Forestry Now

To Thin or Not to Thin - that's the subject of todays podcast and joining me to talk it through is Conor Daly, Director at The Forestry Company. In this chat we discuss the pros and cons of thinning Irish plantation forests with a strong emphasis on our two main timber growing species - Sitka and Norway Spruce. Conor explains the silvicultural, economic and biodiversity benefits thinning delivers. Then we get into the practical considerations and we tease out the many different factors that are weighed up in each forest when deciding if, when and how often to thin your crop. Finally we discuss Conors involvement with SEEFA - SEEFA are the Social, Economic Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland. Conor explains SEEFA's priorities for increasing farm forestry across Ireland and what they are urging Government to do to increase planting rates.

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

About Conor:
Conor Daly is the Managing Director of The Forestry Company. Conor is a graduate of the English National Forestry College with a Higher Diploma in Forestry. He has a depth of experience within the private forestry sector with over twenty years’ experience in the industry.
Conor runs his own farm so he knows just how forestry can work alongside the farming industry. He is based in Kenmare, Co. Kerry.

Key Points:

• Silvicultural benefits of thinning
• Operational considerations for thinning
• Legal and licensing requirements
• Economic benefits of thinning
• Biodiversity and environmental impacts
• Role of professional foresters
• Forest policy and regulations
• SEEFA's role in Irish forestry

Quotes:

• "Time is the biggest issue in thinning."
• "If you don't thin the plantation, you're pushing your clear fell out by ten years nearly." 
• "If you're making money out of thinning, something's wrong"
• "Thinning allows light to reach the forest floor and boosts biodiversity"
• "The one thing I'd say to farmers is go away and get a felling license. If you have that in the drawer, at least you have you have a piece of paper. It's like having the insurance policy in the back drawer."

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Follow the Guest on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conor-daly-the-forestry-company-b6924850/
The Forestry Company Website: https://www.theforestrycompany.ie/

Other Links of Note:
SEEFA - Social, Economic Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland: https://seefa.ie/
Teagasc Guide to Harvesting Including Thinning: https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/advice/timber-harvesting/

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 Show introduction: To thin or not to thin?
01:12 Introducing Connor Daly and his forestry career
03:16 Felling licences, forest roads and preparing for harvesting
06:27 The silvicultural benefits of thinning and improving timber quality
13:06 Thinning, wind stability and the challenges of harvesting machinery
17:31 The economics of thinning and what forest owners can expect
20:16 Thinning versus clearfelling: a real-world financial comparison
24:08 Tree growth, timber volume and wind risk
27:34 Biodiversity benefits and assessing whether to thin
31:06 Access, soil conditions and assessing a plantation
34:30 Differences between Sitka spruce, Norway spruce and broadleaves
39:31 Choosing the number of thinnings and considering continuous cover forestry
42:26 Practical advice for forest owners and SEEFA’s priorities for Irish forestry
51:00 Final advice for forest owners and closing remarks

In this interview I speak with Mark McAulay from Forest Industries Ireland (a business group within IBEC). We discuss the positives and negative aspects of forestry in the past, as well as the size and benefit of the industry we now have. I ask Mark about environmental and social concerns opponents of commercial plantation forestry have. A further common criticism is that Ireland's conifer forests produce poor timber, so we address that, and Mark explains the many uses homegrown softwoods are put to. We discuss how Europes over zealous interpretation of "peatland" is restricting planting in Ireland but that it needs to be reconsidered on improved soils grasslands especially. Finally, we discuss why all landowners should consider planting trees and about the supports the government offer for establishment and management.

