Forest Management Walks; see management in action!

A nationwide series of forest walks will take place from 29 April to 10 May focusing on the management of young forests. These events are organised by Teagasc, in association with the Forest Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

For many owners, the forestry conversation begins around opportunities for diversifying farm enterprises, grant and premia supports and the implications on the whole farm.

It is essential to realise that the established forest is another crop and will reap rewards if managed as such. This year’s series of forest walks presents an opportunity to see forest management in action. Each walk will allow plenty of informal discussion on various management topics as encountered on owners’ own sites. At these events, forestry experts from Teagasc and the DAFM will explain why it is essential to care for young forests.

Frances McHugh, Forestry Advisor with Teagasc said: “It is very important to ensure that a young forest will perform well and that forest owners know what needs to be done each year. This is also true if the management of the forest has been subcontracted out for the first four years. After all, it is the owner that will benefit financially from well looked after trees!”

She added, “Emphasis in the first few years will be on controlling the surrounding vegetation, ensuring that browsing animals won’t damage the young trees, replanting of failed trees, assessing nutrient needs, shaping of broadleaf trees and reducing the risk of fires.”

The focus of these forest walks is on essential management in young forests. However, medium to long term management will also be outlined along with the various supplementary grant measures now in place to support forest owners in optimising their farm forest resource.

This nationwide series of Teagasc forest walks is aimed at landowners who have established a new forest in the last ten years. Landowners who are considering planting some land will also find these events very useful.

There is no need to register; just turn up at 7 pm at the meeting point with appropriate clothing/boots for weather and drive to a nearby forest.
 

Management Walk Dates

* All walks begin at 7 pm