In this interview I'm joined by Colm Gilheaney, Establishment Manager at Western Forestry Co-Op. We discuss everything you need to know if you're considering planting a new broadleaf forest in Ireland. Colm gives me an overview of the Irish Government forestry programme, what it pays for and for how long. Farmland that is considered for planting is always surveyed and Colm explains how this feed into the type of forest the owner applies for. The Irish Forestry Programme supports 7 distinct broadleaf forest types and Colm highlights the crucial aspects of each and which might be best suited for the land in question. Finally we talk through the application process itself, who manages the planting, the maintenance and everything in between. 

Colm Gilheaney is the Establishment Manager at Western Forestry Co-Op. He joined Western Forestry Co-op in 2015 and is based in the Sligo office managing the afforestation team and projects predominantly in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Donegal, Cavan, Longford, Monaghan. Colm is a technical member of the Society of Irish Foresters and a Native Woodland Scheme accredited Forester.

This podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. If you're thinking of planting a new forest or if you want information on financial and technical supports to manage your existing forest then go to 

http://gov.ie/forestryforyou

Key Points:

• Broadleaf forest planting schemes and available grants
• Site assessment and matching tree species to soils
• Native woodland types and species selection
• Management and maintenance of forests
• Planting arrangements and clustering key species
• Challenges like deer and hare in forest establishment

Quotes:

• "Don't make any real rash decisions on what you're gonna do with your land, you know, because it's a big decision."
• "There are attractive grants for the establishment of the forest, there's grants for the fencing of the forest, and then there's a yearly premium which goes to the landowner every year after that."
• "Up to twenty thousand euro per hectare over twenty years"
• "FT 1 is your different native mixes based on the native woodland framework and it's based on the soil.... Matching trees to soil is crucial for success"
• "Invert mounding is where you actually turn the sod and put it back in where it was effectively... it's a weed-free piece of soil for the plant to have a start in in life".
• Why plant in straight lines? "I suppose, if you're related to the machine that's trying to create the planting position, if you're doing the planting, the maintenance, like you know, when vegetation comes on and you maybe struggling to see the tree, you know that they're a straight line in front of you, whereas if they're small and they're all over the place, it can be impossible to find them. In relation to thinning out and pruning, it just makes it actually easier and possible to work on the forest in its early stage."
• As regards Forest Type 2 Woodlands for Water: "What it's doing really is incentivizing land to be planted as a native woodland close to rivers, you know, which then will protect them in the long course, you know."
• "Enjoy your forest and get involved in its management."

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Follow the Guest on:
Colm at Western: https://westernforestrycoop.ie/our-staff/colm-gilheaney/

Other Links of Note:
Teagasc Guide to Afforestation Forest Types, Rates and Rules: https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/
Western Forestry Co-Op
on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DbsjF8eIT6b/
on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/western-forestry-co-op/
on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westernforestrycoop.ie/
Society of Irish Foresters: https://www.societyofirishforesters.ie/

Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on:
Website: https://forestrynow.eu/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/

Contact Dermot:
[email protected]
Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/

Afforestation: Now and Then with Marina Conway. 
A deep dive into how we screen all new afforestation applications in Ireland and how this process compares with the process in the past.

In this interview I'm joined by Marina Conway, Head of Woodlands at Hometree and one of Ireland's most recognisable and respected forestry professionals. We speak about the afforestation screening process and the type of habitats and landscape features they protect, we hone in on water quality and the treatment of applications on peaty soils and from hen harrier areas. Then we also talk about modern operation techniques that are used during planting to protect water and biodiversity. During the conversation we look at how things were done in the past and Marina flags problems we're still dealing with. And then we look forward and Marina makes interesting recommendations to increase afforestation and stakeholder engagement. 

Marina is a qualified forester and is currently Head of Woodlands at Hometree. She is also a Nuffield Scholar, former CEO of Western Forestry. She also worked internationally in Government in New Zealand on Forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme. She  has spent the majority of her career in farm forestry, her passion is for farmers, farm families and communities being at the centre of our national forestry policy and that our forests are best served in local and rural ownership. She is especially proud of leading on Ireland’s first Woodland Festival, largest Native Woodland Park and first pioneer birch woodland. She has participated in national committees on forestry including appointed by the Minister to Project Woodland. Marina has a Degree and Masters in Agricultural Science (Forestry), qualifications in Environmental Auditing, Training and Water Pollution Control and is a 2025 Nuffield Scholar.

This podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. If you're thinking of planting a new forest or if you want information on financial and technical supports to manage your existing forest then go to 

http://gov.ie/forestryforyou

Key Points:

• Environmental assessment processes for afforestation in Ireland
• Protection of water and biodiversity in land management
• Native woodland restoration and ecological connectivity
• Community engagement and public support for forestry
• Challenges with peat soils and carbon balance
• Future strategies for sustainable land use including - increased community engagement and reconsidering peat depths which can be planted.

Quotes:

• "We have a lot of ambition in this country for forestry."
• "Young spruce provides nesting habitat for hen harriers."
• "Rewetting peatlands can be a part of our climate strategy."
• "The state got it right in saying we need to become self-sufficient in timber in our own country."
• Time to reconsider planting deeper peats? "Absolutely...it's carbon reasons that the thirty centimetre came in and it's a little bit arbitrary. I mean I don't know how much you know I think there is there is research going on now to to look into that a little bit more because it's forty centimetres in England, it's fifty centimetres in Scotland.."
• "One of the things that that always frustrates me a little bit about the appropriate assessment screening process that is required under the Habitats Directive is that it doesn't take any cognizance of existing land use.... we can go in and do a two-year study on converting 40 acres into a native woodland. And I'm not joking, applications can take two or three years to be done. Yet the existing landowner can continue to farm that land, to spray rushes, to put on fertilizers, to dose their sheep, to, you know, to you know drain it."

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Follow the Guest on:
Marina Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-conway-01670312/
Marina at Hometree: https://www.hometree.ie/about
Project Woodland Report: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/project-woodland-final-report-january-2023.pdf

Other Links of Note:
New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme: https://environment.govt.nz/what-government-is-doing/areas-of-work/climate-change/ets/

Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on:
Website: https://forestrynow.eu/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/

Contact Dermot:
[email protected]
Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/

Chapters: 0:00 Dermot introduces todays guest

01:04 Introducing Marina Conway and her forestry career

02:24 How the afforestation screening process works

05:10 Natura sites, water quality and environmental safeguards

09:14 Water setbacks, drainage and protecting waterways

11:20 Peat soils, carbon and the legacy of past planting

14:34 Protecting birds, habitats and high-nature-value farmland

18:44 How forestry rules have changed over the years

21:20 The environmental legacy of planting deep peat

26:30 Modern forestry: less fertiliser and better planting techniques

29:09 Hen harriers and the changing forestry landscape

32:21 Replanting, continuous cover forestry and forest-to-bog conversion

39:10 Biodiversity areas, riparian woodland and protecting water

43:54 Forestry and the local community

46:59 How can Ireland plant more forests?

54:14 Finding the balance between environmental protection and forestry

56:05 Should deeper peat soils be considered for forestry?

58:46 A more holistic approach to land management

59:29 Conclusion

Public interest and support for new forestry in Ireland has never been higher. And so in this Season Two Preview I give an overview of the three broad questions I'll be addressing in the twelve upcoming episodes of the Forestry Now podcast. 

1) How do we plant and manage forests well?

2) How can forests deliver for nature and biodiversity?

And 3) How do we produce the timber we need while making sure forestry works within the wider rural landscape?

So, whether you’re already managing a forest, thinking about planting one, or just interested in what's happening in the woods around you, I hope you’ll join me in the coming weeks and months.

Season Two of the podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. If you're thinking of planting a new forest or if you want information on financial and technical supports to manage your existing forest then go to 

http://gov.ie/forestryforyou

Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup

Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on:
Website: https://forestrynow.eu/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/

Contact Dermot:
[email protected]
Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/

End of Season One Review!

Two things on the agenda today - firstly a short bit of housekeeping about the summer break. And secondly for those who are brand new or recent listeners this podcast includes a brief overview of big takeaways since I launched the show.

Firstly the housekeeping -  just to say that there’ll be no new episodes of the podcast until September 2026. This will give me a chance to catch up on managing my own forests and to plan for the next season of interviews - so make sure you’re subscribed and you’ll be notified of the newest episodes once they release. And also, if you haven’t already liked or rated the podcast please be a legend and do so. Thank you.