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:

• The economic contribution of the Irish forestry sector
• Public perception and biodiversity considerations
• The impact of European regulations on Irish forestry
• The importance of coniferous and native forests for climate and biodiversity
• Management practices like clearfell and continuous cover forestry
• Increasing afforestation in the future

Quotes:

• "90% plus of the population think that forests are a good thing and that we should have more of them."
• "Forests are a major tool in combating climate change"
• "Timber locks away carbon and keeps it out of the atmosphere"
• "Clearfell areas green up very quickly, usually within a few years"
• "Let's say you're getting 200,000 euro in forestry premiums... over 20 years. Could we look at front loading some of that?"
• Explaining low afforestation: "We always have found in forestry in Ireland over the years is when agriculture is doing well, forestry doesn't do well, because people are not looking for a different option."

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Follow the Guest on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcauley-ba72445a/

Other Links of Note:
Forest Industries Ireland: https://www.linkedin.com/company/forest-industries-ireland/posts/?feedView=all
IBEC / FII: https://www.ibec.ie/connect-and-learn/industries/energy-transport-and-resources/forest-industries-ireland
FII Sponsored Timber Design Award: https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/tu-dublin-architecture-students-win-fii-timber-design-award/
Timber Spec - CPD learning portal: https://timberspec.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 Introduction to Mark McAulay and Forest Industries Ireland
02:01 The two priorities: planting more forests and using more Irish timber
04:30 Forestry, biodiversity and the case for conifer forests
08:11 Native woodland versus Sitka spruce and the climate argument
11:22 Why Ireland is different from the rest of Europe
15:20 The economic contribution of Ireland's forestry and timber industry
18:24 Why Irish timber can replace imported Scandinavian timber
20:37 How Ireland's forests supply sawmills, construction and packaging
22:06 Rising global timber demand and the case for sustainable forestry
23:14 Clearfelling: environmental concerns and the visual impact
26:55 The recreational benefits of forests and public access
31:00 Is continuous cover forestry realistic for Ireland?
33:25 Storm damage, forest design and the economics of clearfelling
34:40 Pesticides and chemical use in Irish forestry
37:35 Afforestation: should landowners consider planting trees?
38:03 Forestry regulation, licensing and the planting process
40:24 Government supports and the financial case for planting
42:44 Forestry returns compared with other farming systems
45:10 Environmental restrictions and the loss of productive forest area
48:42 What Forest Industries Ireland wants from the next forestry programme
51:28 The future of Irish forestry: planting the right trees in the right place
51:36 Conclusion

Today I'm joined by Donal Whelan from the Irish Timber Growers Association. We talk a little about the role of the ITGA itself but we mostly focus on a new challenge for forest owners across Ireland - proposals to widen ESB corridors through existing semi mature and mature forests. We talk about the long established practice which facilitates power lines in new plantations and how owners are compensated for areas that cannot be planted with trees. Then we move on to the many possible implications if ESB corridors are widened without adequate engagement and consultation with forest owners - hugely increased windblow risk in areas adjoining cleared sections, reduced future access to area based forestry and farming support schemes, reduced access to basic farming payments, disruption and reduction of harvest income, sterilisation of underlying ground from future planting not to mention the thorny issues of who prevents woody regrowth from establishing or if the cleared areas will be made fit for return to agricultural activity with provision for livestock grade fencing. Some forest owners, myself included, have already being approached by the ESB and Donal reflects on what land owners are obliged (under current legislation) to facilitate at present. 

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

About Donal:
Donal Whelan, B.Agr.Sc. (Forestry) is a forestry graduate from University College Dublin and is principal of Commercial Forestry Services Ltd. (CFS) and Technical Director of the Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA). Since 1986 Donal Whelan has provided forestry consultancy, management and advisory services to a wide range of corporate and private clients. A number of woodlands managed by Donal Whelan have won the National RDS – FS Forestry Awards, the most recent in 2019.

Key Points:

• Role of Irish Timber Growers Association
• Impact of proposed forestry legislation on landowners
• Current power line corridor widening and compensation
• Forest resilience and wind blow risks
• Unanswered questions around impacts of proposed widening.
• Engagement with policymakers and stakeholders

Quotes:

• "The legislation is a moving target."
• "Engage with a professional forester for advice."
• "Widening corridors affects wind stability and forest health."

