector to meet a growing demand from the forest products and bio–energy markets as well as capturing more export markets in the years ahead.

Supply of quality timber is also highlighted as a key requirement of the marketplace into the future to expand existing markets and secure additional export market share.

Producing quality logs can be achieved through a range of measures from forest establishment through to final harvesting.These include establishing and maintaining high tree stocking levels as well as regular, timely and controlled thinning regimes.

These measures if implemented on a consistent basis and with professional forestry input will encourage a more uniform growth resulting in improved timber properties and enhanced conversion in the sawmill.

UPCOMING “TALKING TIMBER” EVENTS Some of the key concerns for owners when preparing for thinning include the securing of an attractive market for timber and ensuring the work is completed to a high standard. Feedback from forest owner groups in recent times has highlighted the lack of opportunities to meet and engage with harvesting contractors and timber buyers in their locality.

In response to these concerns, and following on from a series of successful events last year,Teagasc are holding two Regional Timber Marketing Days or “Talking Timber” events during September 2013, the first in County Limerick and a second event in County Leitrim.

The “Talking Timber” events will provide a great opportunity for forest owners to meet and network with other forest owners, forest managers, harvesting contractors and timber buyers. It will also provide the opportunity for forest owners to familiarise themselves with key forestry issues around preparing for thinning, harvesting options, available markets and timber prices.

For details and updates on these and other events and a range of thinning and timber marketing information please see www.teagasc.ie/forestry or contact your local Teagasc Forestry Development Officer.

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UCD FORESTRY

TREE IMPROVEMENT The long–term option for improved forest productivity and timber quality in Ireland is discussed by Charles Harper, University College Dublin.

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) near Lough Mask, Co. Mayo (Photo: Dr Colin Kelleher, NBG)

INTRODUCTION

framework for future tree breeding efforts. A new strategy for a National Forest Tree Gene Conservation Programme will be The genetic background of the material used to establish new developed also. forests has a long–term effect on the productivity and the quality The ForGen progamme includes a cost–benefit analysis of tree of the resulting tree crops.The planting of genetically improved improvement options, and research on provenance selection, material, unlike most other silvicultural practices such as fertilisation drainage or thinning, provides a permanent change in the growth breeding and propagation. A number of broadleaved and conifer and quality (e.g. timber straightness) of the crop. Improved trees tree species are included, with Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) will also sequester carbon more quickly than unimproved material.

However, tree improvement programmes are not simple, short–term efforts that provide quick results. For this reason, new techniques need to be developed and tested to try and shorten the process and make it more efficient. In addition resources have to be focussed on the most important species and the traits to be improved.

UCD Forestry is currently leading a large forest genetics and tree improvement research programme to address some of these issues.The programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine programme "Competitive Forest Research for Development" (COFORD) programme.The "ForGen – Forest Genetic Resources Research Programme" commenced in 2012 and will run for four years. Dr Conor O'Reilly of UCD Forestry is the project coordinator and is collaborating with researchers in Coillte, Teagasc and the National Botanic Gardens.This new research programme addresses tree improvement efforts in both broadleaf and conifer species through the selection and propagation of superior individuals using breeding, and propagation, as well as developing new lines that will improve the productivity and quality Pollinated seed cone of Sitka spruce of selected species. Methods are being explored to predict good (Photo: Dr David Thompson, Coillte). seed crops, deal with the impact of climate change and develop a

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UCD FORESTRY being the main conifer species of interest. Since the ForGen research programme has only been underway since early 2012, few data are available at this stage. An overview of the ForGen programme and summary of some of the preliminary findings from two areas of study, genetic diversity in native populations and provenance selection in oak, are provided below.

PROVENANCE SELECTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE The first tree improvement step is to determine the most suitable provenance or seed origin.The provenance selection step has been completed for most species of interest in Irish forestry, but not in all cases, especially for the broadleaved species.Furthermore,the threat of climate change may mean that some provenance data may have Sitka spruce micropropagated material produced from improved seed to be reassessed. The emphasis with broadleaved species is on (Photo: Dr David Thompson, Coillte). measuring tree growth responses and stem quality in field trials (Coillte’s Dr David Thompson, UCD’s Dr Paul McCabe, Dr Conor with a view to determining the most suitable provenances for O’Reilly and Dr Olga Grant, supported by PhD students Liam use in Ireland.

O’Donnell and Phillip Glombik) and molecular parameters (Dr Dr Niall Farrelly and Niall O’Neil of Teagasc are aiming to determine Colin Kelleher and Dr Philippe Cubry at the National Botanic the relative importance of provenance and site on the yield from Gardens) with the ultimate aim of developing genetic markers.This Oregon material compared with Washington material. Provenance information will help direct future breeding efforts, as well as trials for several species have been laid down, focussing on those improve methods for the selection of superior individuals at an that have good representation throughout Ireland.The results may early age, and also to provide information on how to optimise the reveal that more southerly origin seed sources are potentially more deployment of improved material. suitable in certain locations for the predicted future climate. Research The genetic basis of superiority in Sitka spruce is being studied on DNA sequencing may complement the provenance work. by a UCD–Coillte team. Research fellow, Dr Olga Grant, is leading The use of non–native seed sources of oak (Quercus petraea L. this work to identify the genetic basis of superiority using physiological and Q. robur L.) may be justified, especially if the quality of the and morphological measurements, mainly using greenhouse– grown native material is poor. Although considered less site demanding material. In particular, the objective is to identify superior genotypes than many other native species, quality oak will not be produced at an early age. So far, it is clear that substantial variability exists on unsuitable sites, regardless of the genetic quality of the material between progeny of different Sitka spruce crosses in terms of used. In particular, oak should not be planted on exposed sites. morphology and some physiological traits.Two PhD students, The work on oak is being led by Dr David Thompson (Coillte) based at UCD, are also involved in this research. Phillip Glombik and is being carried out in collaboration with Derek Felton is attempting to identify the relationship between juvenile vigour (private consultant). Coillte have established a series of oak traits and mature attributes. Sitka spruce seedlings are being grown provenance trials in Ireland from 1988 to 2009. The first series and monitored from the germination stage until the age of three was established in 1988 and contained up to 29 Irish provenances on years. Recorded traits are being compared with the performance four different sites.The second series was established in 2005 of some of the same families in long–term (existing) field trials. and contained 15 provenances from Ireland, the UK and other Liam Donnelly is studying the impact of clone deployment on the parts of Europe established on three sites. The final series was performance of Sitka spruce. Clonal material, produced via somatic established in 2008/09 and contained up to 21 Irish provenances planted in two field trials. Assessments by Derek Felton of height, diameter and form/ quality have been carried out on several occasions for the older trials, but the trials are still too young to begin to provide meaningful results.