Now a few of the main takeaways from Season One of the podcast.

Half of my guests to date are forest owners who also work in the sector so that gives them an extra perspective. The big take away is simply that it pays to spend time in your forest so you can get the most from it - be that timber, nature enhancement, or simply for your own pleasure and enjoyment. Two great interviews that typify this are with Olive Leavy (Resilient Family Forests - CCF in Westmeath) and another with Sean O Conluain (Who Dares Wins - Transformation of Sitka Spruce to Continuous Cover Forestry) who both describe their experiences using Continuous Cover Forestry Principles. Another forest owner, Brendan Guinan (Farming in an Irish Forest) spoke to me about his approach to agroforestry in an established plantation and that's a great episode for anyone who wants to combine timber and food outputs from their forest. 

Two powerful storms hit Ireland in Dec 24 and January 25 and in Falling Timber, Falling Prices - I spoke with Victor Barber from Western Forestry. This episode was a great overview of the huge challenges the Irish sector has been facing cleaning up three years of harvest. If there's a lesson here for me it’s that owners of semi mature forests should get roads in early and try to have a valid felling licence on hand just in case disaster strikes in the future.

Forestry can sometimes come in for bad press but there's clearly been huge improvements in environmental standards in Ireland since the 1990s when timber maximisation was the norm - listen to my interview with Paul Lafferty in Afforestation in the 1990's..  for a taste of what it was like back then and because Paul is an auctioneer specialising in forest we discuss what forests are selling for today.

There’s lots of good news stories - Alan McCabe in Farm Forestry, the IFA Forestry Committee.. explained how efforts are underway to remove conifers that are spreading on blanket bogs and how Ireland’s peat bogs are slowly being rewet which is good for carbon capture and for the catchments they sit above. Lots also to be cheerful about in Community and Conservation in terms of Hometrees work at a landscape level, maximising state and local landowner engagement to deliver environmental and societal benefits - Ray O Foghlu was my guest there. Also for a whistlestop 500 year history of native woodlands in Ireland have a listen to my conversation with Joe Gowran from Woodlands of Ireland. Joe is an absolute expert on all things native woodland planting and management. That's in Irelands Native Woodlands.

If you’re interested in what happens after the forest gate then listen to my second conversation with John Sherlock: that episode is called - Firewood, Bespoke Timber Products, and Small-Scale Sawmilling - we discuss how his firewood business got started and has evolved into sawmilling and bespoke manufacture. My first interview with John was about his own forest and the activities of the North East Forestry Group who are supporting small farm forest owners make the most of their woodlands. More recently in Biomass, Renewable Heat and Nuffield 2026, Kenny McCauley, Leitrim business owner, told me everything about what it takes to run a biomass business and how his product is fueling Ireland's renewable heat market.

Farming Advisors are a critical part of the afforestation story in Ireland as they are often the first point of contact for landowners thinking of planting trees. That’s why I spoke to Andy Dunne Farm Advisor who joined me for Where Farming Meets Forestry. Andy perspective is unique and he has many examples of how Ireland’s restrictive and rigid afforestation licencing process can lead to unintended negative consequences. Equally insightful was my chat with Dr Zhu who recently completed groundbreaking research which we discuss in detail in: Barriers to Afforestation in Ireland. This interview is an absolute must for anyone interested in why Ireland can’t plant enough new forests. Then for forest owners who have a timber crop coming to market it could be time to think about certifying your forest under FSC or PEFC systems. In IPlan and Certification for Forest Owners Kathleen Lucey from the IFO joined me to explain how group certification works in Ireland.

I went international with some guests. In an episode titled How Forestry Lost the PR Battle, Peter Hashulo a HUngarian forest engineer and industry analyst explained in simple terms how the forestry sector failed to communicate its sustainability credentials and how that has lead to public confusion surrounding sustainable timber harvesting. 

The contrast to that episode was my conversation with Douglas MacMillan who joined me for "Reimagining Scottish Forestry". Douglas delivers a sharp critique of corporate monoculture conifer plantations which he says dominates Scotland's rural landscape and he advocates for a range of changes that he says will spread the benefits of forestry more widely. That episode has led to some industry pushback and my plan is to do an interview to tell the other side of the story.

