Coillte provides update on the early success of Dublin Mountains Makeover

Three short walking trails and boardwalks have been recently opened in new native woodlands at Cruagh and Ticknock. The trees here are small now but you will be able to watch them grow and see these native woodland areas develop over the coming seasons and years. These trails meander through the native woodlands, giving walkers the opportunity to explore the new landscape inside the deer fence. You might like to take a break on one of the log or boulder seats and enjoy the spectacular views across the city.

These R&R (Remove and Replant) areas look a bit messy at the moment as the branches from the previous crop have been pulled into rows to make room to plant the new native trees, but these will decompose over time. We have also left some fallen and standing dead trees as these encourage bird and insect life and are great for biodiversity.

There are more R&R areas being planted with native woodland at Cruagh, Ticknock and Carrickgollogan over the coming months. Also harvesting is taking place at Carrickgollogan to make way for more native woodland areas. This will be planted later in the planting season, which normally takes place in these colder months from November to April.

At Ballyedmonduff, an area that was harvested towards the end of 2020 was replanted this winter with what we call ‘R&R Mix’. Rather than a normal R&R area, which we replant completely with native species, this R&R Mix area was replanted with 80% Sitka spruce, and 20% native birch and rowan in groups of 10 to 15 trees among the spruce. The reason it has been replanted as a mix is because it is difficult for native woodland to establish in this area due to being at a higher altitude and more exposed to the wind. The birch and rowan planted here are being protected by tree shelters and in the future will be favoured during CCF thinnings to maintain and increase the mix of species.

Biodiversity Monitoring in the Dublin Mountains

A total of 32 long-term biodiversity monitoring plots have been set up by BEC Consultants across the Dublin Mountains Makeover area, both in forested areas and on blanket bog and heathland. An initial ecological survey has assessed the amount and diversity of plants and dead wood across the sites. It found that currently the biodiversity value in terms of vegetation is low but that there is great potential to increase this by improving the structural diversity of the forests, increasing dead wood and increasing the mix of tree species, particularly native species.

Future surveys are planned every three to five years to show the change in biodiversity as the makeover continues. Additional biodiversity surveys will also assess birds and mammals, and will help us to better understand the positive impacts of the makeover.

You may also see some new fenced-off sections in the forested parts of Cruagh and Ballyedmonduff which are being managed under Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF). These are areas of about 20 x 20 metres which will keep out the deer and allow us to see more clearly what regeneration of plants will take place without the impact of being browsed by deer.

You can learn more about CCF and R&R at the Dublin Mountains Makeover webpage.