The data indicate that there is considerable variation in performance of Irish provenances of oak. The variation may, at least in part, reflect different levels of exploitation of native material over time in addition to introgression with introduced material. It is likely that significant improvements in quality and yield can be achieved by sourcing seed from Ireland. However, these stands may not produce enough seed for operational–scale use. Recommendations on the best Irish oak seed sources, as well as the best non-native material for use Ireland, will be provided later in the ForGen programme.

BREEDING AND PROPAGATION The focus of breeding and propagation is on Sitka spruce (UCD & Coillte), birch (Betula spp.) (Teagasc) and alder (Alnus spp.)

(Teagasc).The studies on Sitka spruce are being directed towards understanding the genetic basis of superiority, using physiological

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Early identification of superior individuals would save time and money in tree improvement (Photo: Phillip Glombik, UCD)

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UCD FORESTRY diversity and show no geographic structure.This is likely due to the extensive dispersal of pollen and seed in this species.The data confirm that the majority of alder and birch found in Ireland are unquestionably of native origin.The situation is more complex for pine as it is considered to have become extinct and been reintroduced from Scottish material. However, a recent ecological study suggests that there may be at least one site that is of putative native origin. Samples of material from this population will be analysed to determine if there is any pattern to the DNA sequences that might infer a native status.

Newly emerged improved Sitka spruce seedlings (Photo: Phillip Glombik, UCD)

embryogenesis, has been established in closely spaced mixed– and mono–clonal plots to encourage early onset of competition.

The objective is to determine how clones perform in competition with other improved and unimproved clones. Some clones may perform well, but mainly at the expense of other clones. Such clones may perform well only if there is little competition from other improved material. Recorded traits are being compared with the performance of some of the same families in long-term Coillte field trials.The information will inform decision– making as to the best strategy for the deployment of improved clonal material in the field.

The amount of improved Sitka spruce seed that is available is actually relatively low, so new research is currently underway at Paul McCabe’s laboratory to increase the amount of material generated through micropropagation.The research on alder and birch by Dr Elaine O’Connor of Teagasc follows on from previous

COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS An important step in tree improvement is to determine the most suitable tree improvement strategy for each species of interest in Irish forestry. Standard methods of cost–benefit techniques are being used to analyse data for all species that have been considered for improvement in Ireland.The total cost of achieving genetic gains is being calculated for each species and breeding strategy.

The basis of the analysis is a series of cash flows, based on current estimated costs and expected increases in productivity in Ireland. A ranking of the cost/benefit ratios of a range of species will reveal which species are worthy of attention and the level of improvement that can be justified, given that tree improvement is expensive and resources are limited.

Thanks to Conor O’Reilly, David Thompson, Derek Felton and Colin Kelleher for contributions to this article.

For more information contact Conor O’Reilly, UCD Forestry (conor.oreilly@ucd.ie), Phone: +35317167191; http://www.ucd.ie/agfood/ucdforestry/

“Clonal material, produced via somatic embryogenesis, has been established in closely spaced mixed- and mono-clonal plots to encourage early onset of competition” studies funded by COFORD. The research has resulted in the upgrade of the two species from the ‘selected’ (material derived from improved stands) to the ‘Qualified’ (material derived from selected superior individuals) category under the EU Forest Reproductive Materials regulations.This was announced at the Forestry and Bioenergy Show held in Stradbally in May 2013.

GENETIC DIVERSITY OF NATIVE TREE POPULATIONS Although plants are relatively immobile, they may have great capacity to transport their genes through pollen and through seed dispersal, for example via wind or animals. Molecular genetic techniques can be used to study dispersal and identify the origin of a population.This is an important step in characterising genetic diversity and in understanding the environmental tolerances or adaptations of a population. Based at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin, Dr Colin Kelleher and Dr Philippe Cubry are leading this part of the research programme.

The genetic diversity of native tree populations is being characterised with a view to establishing their origin, especially in establishing their relationship to material of same species from elsewhere in Europe.To date, samples have been collected and DNA extracted from alder and birch. Collections from Scot’s pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees are underway and will be completed in the near future.

Preliminary results show that the alder populations in Ireland show similarity with genotypes found in Britain, with the most common genotype being the northern type, which extends into Scandinavia.The alder populations also show very large genetic

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Phenotypically superior (or ‘plus tree’) of Sitka spruce in a forest stand in Ireland. Seed and cuttings are taken from plus trees and preserved for evaluation in the breeding programme (Photo: Dr David Thompson, Coillte).

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

AAFIRE PROTECTION A Fire Protection was founded by Mark Costelloe in August 2008. Mark worked in the Fire Protection Industry, for over 22 years. Mark was trained by the Irish Navel Service in 1979 as a Fire Officer. He was trained in the mechanical division and was in control of fire safety on board ships around the country. Mark left the Navy in 1985 and joined the Cork County Fire Brigade where he obtained an additional BA and fire training. In 1991, Mark finished with Cork County Fire Brigade and since then has worked in the Fire Protection Industry, for over 17 years, training in new personnel in the safe and proper ways of servicing fire equipment.

Joe Curtin joined AA Fire in 2010 bringing with him even more knowledge and experience in the fire business.With Joe’s help the company have opened up new Accounts in the Waterford, Tipperary,Kilkenny,and East Cork Areas.