Finally my most recent episode was with Eeva Lisa Heinaro who joined me in "Carbon Markets for Forest Owners". She explains in simple and accessible terms the background to emerging carbon markets and what forest owners who want to sell carbon credits need to be aware of. 

So it was a busy and interesting first season. Lots to catch up on here if you’re just finding the podcast. I’ll be back as I say in September 2026, until then take care and get into the woods.

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Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on:
Website: https://forestrynow.eu/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/

Contact Dermot:
[email protected]
Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/

Chapters:

Today I speak with Eeva-Liisa Heinaro from Finland. She spent decades working in the paper industry before moving into Carbon Lab (as COO) who help businesses manage and monetize carbon sequestration and ecological compensation projects. Carbon Lab are very well placed to deliver this service because they are a subsidiary of Conifer Consulting who manage more than 135,000 hectares of Finnish forestry for institutional investors. In this interview Eeva-Liisa explains a little about her background and the forestry sector in Finland. We then move on to discuss whats happening in carbon markets and she explains how the institutional architecture around carbon recording, transparency, integrity and pricing are being rebuilt for the future and what that means for forest owners.

Special Acknowledgement to Peter Hasulyó of the Forestry Brief (and former guest on the podcast) for his detailed written analysis of all aspects of carbon markets and who credits Eeva Liisa as a critical source in his own research. For topical and insightful analysis of European and Worldwide forest markets go to: https://forestrybrief.com/  
 
Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup

Key Points:

• Eeva-Liisa's role as COO at Carbon Lab and working with both forest owners and carbon credit buyers.
• An overview of the Finnish forestry industry - 75% forestry with a substantial amount planted on peaty soils and 600,000 forest owners of different sizes!
• Previously, the carbon market was viewed as unregulated and opportunistic, leading to distrust among buyers. 
• Recent changes to improve carbon market regulation and transparency are leading to increased investor confidence which in turn gives European carbon projects a competitive edge over initiatives in less regulated countries. 
• Understanding where PEFC and FSC certification fit into forest carbon projects.
• The interaction between certification systems like Verra, Gold Standard and EU frameworks.
• Understanding measured additionality, financial additionality and the voluntary nature of eligible additionality.
• Understanding longevity and permanence in carbon sequestration projects.
• Challenges inherent to peatland forestry and possibilities offered by "ecological compensation" projects.
• Things to consider if starting on a carbon certification project.

Quotes:

"Additionality is one of the two really core concepts when we talk about carbon projects. The other one is permanence."
"The forest certification is actually a requirement in the carbon certification systems... your forest ....has to be certified by FSC or PFC."
Carbon certification... "is a big commitment and money-wise it can get very expensive.."
"The risks involved with peatlands is really that you cause more more negatives than positives with your carbon project, with the soil emissions."

Follow the Guest on:
Eeva-Liisa Heinaro on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eeva-liisa-heinaro/
Carbon Lab: https://carbonlab.fi/
Conifer Consulting: https://conifer.fi/en/

Other Links of Note:
The Finnish Forestry: https://www.metsakeskus.fi/en/about-us/the-finnish-forest-centre
Gold Standard Forest Carbon: https://www.goldstandard.org/
VERRA Forest Carbon Standards: https://verra.org/
The EU's Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Regulations https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/carbon-removals-and-carbon-farming/carbon-removals-and-carbon-farming-crcf-regulation_en

Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on:
Website: https://forestrynow.eu/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/

Contact Dermot:
[email protected]
Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/

Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to Forestry Now & Carbon Lab
00:01:18 Eeva-Liisa’s Background & Carbon Lab's Focus
00:02:59 Snapshot of the Finnish Forestry Sector
00:05:23 Forest Data, Regulation & Certification in Finland
00:08:32 Building Trust in European Carbon Markets
00:12:31 The Competitive Advantage of European Carbon Projects
00:14:09 Intersecting Certifications: Timber vs. Carbon
00:16:51 Unpacking "Additionality" in Carbon Projects
00:21:50 The Concept of "Permanence" & Credit Pricing
00:24:45 The Cost of Entry for Forest Owners
00:28:36 The Peatland Dilemma
00:31:30 How Forest Owners Can Get Started
00:34:00 Timelines for Reaching the Carbon Market
00:35:10 Protecting Investments Against Acts of Nature
00:37:25 Future Trends: Ecological Compensation
00:39:14 Balancing Carbon, Ecology, and the Timber Industry

Today I speak to Douglas MacMillan who shares his analysis and criticisms of the current forestry model in Scotland - Douglas worked in the industry in the 1980's before moving into research related to forestry and sustainable land use systems.