Through Mark and Joe’s extensive experience, AA Fire Protection is consistently helping people understand the dangers of fire and how having the right equipment that can help you prevent serious injury or maybe even death. AA Fire Protection prides itself in being able to stand over all work completed and also in Accordance with Irish and European standards.

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weighting extinguisher, checking safety pin, pressure gauge, hose/nozzle, replacing a new tamper proof seal, cleaning and checking instruction label, and wall bracket.

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

MISCANTHUS – QUO VADIS?

Crops being ploughed up, negative press and poor markets do not paint a pretty picture, writes Paddy O’Toole, Quinns of Baltinglass.

David Tyrrell, Quinns of Baltinglass, demonstrates the colossal difference in plant growth within the one field entirely due to soil fertility.

WHY HAVE MANY CROPS BEEN PLOUGHED UP? to evaluate the economics of leaving potentially low yielding crops

for an extra year prior to harvesting.

Crops of miscanthus in low fertility soils do benefit significantly Miscanthus in tandem with maize and cereal crops was a victim from applications of either biosolids (Farm yard manure, slurry or of the cold wet Spring and Summer of 2012 and yields were generally treated municipal sludges) and certainly respond to potash (K) if potash levels are below normal. reduced by 40/50% on the previous year.

Again it is difficult to grow two crops in the one field and it is preferable to apply glyphosphate (Roundup) even slightly beyond DISTANCE FROM END USE the purple bud emergence stage rather than having miscanthus Many crops of miscanthus are far removed from Edenderry compete against the emerging grasses etc.

Power Station–presently the main market place for miscanthus In general it can be stated that a good growing year for maize crops in the south and southwest of Ireland. Very high transport will also be a good growing year for miscanthus and vice versa. costs associated with delivering chipped product to Edenderry Miscanthus must be treated with the same respect as maize if renders this outlet completely unviable. maximum yields are to be achieved and one must dispense with CROP FAILURE the notion that miscanthus will grow well in poorer soils with Partial Crop failure due to unsuitable soil conditions and/or little or no crop management skills. poor weed and pest control.

David Tyrrell highlights last years unharvested crop, still intact

POOR YIELD IN 2013

MARKETS Lack of confidence in emerging markets.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT Lack of any support at Government level to encourage capital investment in commercial renewable energy heating systems.

BAD PRESS Very negative press at national level was also a major influence and many of us still left with miscanthus growing in our fields are regarded almost as social pariahs!

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES Poor Yields – Due to a cold wet Spring miscanthus regrowth was also behind target this year but following quiet phenomenal growth during June, July and August record high yields are confidently expected during the 2014 harvesting period.

Crops of miscanthus which were left unharvested in 2013 also look exceptionally good at present and it will be very interesting

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within this year’s fresh growth, in a potentially record yielding miscanthus crop in Co. Wexford.

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MARKETS

One of the many

Growers who have put a lot of their time, money and resources commercial heating end into growing miscanthus have become increasingly frustrated and uses for miscanthus disillusioned at a continuing dearth in the market place.There is an absolute requirement for finding a niche market in close proximity to where the crops are grown.

Miscanthus can directly replace fossil fuels with up to 80% savings so why is it proving so difficult to find a market nearer home?

The simple explanation is in order to change from a commercial fossil fuel burner to a miscanthus big bale burner the capital cost incurred is very high and in the present economic climate the banks are very reluctant to finance such projects.

Ireland Inc., to meet its 2020 targets must replace 12% of its fossil fuel heat production with a sustainable energy source such as miscanthus, willow woodchips etc. As other countries also try to achieve this target imported biomass will become scarce and more expensive.

It is with incredible short sightedness that the relevant Government Departments have not as yet followed up the very welcome and necessary bioenergy establishment grants with an incentive to the bigger industrial or commercial users to change over to biomass for their heat requirements. Quinns through IRBEA (Irish Bioenergy championships. Niall McGuinness MD CPL states “I have been Association) have requested such assistance at a pilot level so as doing business with Quinns for many years and very much look to demonstrate the quiet enormous savings, that can be made by forward to assisting them in their efforts in finding a viable and replacing heating oil with miscanthus sustainable market for miscanthus crops. All going according to A national bioenergy strategy working group is expected to plan I expect to have the factory built and operating in 2015 and have finalised its proposals during September and the overall we will require up to 100,000 tonnes of biomass” contribution of biomass crops to Ireland reaching its 2020 targets Baltinglass based company Pat Lee Engineering Ltd is presently will be dependent on the support and incentives in this plan for manufacturing two commercial boilers which will be specially renewable heat. designed to include miscanthus chips. Pat Lee, states “We have used

“A national bioenergy strategy working group is expected to have finalised its proposals during September and the overall contribution of biomass crops to Ireland reaching its 2020 targets will be dependent on the support and incentives in this plan for renewable heat” In the meantime Quinns are striving to locate significant markets particularly in the area where there is a lot of miscanthus growing and no viable market.

Quinns have enjoyed a long business relationship with Niall McGuinness M.D., CPL Fuels Ireland and are presently in negotiations with CPL with respect to supplying miscanthus to its proposed new briquette factory which will be located in Foynes, Limerick.

The capacity of this factory will be circa 300,000 tonnes and it is proposed that all of the briquettes produced will contain at least 30% biomass.

Miscanthus is already being tested for its suitability and the green light for same should be given prior to the national ploughing

Big bale feed in system to 3 megawatt burner

miscanthus chip in a recently manufactured boiler for a small district heating system and its energy output compares very favourably with any other form of biomass.We are also in the final design stage of a 3 megawatt big bale feed in burner which will be used at Thornhill, Tullow for the drying of circa 40,000 tonnes of grain” The installation of the 3 megawatt burner in Thornhill is now solely dependent on some positive news in the forthcoming National Bioenergy Strategy Plan with respect to incentives for renewable heat.

LEADER,The Carlow Rural Partnership Board have recently approved a grant of €185,000 for the provision of a miscanthus chipping mill on the farm of Norman Bradley near Fengah in Co Carlow.

Quinns are already using this location as a store for miscanthus bales and this new facility will add great flexibility to its end use.

The great wave of negativity which engulfed the whole miscanthus industry during the early months of 2013 however understandable is now hopefully giving way to a new era of hope and optimism.

Ireland to both meet its legal targets and reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels must encourage in a practical way the reestablishment of biomass crops like miscanthus.

Circa €7 million have already been spent by the Irish taxpayers and growers in the establishment of miscanthus and willow crops. It would by a crying shame if the relevant government departments stand idly by while one by one these potentially very valuable crops are ploughed up. A little help would rekindle and reignite this fledgling industry and now is the time for some tangible support.

Miscanthus will if managed and marketed efficiently prove to be a very profitable crop for the grower and an even more profitable source of energy for the end user.

Let it not be said that yet another golden opportunity was allowed to slip away.

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DERMOT CASEY TREE CARE

DERMOT CASEY TREE CARE SERVICES

“Cost effective site clearance and mulching of dense scrub,large tree stumps and thick vegetation are mere fodder for the AHWI RT 400 machine”So says Noel Lane of Dermot Casey Tree Care Services.

ermot Casey is the first Tree Care Services Company in Europe to purchase self–propelled AHWI RT400 mulching machines to provide a wide variety of site clearance services.

Made in Germany, it is designed to work on varying degrees of slopes, poor ground and all forestry conditions.

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The AHWI RT400 has been deployed in a range of diverse sites and difficult terrain by the Company to a broad customer base including the following: * Hedgerows clearance for NRA and local authorities * Scrub clearance for Local Authorities * Timber clearance under high tension power lines

“However, the machine was never in such demand as at present for services outlined above, particularly in the Wind Energy, Christmas Tree Farms and general Agriculture markets.The feedback is extremely positive on the performance in most Irish conditions” * Forestry clearance on windfarms sites * Reclamation of forestry land for agriculture * Reclamation of forestry land for industrial development * Clearance of old Christmas tree farms (rejects and stumps) * Reclamation of scrubland for agriculture * Reclamation of scrubland for forestry development * Woodland clearance for development of sports facilities * Timber clearance for road construction for forestry companies The AHWI RT400s exceptional power characteristics and go anywhere ability enables hard to reach areas to be mulched efficiently and quickly. Cost effective mulching of dense scrub, large tree stumps,thick vegetation are mere fodder for this powerful machine.

The AHWI RT 400s PTO drive offers real advantages when compared with hydraulically driven machines as more power is delivered directly to the mulcher. This machine has also been proven as the most environmentally friendly machine in the business. Dermot Casey Tree Care has been using a number of these incredible machines for many years with great success and great value to a range of customers. However, the machine was never in such demand as at present for services outlined above, particularly in the Wind Energy,Christmas Tree Farms and general Agriculture markets.The feedback is extremely positive on the performance in most Irish conditions.Demonstration DVD/CDs are available on request.

Visit the website to view this powerful machine the AHWI RT400 in action at www.dermotcasey.com or Callsave 1850 330 000.

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EUCALYPTUS FEATURE

D-PLANT HORTICULTURE–LEADING THE WAY TO SUSTAINABLE FUEL Grow your own Firewood in as little as eight years with Eucalyptus Short Rotation Forestry. wood fuel crop ideally suited for the firewood log market as well as the other wood fuel products like chip and pellet. Eucalyptus as a wood fuel crop has a low entry level.This is an ideal crop for with as little as 250m2 or as much as you can handle. It can be planted by hand with a spade and harvested with a chainsaw or a mechanical harvester.

This seasons planting went well with numbers increasing on last year and 2014 projections are more than three times 2013 figures.The warm weather this July will mean some watering to help plants establish, especially later planted crops. Weed control remains to be a key factor in the progression of the crop. Poor weed control – in our view – could make what should be an 8 year crop take 12 years to be fit for first harvest. Well tilled soil has shown to give the best and most uniform establishment.The use of 750mm silage wrap as a mulch has proved very useful especially in keeping herbicide application away from the Eucalyptus plants.

Two to three applications per year of Glyphosate (Roundup) and Glufosinate–ammonium (Basta) for the first two and a half years has worked very well in our trials. Mowing or strimming between the rows helps get back on track if weeds get out of Standard hand. It has proven much easier to keep on top of weed control transplant size rather than trying to rescue a situation which has gotten out of ow that we are into 2013 we see further growth in the hand. Eucalyptus planted at 2M x 2M should close canopy by the interest in growing Eucalyptus.There has been a steady increase in the number of people undertaking the plantation of middle to end of the third year and no further weed control will be needed again until after harvest on year 8 to 10.The addition Eucalyptus for wood fuel, firewood logs in particular. D–Plant of 50g of a balanced fertilizer per plant at planting time and Horticulture is dedicated to the development of Eucalyptus as a future source of wood fuel in Ireland. 2013 has seen approximately again at 1 year old has shown to be of great benefit giving the transplant a good boost during establishment. Plants should be 60 new growers from around the country planting eucalyptus watered in if planted during dry periods and watered regularly with projects ranging from small self–sufficiency plantations to until established. larger commercial forests and 2014 will have upwards of 100 Eucalyptus Glaucescens at 50 months from planting

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“There is a rising cost of fossil fuels and increasing pressure on the firewood supply market due to the compulsory requirement for smokeless fuel in urban areas, coupled with competition for traditional forest resources from fiberboard, wood chip and pellet products” new plantations of Eucalyptus planted around the country.

It’s been more than 6 years since we first looked at Eucalyptus as a wood fuel crop.After 2 years of research we planted our first trial plots in May 2009.

The winters of 2009–2010 and 2010–2011 were a real trial, but while we sustained heavy losses we also learned a huge amount about cold hardiness, variety selection, provenance selection and site selection. These two winters, while severe in every way, are what has brought this eucalyptus industry forward in research and development. The surviving species in the trial plots planted in 2009 with 30cm transplants now stand at an average height of 6.8m fifty months from planting.

There is a rising cost of fossil fuels and increasing pressure on the firewood supply market due to the compulsory requirement for smokeless fuel in urban areas, coupled with competition for traditional forest resources from fiberboard, wood chip and pellet products.This is putting pressure on the firewood supply market.