In this conversation Douglas explains the historical background to afforestation in Scotland, current ownership, species selection, management techniques and ultimately who he says benefits from the status quo. Douglas gives his views on where Government policy and financial support structures are actually compounding the problems he sees. He also questions the wisdom of replanting Sitka Spruce on marginal sites and this leads onto broader ideas about how Scottish forestry could adapt to benefit the wider community and the environment more broadly. 

Key Points:

• Sitka Spruce dominates Scottish Forestry in terms of planting and processing. 
• The benefits of forestry are often concentrated in urban and peri urban areas, leaving little immediate benefit for rural communities (who host the plantations).
• Tourism in the Highlands could be enhanced by replacing the clearfell and replant model of forestry with more native woodlands.
• There is a need for more diversity in forestry in terms of species selection and supports for small scale sawmills and processors.
• A combination of low yield class and high wind throw risk render some highland plantations uneconomical - these sites offer great potential for rewilding.
• Moving forestry "down the hill" into the Scottish lowlands offers opportunities for more diverse species, integration of farming and forestry and improved silvicultural techniques.

Quotes:

"Why are we talking about yield class when we should be talking about meeting societal demand."
"I'm not saying you don't need the big mills, I'm saying you don't have anything else only the big mills."
"The benefits are shipped out to mills in urban areas."
"Forestry was traditionally owned by the laird, not farmers."

"Sitka is actually a beautiful tree - if it grows to 120 years, not when it's a spotty teenager at 40!"
"The Government needs to take the bull by the horns and say we need a different kind of policy."
"We have to take account of inequities and social disconnect between where the benefits are and where the costs are."

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Scottish Forestry: https://www.forestry.gov.scot/
Tilhill Forestry: https://www.tilhill.com/
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance: https://www.rewild.scot/

Follow the Guest on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-macmillan-440319202/?skipRedirect=true
Inconvenient truths about Sikta Spruce: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7437119413868445696/
A timber processing strategy for the Uplands: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7450583561277149185/
The John Muir Trust: https://www.johnmuirtrust.org/

Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on:
Website: https://forestrynow.eu/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/

Contact Dermot:
[email protected]
Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/

Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Forestry in Scotland

01:33 Historical Context of Afforestation

05:00 Species Selection and Management Techniques

08:09 Current Ownership and Structure of Forestry

10:08 The Role of Small Forest Owners

13:10 Global Context and Economic Challenges

14:21 Profitability and Public Subsidies

18:25 Disadvantages of the Current Forestry Model

22:24 Impact on Tourism and Community Engagement

27:19 The Future of Timber Processing in Scotland

31:15 Challenges in Forestry Grant Systems

36:59 Reassessing Replanting Strategies

45:10 Envisioning a Sustainable Future for Scottish Forestry

49:44 Bringing Forestry Down the Hill

Today I speak with Kathleen Lucey who works with the Irish Forest Owners. The IFO support and represent forest owners across Ireland through a vibrant producer group network. In this interview we focus on Kathleen's role as Group Certification Manager at the IFO. We discuss the background to getting a forest certified under FSC and PEFC, the benefits, the costs, the ongoing management requirements, the Irish Governments new IPLAN system and everything in between.

Key Points:

• The new I-Plan system - a game changer for private forest management in Ireland.
• Steps in creating a management plan.
• Forest certification standards (FSC and PEFC).
• Benefits and costs of group certification for private owners.
• Group certification scheme advantages.
• Scenarios to consider for forest owners.