The need to bridge this gap is becoming more apparent each year.

Eucalyptus is an ideal crop for this purpose. A purpose grown

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Plants for 2014 are almost booked up. If you are interested in planting for 2014 contact us ASAP.

VARIETIES AVAILABLE THIS SEASON FROM D–PLANT HORTICULTURE: • E glaucescens – will coppice (–15to –17) • E urnigera – will coppice (–15c to –17c) • E. rodwayi – will coppice (V13c to –15c) Suitable for wetter sites • E. subcrenulata – Will coppice (–14c to –17c) • E.parvula – will coppice (–14c to –16c) • E. cordata – will coppice. Useful for coastal shelter. (–12c to –14c) • E. nitens – vigorous but does not copice reliably (–12c to –13c) • E. denticulata – will coppice (–11c to –12.5c) For further information contact: Brendan Doyle.

D–Plant Horticulture, Borelia, Glenbrien, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Tel: 053 9236516, Mobile 087 2861221, Email: dplant@eircom.net, www.dplant.ie

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

WOOD GASIFICATION SUSTAINABILITY’S SECRET WEAPON

Since ancient times, wood has always been a key source of fuel due to its combustion properties, but what isn’t always readily known is the hidden energy trapped deep within its very fibres.

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og gasification works on the principle of applying modern engineering to ancient technologies as wood or any biomass material when burned in an oxygen starved environment releases combustible gases. Resulting “woodgas” is then mixed with oxygen from incoming air, causing a highly efficient secondary burn at temperatures of up to 2000 degrees. This process also makes wood gas appliances inherently safer than many other heating options, due to the fact that most of the toxic and harmful carbon monoxide is ignited and oxidized to form non toxic carbon dioxide in the secondary combustion cycle.

Log gasification boilers from well regarded maker,Atmos feature a downdraft fan system, which sucks the collected gas into a ceramic lined lower combustion chamber where it is then ignited. Burning at ultra high temperatures, the remaining biomass material is then rapidly burnt out fully within a few hours, generating huge amounts of heat energy and minimal waste in a process that is up to 90% efficient.The perception however sets in with some buyers that, once burnt out, the boiler needs refilled again and again to keep it burning, thus making it seem potentially unattractive as a viable home heating option.

What is not always picked up by these “skim readers” about these boilers, is that the energy generated can be stored, meaning a vast reduction in refilling them. Log gasification boilers are designed to be twinned with a high efficiency accumulator heat store which stores the heat energy as super heated water.The water in an accumulator tank will lose only a few degrees per day with minimal draw off but bearing in mind that the temperature the water reaches can be in excess of 80 degrees, these systems can afford a degree or two of heat loss! That in turn means that you won’t be running to fill it as often – most owners only need to fill once a day on average, taking only around 10 minutes to load and light.

So as a source for cosy home heating and piping hot domestic water for baths,showers and faucets,wood gasification boilers really do deserve a second glance. Oh and in terms of cost, the steep trajectory of heating oil rises now sees it at 6p per kwh, following rises of 60% in

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the last 3 years. By comparison, timber logs work out around 2–3p per kwh, and are rising much less sharply than oil over the same period. M.Large of Co. Antrim have been spearheading the wood heating industry in Ireland and the UK for almost 15 years and now have been suppliers to approximately 300 boiler installations in Ireland.The majority of these installations it should be said have been for domestic users for new builds and conversions but an increasing number of industrial clients are now reaping the benefits of wood heating as a source of heat energy leveraged through the availability of sustainable waste timber off cuts from production processes.

To mention a few, Heron Bros, Greenhill Kitchens and Creagh Concrete products all share the common trait of using virgin timber in their construction, manufacturing and production processes, all of

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE which creates a ready supply of timber offcuts ideal for burning as firewood. Using the log gasification and buffer tank combination, all of the heating requirements for these clients’ workshops and even offices are satisfied by the recycling of what is essentially a by–product. In all aspects of M.Large’s production values, there’s always been a socially responsible outlook with regards to maximising use of available resources, minimising waste and re using where feasible and responsible.“It’s a natural progression really” said Tim Wilson, Marketing Manager for M.Large,“...we have been involved in all aspects of wood harvesting for over 40 years. In our early years (before his time he would like us to point out!) the company focussed

M.Large has since seen steady sales of boiler and tank packages but it has to be said this is in part due to the commitment to their educating potential customers about the methodology and technology used with the systems, which in terms of the market is only reaching the tip of the iceberg.

Back in May 2013 the company exhibited at the Stradbally Irish Forestry,Woodland and Bio Energy show where the featured boilers and marketing material created a draw of interested customers of whom very few fully understood the features, needs and dependencies of a wood gasification system. The secret is getting out there but’s in certain cases it’s definitely a “slow burn”.

“M.Large of Co.Antrim have been spearheading the wood heating industry in Ireland and the UK for almost 15 years and now have been suppliers to approximately 300 boiler installations in Ireland” its efforts in the tree management and removal sector and gathered vast quantities of wood supplies that literally nobody wanted. It’s the growing realisation that wood was and is an entirely viable, efficient and sustainable alternative energy source that has seen the company develop a machinery division to service and equip a burgeoning firewood production market.”

This is attributable to the diversification of many agribusinesses into small scale farm based firewood businesses.To service this emerging market M.Large began to import firewood processor machines from Finland and Northern Europe where “every home has one”, allowing struggling farmers and landowners to add firewood production to their revenue streams. In the last 15–20 years the company, having been influential in Ireland’s and the UK’s developing interest in fuelwood use also noticed the volumes of off cuts and waste timber generated and realised these could be tapped for heating energy purposes. This saw the importation and distribution of both gasifiying and non– gasifying type wood boilers to leverage the potential energy stored in raw timber.

For further information, case studies and success stories on domestic and industrial log gasification based systems from Atmos and Akvaterm contact M.Large on +442890342838 or email: sales@mlarge.com or see our feature advert in the magazine.