Quotes:

"The I-Plan standardises forest management plans"
On the I-Plan Grant for Forest Management Plans: "it will go a long way towards covering the cost of your forester producing that. So that's been a game changer."
"Stakeholder engagement is a key part of the process"

Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup

Follow the Guest on:
Kathleen Lucey on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-lucey-015780b/

Website of the Irish Forest Owners https://irishforestowners.com/

Certification at the IFO: https://irishforestowners.com/resource/certification/

Details on the IPLAN scheme https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/iplan-scheme/
FSC - Forest Stewardship Council - https://fsc.org/en

PEFC - Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification https://www.pefc.org/

The Pilot Study on Group Certification in Ireland https://www.groupcertification.ie/

Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on:
Website: https://forestrynow.eu/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/

Contact Dermot:
[email protected]
Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/

Chapters:

Today I speak with Kenny McCauley from McCauley Wood Fuels Ltd who are based near Mohill in Co Leitrim. The business processes around 500 tonnes of wood biomass weekly to create high quality, moisture controlled wood chip. In this conversation Kenny explains how his business works, how biomass forms a vital cog in the Irish forestry supply chain, how wood chip is replacing fossil fuels across Ireland and how Leitrim can be a centre of excellence for balanced forestry. He also details the processing system he uses including the machinery and technology involved. Finally Kenny has recently started on his journey as a Nuffield Scholar for 2026. So we discuss what Nuffield involves and his study topic itself which is: “Mobilising rural biomass: unlocking renewable heat, carbon storage and bioeconomy value from farm forest resources.” 

Key Points:

• Firewood to biomass - transitioning his business and partnership with Arigna Fuels
• Partnerships with suppliers and early customers proved critical in enabling the business to grow.
• Quality control of both inward raw materials and finished product remains key.
• Biomass is a cost effective source of heating for large users such as poultry, pig, and mushroom farms, as well as hotels.
• Leitrim's potential as an economic driver through a balanced forestry model.
• The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland offer the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat which aids large users transition away from fossil fuels.
• Kenny's journey with Nuffield will give him an opportunity to understand best practice worldwide and emerging opportunities.

Quotes:

Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup

Follow the Guest on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennymccauley/
McCauley Wood Fuels Ltd: https://www.facebook.com/McCauleyWoodFuels/
Nuffield Ireland: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuffield-ireland/
Kennys profile on Nuffield: https://nuffield.ie/scholar/kenny-mccauley/
Wood Fuel Quality Assurance: https://www.wfqa.org/
Irish BioEnergy Association: https://irbea.org/
Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SEAI): https://www.seai.ie/grants/business-grants/support-scheme-renewable-heat
Arigna Fuels: https://arignafuels.ie/

Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on:
Website: https://forestrynow.eu/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/

Contact Dermot:
[email protected]
Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/

Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:07 - Transitioning from the firewood business to biomass wood chip production.
00:04:02 - Target markets including the agri-sector, poultry, and hotels.
00:07:04 - Managing target moisture content and the shift to mechanical drying.
00:10:09 - The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) and comparing fuel costs.
00:12:45 - Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme (WFQA) certification and sustainability audits.
00:16:53 - Raw material sourcing and mixing different timber species like Sitka spruce.
00:19:44 - Load contamination and the air-drying performance of straight versus crooked wood.
00:23:43 - Yard storage constraints, logistics, and processing material on forest sites.
00:29:18 - Timing the mechanical drying process to match boiler fuel demand.
00:32:35 - Using an internal biomass boiler to reduce mechanical drying energy costs.
00:34:53 - Transport logistics and the delivery radius for dry wood chip versus fresh pulp.
00:36:46 - Capacity bottlenecks, processing speeds, and future business growth.
00:40:02 - Kenny's Nuffield Scholarship on mobilizing forest biomass and the rural economy.

In this conversation I speak with Joe Gowran from Woodlands of Ireland about our native forests - Joe has a deep understanding of the history, ecology and management of these woodlands and so we touch on all of this. We discuss positive initiatives to expand and protect these woodlands as well as regulatory hurdles and contradictions that are preventing more progress. Lastly Joe gives me an overview of the training initiatives Woodlands of Ireland are involved in to improve forestry education for the future.

Key Points:

• Ecosystem services provided by native woodlands
• Threats to native woodlands: deer, invasive species, land use change
• Management practices for biodiversity and carbon storage
• Historical land use and deforestation patterns 
• Native woodland management and ecosystem services
• Policy contradictions and land use conflicts
• Training and capacity building in forestry
• Native woodland conservation schemes and funding

Quotes:

"Land use impacts water quality and ecosystem health..."
"Land clearance increased during the Cromwellian era..."
"Active management is essential for woodland health..."

The ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup
Contact Dermot: [email protected]
Sponsor Link: www.forestsales.ie

Links:

Woodlands of Ireland: https://www.woodlandsofireland.com/

Joe Gowran on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-gowran-55126a154/
Native Forest Funding Schemes in Ireland: https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/native-forest-framework/

The Native Woodland Conservation Scheme: https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/native-woodland-conservation-scheme-2023-2027/
A Guide to Native Riparian Woodlands - https://www.woodlandsofireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/No.-4-Riparian-Woodlands.pdf

Irish Forestry Programme Mid Term Review - https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/e8b56d54/Mid-Term_Review_of_the_Forestry_Programme_2023-2027.pdf

Inland Fisheries Ireland - https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/

Sponsorship.

A final thanks to Paul at forestSales.ie for his sponsorship of the podcast and for agreeing to be one of my earliest guests. If you're interested in sponsoring the podcast please do get in touch. Forestry Now has listeners in over 50 countries and is available on all the main podcast platforms. It's also promoted using short video clips on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram allowing advertisers to maximise the opportunities for exposure. Single episode, series and guest sponsorship options are available.

Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:10 - The ecological importance of native woodlands.

00:03:04 - Correlation between woodland age, management and structural diversity.

00:05:04 - A historical deforstation in Ireland.

00:09:38 - Ongoing threats to native woodlands.

00:13:28 - Native Woodland Conservation Scheme.

00:18:33 - Balancing planting setbacks along waterways.

00:20:46 - The scramble for land in Ireland.

00:23:38 - Getting grant aid for restoration planting.

00:26:35 - Pioneer species for nature restoration.

00:28:50 - The Native and Semi-Natural Woodland Operative Skills Training Pilot.

00:33:10 - Future forestry education.

"I'd die for this piece of land. It’s ingrained in me so much. My DNA, our fields have all names and stories."

Ireland is trying to increase it's forest cover from 12% but Irish farmers are very reluctant to plant their land. To understand why I speak with Dr. Laqiqige Zhu (Zhula) from Trinity College Dublin. She shares key findings from her extensive research into why Irish farmers hesitate to commit to afforestation, despite strong financial incentives. Drawing on her surveys and in-depth interviews with farmers, Zhula explains how Irish landowners aren't anti-forestry but that the state must do much more to convince farmers to plant. The discussion reveals insights into farming identity, community influence, loss of trust in the Forestry Service and why many farmers simply choose to “wait” rather than plant now. Zhula also shares grounds for optimism as many farmers express a strong desire to be involved in climate solutions, especially if payment for ecosystem services become available.

Key Points:

Farmers are making rational decisions within a system that currently rewards flexibility, certainty, and short-term returns over long-term environmental benefits.
Forestry is seen as a permanent, restrictive, irreversibly land use.
Long timeframes, policy changes, and financial risks add uncertainty.
Alternative land uses like leasing offer more flexibility, control and short-term returns.
Farmers want to be involved in the solutions and are keenly awaiting how carbon credits and payments for ecosystem services evolve.

Quotes from Interviews with Farmers:

"Land rental and the income from land rental is income tax exempt.... that’s actually killing forestry in a way."
One farmer speaking about a new afforestation application - "They're afraid I'm going to plant at the road..... everyone objects, it's a kind of natural pastime for us here..."
"The premium is not index-linked, so inflation reduces its value."
Another farmer replied - "What you’re doing to the future generations is dictating to them that the land is in forestry."

The ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup
Contact Dermot: [email protected]
Sponsor Link: www.forestsales.ie

Links:

Dr Laqiqige Zhu (Zhula) on Linkedin.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laqiqige-zhu-281602b5/
The Forest Multidisciplinary Project at TCD
https://www.tcd.ie/trinityhaus/research-areas/climate-action-and-sustainability/forest/
Links to some of Zhula's research (co written by Martha O'Hagan-Luff).
Valuing the Invaluable, a review of economic valuations of forest biodiversity
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221204162600015X
Investigating barriers to afforestation in Ireland: Insights from a choice experiment survey
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389934125002667

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Forestry and Research Context

01:18 Understanding Farmers' Reluctance to Afforestation

03:22 Irreversibility: Farmers' Concerns and Perspectives

11:33 Uncertainty in Afforestation Decisions

20:31 Flexibility and Alternative Land Uses

27:41 Future Opportunities: Ecosystem Payments and Biodiversity

34:43 Policy Implications and Recommendations