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WOODPECKER ENVIRONMENTAL

oodpecker Environmental, a family run business day delivery, you can be confident in your machinery. Annmarie can be contacted on Tel: 086–8181636/01–2950646 or by email: providing nationwide service is 10 years in business annmarie@woodpeckerenv.ie. this year. We are now suppliers for Schliesing wood The wide range of wood chippers available from both Schliesing chippers, Jo Beau and Greenteeth products throughout Ireland and Jo Beau are yet to be matched both with performance and and Northern Ireland, and have been recently appointed the quality of manufacturing. Quite possibly the best available in the distributors for Carlton stump grinders and Rabaud Products. market.The Schliesing tow behind wood chippers are available in Carlton have been manufacturing equipment for the arborist both single and twin axle versions depending on model, ranging trade since 1952, with a wide range of stump grinders, for example the SP4012N unmatched ability with a narrow access of 29”, and with an intake from 13cm right up to 30cm. PTO versions can be the 7015TRX, a remote control 66hp turbo charged Kubota engine supplied for tractors as little as 18hp up to 200hp, which also includes a Forestry wood chipper with the option of a mounted and adjustable track width from 35” to 48 inches, 70” swing and 15” below ground level– this really is the workhorse of the range.

Rabaud are located across a 10 acre site in the Vendée (on the North–West coast of France) have been manufacturing since 1980.

Rabaud company designs, manufactures and trades equipment for Forestry, Garden & Landscape,Agriculture, Building & Construction businesses with a huge range of products from road maintenance and fencing equipment to log splitters, circular saws, wood processors, grapples, we are very excited to see what our new range will bring.

Woodpecker Environmental provides competitive and extremely reliable machinery hire. You can be assured you are working a machine with unmatched quality in the hire industry. Long term and daily rates available.

Our sales, service and excellent product support are certainly one of our top priorities as we like our customer to understand we are always contactable and there to support them. We also have to mention our ever expanding tree stump removal service for both the industry and the private sector, Contact Jimmy for a quotation or a friendly chat about your requirements,Tel: 087– 1334000/01–2950646 or by email: james@woodpeckerenv.ie.

Woodpecker also now stocking a wide range of parts with next

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with reference to the venue, layout of the site and friendly atmosphere, very rewarding for both exhibitors and visitors alike.

Our demonstrations over the two days at the show proved to be a big crowd attraction, giving visitors the opportunity to view a range of machines in action, starting with the Narrow access Jo Beau M300, which will chip material up to 3”in diameter, the very Crane unit Mowi 300. The recently introduced 235ZX proving already popular hire machine Schliesing 235MX with an intake of up to 7”, the one and only machine for rough terrain jobs, the 300TRX with height to be an interesting machine. Unimog versions also available.Track machines depending on your requirements come in a fixed track adjustable independent hydraulic legs, the 480MX – one of our more popular machines in past times for our customer in the Arboriculture system, or like our popular hire machine 300TRX with height adjustable independent hydraulic legs, all with ease of manoeuvring industry,and of course the very impressive Schliesing 550ZX powered by a 140hp tractor and being fed with a grapple was a real crowd gatherer. from an operator’s platform. Our Jo Beau range of both wood chippers and stump grinders have also proven to be very popular We would like to express a big thank you to Brendan Fox of Arbutus Tree Services for the supply of his machine and amazing support across the industry as well as the home owner use, with a wide

“Woodpecker Environmental provides competitive and extremely reliable machinery hire.You can be assured you are working a machine with unmatched quality in the hire industry. Long term and daily rates available” range of options available from engine driven machines right up to hydraulic digger attachments and PTO driven stump grinders. Starting with the very competitively priced M100 wood chipper, available with either electric or Honda engine from as little as 742.98.

The M300 is also an extremely user friendly machine with narrow width accessibility and ease of manoeuvrability,two of its biggest benefits.A customer recently expressed his delight with his purchase of the Jo Beau B13–80 for which he has found stump grinding a little less of a chore with its added benefit of the wheels being locked in place and the centre of the machine pivoting on its own frame.

The great turn out at the Forestry Show, Stradbally 10th and 11th May 2013, proved to be a confidence boost in these tough times.

Congratulations to the organisers for a great show, in particular

with the Demonstrations throughout the 2 days of the show (and of course not to forget mentioning all the help from his son David Fox – who clearly demonstrated a big interest for the industry and even bought his 1st climbing harness at the show. He is sure to be following in his dad’s footsteps). We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our customers for their continued support.

For further information contact: Woodpecker Environmental Ltd. “Glenview”, Boranaraltry Lane, Glencullen, Dublin 18 Tel: +353 1 2950646 Website: www.woodpeckerenv.ie James: +353871334000 james@woodpeckerenv.ie Annmarie: +353 86 818 1636 annmarie@woodpeckerenv.ie

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TreeMetrics FEATURE

TERRESTRIAL LASER SCANNING FOR BETTER FOREST MEASUREMENT AND VALUATION

At present most data on forests are sparse and inaccurate, compared with what technological advances can offer, writes Enda Keane TreeMetrics.

his is due to several factors including outdated base modelling for tree measurements, inadequate sampling intensity and a lack of updated databases.

TreeMetrics is an international leader in the area of forest measurement and yield optimisation. For the past 10 years TreeMetrics has pioneered and developed new technologies to replace the current 100 year old techniques for forest measurement.

TreeMetrics focus is on the improvement of data collected in the forest but also more importantly the usability of this data to improve forest management and profitability to its customers and the forest industry.

Terrestrial laser scanning can offer a versatile tool box of techniques for forest data collection and interpretation. Using new scanning technologies we are able to accurately identify the log breakout of clear–fell or thinning stands up to three years in advance of harvesting. We offer an accurate optimisation package for each client to better understand the management, valuation and timber yield from each stand. Our independent laser scanning tool will standardise the method of sampling merchantable timber and allow each forest to be assessed in advance for both forecasting and valuation.

The development of a highly versatile toolbox of techniques of data collection, integrating different data sources, analysis and modelling techniques provides a more efficient system for understanding the resource.

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This provides a world leading solution for improved: • Forest Measurement • Forest Management • Forest Valuation • Improved Timber Yield • Improved Profitability • Reduced Waste

3D Laser Image

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TreeMetrics FEATURE

3D Sweden Image

The system allows the user to evaluate available forests in relation to log outturn, against timber market demands and provides decision support for timber yield optimisation. This in effect allows the user to create numerous virtual harvest scenarios or cutting instructions simulating the operation of a harvesting machine in each forest.The Forest WarehouseTM is at the core of the wood supply chain and good warehouse management plays an essential role in ensuring the speed and accuracy of inventory movements.These technologies enable better decision making, to realise the maximum economic value of forest estates.

Plots with logs

SUMMARY ADVANTAGES • World Leading Technology • Proven Higher Accuracy • Certified Reports • Independent and Verifiable Data.

• Reduce risk and uncertainty for sellers and buyers • Fair Valuation • Reduced costs for buyers & increase market opportunity for sellers

“Using new scanning technologies we are able to accurately identify the log breakout of clear–fell or thinning stands up to three years in advance of harvesting” The company has developed a system that provides forest industry organisations with greater forest product knowledge and transfers that knowledge across functional groups and by doing so it can help create an aligned and integrated environment.This ultimately will enable forest organisations to utilise their forest resource in a more timely and efficient manner.

THE MEASUREMENT SOLUTION Timber inventories are the main tool used to determine the volume and value of standing trees on a forested tract. While timber inventories have traditionally been performed to place a value on a stand before sale, they are also useful for providing information for the development of management strategies.

Forest inventories are based on well elaborated standards, but usually carried out in a very traditional way. Some of these standards are hard to develop accurately in practice, due to the rudimentary tools used. Aligned to this, is the fact that the manual data is entered into generalised models to determine forest volume, but are generally poor at determining product breakout.

Additionally to the human error problem, manual measurements are very time–consuming and costly.Technologies that support automated methods accelerate the work time and reduce costs are important in order to reduce the inventory cost to a forest owner.The independence and validation of the data source is also important for the implementation of standardised practices and providing assurance in the measurement and valuation.

The primary capability of TLS is the generation of highly accurate, three–dimensional images. This imagery and 3D visualisation provides added confidence that mapped objects correspond to actual standing trees.

OPTIMISATION SOLUTION We have designed the system to integrate data from different sources for online analysis.The Forest WarehouseTM platform allows the user to quickly analyse all available data in the database for any custom enquiries.This powerful platform is very flexible and dynamic; it allows the analysis of different log–harvest scenarios introducing custom log descriptions and market conditions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Enda Keane, CEO TreeMetrics Ltd, The NSC, Mahon, Cork, Ireland Tel. : 00353 877400786 Email: ekeane@treemetrics.com or www.treemetrics.com

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TreeMetrics FEATURE

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY SUPPORTS TREEMETRICS INNOVATION FOR FOREST MAPPING AND HARVESTING Online Forest Mapping

Clearfell Harvest Tracking & Production Control

and analyse the quality and health of their forest from their home computer.The system will allow the owner and manager to store online historic management information. ver the past two years TreeMetrics have secured over The system has received great support form most of the forest €1.5 million from the European Space Agency to develop management and forest grower groups in the country. new forest management software tools. The systems are Treemetrics will aim to make available latest satellite imagery form utilising latest space technologies such as satellite imagery, GPS International satellite companies.The planned rollout of the system and Satellite communications technologies.The systems are being is aimed for late 2013. used to deliver great efficiencies and accuracy for forest mapping

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and forest harvesting control.

REAL TIME FOREST INTELLIGENCE (RTFI): TreeMetrics have just recently developed and tested a trial version the RTFI product,which allows real time access to the forest harvesting machines. Important harvester data such as stem profile data, machine GPS data and log product breakouts are sent via a satellite and mobile phone communications system.This important data is stored in the Forest Warehouse system.The web based platform strengthens the linkages between forest owners, machine owners, forest manager, harvest manager and sawmill managers.

The real time data coupled with the 3D forest data can provide new information to allow stakeholders to anticipate future opportunities and problems and help to manage them proactively.

The system will help managers to manage and control operations remotely via the web application.

Real Time Thinning Control

Key Features include: • Forest Boundary alarms • GPS position of each harvested tree • Remaining Standing Tree Stocking and Volume • Automated Thinning Control • Simulation and Optimisation of current harvester tree profiles • Machine productivity • Average tree size, Stems per hectare, Log numbers and log size distribution The system will allow for greater trust between the different stakeholders. Helping to improve the linkages between the forest owners and buyers will provide a greater source of competitive advantage for the industry.

ONLINE SATELITE MAPPING PLAFORM The company is currently developing an online mapping platform which will allow forest managers and forest owners to better map

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In-Vehicle Display and Communications System

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COMMERCIAL FEATURE

BIOEQUIPMENT LTD Bioequipment Ltd supplies the forestry and bioenergy industries with complete equipment and machinery resources and has a team of professionals with over 50 years experience of supplying and supporting all forms of harvesting and processing machinery to a wide range of clients and challenging applications.

FECON Fecon, Inc. was established in 1992 to meet the growing needs of clients in the R.O.W, land clearing, firebreaks, pasture restoration, invasive species and wildlife restoration markets.

Fecon’s product line includes Bull Hog Mulchers, FTX Track Carriers, Bio-Harvesting Equipment,Tree Shears, Grapples and Stump Grinders.

Fecon has grown into one of the leading international suppliers of vegetation management equipment and boasts the number 1 selling mulcher in the United States with the Bull Hog. Fecon FTX600 tractor brings the best combination of cutting performance, track power, ground pressure and serviceability in the 600hp class of mulching machines. FTX600 can achieve 98" cutting height and 32" below ground.The FTX600 is ideal for a wide range of applications including pipeline and power line right of way clearing, large scale vegetation management and site preparation.

New for 2012 is the FTX100 LGP mulching tractor which provides impressive cutting power and traction capabilities for all job conditions.

The FTX100 LGP provides 4.4 psi ground pressure.With the standard quick attach mounting system the FTX100 LGP can be equipped to utilize several forestry and construction attachments.

new range of excavator stump grinders and below ground milling heads which allows all forms of vegetation and below ground residuals to be removed efficiently.

MALWA Malwa produces machines with low ground pressure, low emissions, low fuel consumption and low total cost for the contractor.

The New 560 Forwarders developed to satisfy the contractors demand for a lightweight, high productive forwarder with a good working environment for the driver.

The new engine delivers high torque at low rpm with less noise and low fuel consumption. In addition to its low net weight and short turning radius enables the machine to operate gently and with minimal impact to the ground. The Malwa 560 Forwarder and Harvester uses the latest generation of IQAN control system which optimizes the function of all main components of the machine.With a user friendly interface the crane, diesel engine and transmission are all inter-connected, and easily adjusted, monitored and controlled.

The 560 H harvester has in its first few years of production has established it credentials as the very best low impact harvester available.With a

“The Bio–Harvester is ideal for pre–commercial and commercial thinning applications, non–merchantable timber and brush.The FTX440 is also capable of towing and powering an agricultural dump wagon to collect materia” Fecon Bio–Harvester is a machine that simultaneously Fells, Chips, and Collects Small Diameter Woody Biomass.The Bio–Harvester is ideal for pre–commercial and commercial thinning applications,non–merchantable timber and brush.The FTX440 is also capable of towing and powering an agricultural dump wagon to collect material.

Mobile Bio–Mass Chipper System the RTC–22 is designed to chip and collect bio–mass. Designed to be installed on a forwarder chassis, the one machine process offers a high production rate of up to 30 tons per hour.The RTC–22 features a 22” capacity Chipper powered by a 365hp diesel engine making it ideal for bio-mass collection.

The Fecon range of attachments for both excavators and skid steer machines as well as the renowned Fecon forestry tracked tractors now covers mulchers, stump grinders and tree shears for all sizes and applications has been significantly improved with the introduction of a

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weight of only 5 400 kg and the option to mount tracks on the boggie makes the performance perfect – even on softlands and moors.The new Caterpillar engine with 75 hp has enough power for the Log Max 928 harvester head.

With a capacity to cut 42 cm the Log Max 928 and Malwa 560H makes a perfect combination for high quality thinnings.

The 460 Bio Harvester is lightweight, effective machine for felling and transport of bioenergy. High capacity in the hydraulic system ensures excellent production on the grapple saw.

The dedicated team at bioequipment set new standards for service and support in some of the most challenging applications For Further Information contact: Bioequipment Ltd, Unit 17, Hirwaun Industrial Estate, Hirwaun, South Wales CF44 9UP Tel: 01685 810148. Email: info@bioequip.co.uk

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ASH DIEBACK

EFFECTS OF ASH DISEASE ON HURLEY MAKING

lesions and cankers on stems/branches/shoot, Dieback of leaves with ore than 2,200 cubic metres of ash is used every year in brown/black leaf stalk, Fruiting bodies on fallen blacked leaf stalks Ireland to make 700,000 hurleys however 80 percent of that supply is imported. Britain and Denmark are the main and staining of wood under bark lesions. (pictures for each symptom http://invasives.biodiversityireland.ie/ash-dieback-information-note/) suppliers of imported ash to Ireland, although this has been curtailed You need to know your enemy before you can start to come up in recent months by the outbreak of Ash Dieback. Strict new rules have been implemented on imported timber stating that all ash must with solutions. In the same way the potato blight was dealt with, we must also research the genome that causes resistance to disease in now be de-barked before entering Ireland, adding further costs to ash and breed it into our trees. This would effectively mean finding the production of timber. As a result a single cubic metre of ash close relatives of the fungus which could be encouraged to colonise plank is now worth around €1,100. uninfected ash trees first, or find ash variants that are genetically Irish ash is particularly sought after by hurley makers because of its fast growth rate.The rapid growth of the ash creates large growth suited to resist toxins from the fungus.

Breeding programmes could also help to develop ash trees with a rings in the butt, making the wood more supple and easier to work higher resistance to pest and disease problems. In comparison to the with. However, not enough ash has been planted and cultivated in Ireland in the last 100 years to cater for the tremendous demand for thousands of years of breeding and research that farmers put into other crops, it is clear not enough time and effort has gone into the hurleys and as a result ash must be imported.

In the past (1950’s and 1960’s Ireland) hurlers and camogie players preservation and cultivation of ash, a problem which must be might only play one match a year with a limited amount of training, addressed. however today we have over 300,000 boys and 150,000 girls playing Any sites where there are concerns of unusual ill health thousands of matches a year. We have also developed the game and in ash may be reported, along with photos and details, to Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and the how it’s played, meaning that single player may have a number of hurleys, along with a thousand opportunities for these hurleys to be marine by email: forestprotection@agriculture.gov.ie or Tel: 01 6072651. Your report will be followed up by a forestry broken. As a result there is a huge demand for hurleys putting a inspector. growing pressure on ash producers and hurley makers.

M

“Irish ash is particularly sought after by hurley makers because of its fast growth rate.The rapid growth of the ash creates large growth rings in the butt, making the wood more supple and easier to work with” Chalara fraxinea, also known as ash dieback disease, is a fungal disease effecting ash which was identified in 2006 despite the fact that dieback symptoms in ash had been first noted in Poland in the early 1990’s.The harmful reproducing stage of the fungus, a new species Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus, was later discovered in 2010 and has wreaked havoc across across Europe with the majority of European countries where ash is present now reporting the disease.

Common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is susceptible to Chalara ash dieback disease, along with a number of other species of ash.The disease can affect ash trees of any age and in any setting. Ash trees often die as a result of the disease, with younger trees (less than 10 years old) succumbing more rapidly.

Precautions must be taken in the preservation of our ash tree.

Officials have asked countryside groups to urge their members to get out into the woods to look for cases of Chalara fraxinea in ash trees. Once leaves have fallen, the fungus is much more difficult to detect. Symptoms of the disease include dead or dying tops of trees,

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