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Follow the Guest on:
Commercial Forestry Services: https://forests.ie/
Donal on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donal-whelan-54240716/
Irish Timber Growers Association: https://itga.ie/

Other Links of Note:
Agreement between the Irish Farmers Association and the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) in the case of forestry. https://www.ifa.ie/ifa-compensation-agreements/
Minister O'Brien's Press Release re: new draft legislation: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/press-releases/minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-legislation-to-strengthen-electricity-network-resilience/
This issue in the media: https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/sinn-fein-to-table-bill-on-forestry-corridors-for-critical-infrastructure/
ESB's Winter Resilience Plan: https://media.esbnetworks.ie/media/docs/default-source/publications/esb-networks-winter-2025-grid-resilience-plan.pdf
Detail on Storm Éowyn https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_%C3%89owyn

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 Show introduction: Donald Whelan on ESB power lines and Irish forests

02:09 Donald’s forestry background and the role of the ITGA

06:46 Proposed changes to ESB corridors through existing forests

09:10 Existing ESB arrangements for new plantations and power lines

11:29 Compensation for land, lost premiums and professional advice

16:20 Current ESB corridor widths and compensation rules

21:03 Widening corridors: wind risk and the impact on established forests

28:12 Landowner rights, ESB approaches and the proposed legislation

32:56 Premature harvesting, financial losses and grant implications

37:40 Timber extraction, forest roads and the cost of removing trees

40:05 Corridor maintenance, regrowth and landowner liability

42:29 Farming supports and the implications for forest owners

47:17 Representing forest owners: political engagement and ITGA priorities

54:26 The future of private forestry and closing remarks

Today I speak with Kevin O Connell, Forestry Advisor at Teagasc - Teagasc are Irelands national agriculture and food development authority and Kevin's role is to advise Irish forest owners about how to best manage their forests. Today we discuss some of the reconstitution schemes the Irish Government offers owners. We start off by discussing the Climate Resilience Reforestation Pilot before moving on to the Windblow Scheme and finally the Ash dieback scheme. Each scheme has its own focus and nuance as you'll hear but all offer financial assistance to replant your site and in some cases, make other payments such as the annual Payments for Ecosystem Services available. While replanting involves challenges, Kevin emphasises that it offers a great chance for owners to reset the clock and grow a new forest that aligns with your objectives. 

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

About Kevin:
Kevin O’Connell is the Forestry Development Officer with Teagasc for counties Cavan, Monaghan, Meath, and Louth. He has over 38 years’ experience in forestry, both in the private and public sectors. Kevin joined Teagasc in 1988 and developed, managed and taught on the forestry training courses in Ballyhaise College. In 2005, he joined the advisory services, returned for a period to education but is now full time in advisory. Kevin has a specific interest in forestry education and environmental related forest management. His qualifications are M.Agr. Sc. (Rural Environmental Conservation Management) and B.Agr.Sc (Forestry). He is a technical member of the Society of Irish Foresters. He has taken a supporting role in instigating and nurturing knowledge transfer and information dissemination and works closely with the North East Forestry Group.

Key Points:

• Reforestation obligations under the 2014 forestry act
• Resetting the clock and next generation involvement in forest management
• Scheme for climate resilient reforestation
• Native forests and ecological sites
• Biodiversity and water protection schemes
• Wind damage assessment and support scheme
• Ash dieback reconstitution scheme and payments
• Financial support and grant processes for reforestation

Quotes:

• "Wind damage support is crucial after storms."
• "Ash dieback schemes help owners replant."
• "Consult your forester for scheme advice."

Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup

Follow the Guest on:
Kevins Profile
https://teagasc.ie/people/kevin-oconnell/
Kevins Article on reforestation:
https://teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/reforestation-following-harvest/

Other Links of Note:
Teagasc Forestry Resources on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/teagascforestryvideos
Climate Resilience Reforestation Scheme Pilot:
https://teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/climate-resilient-reforestation-pilot-scheme-offering-financial-support-for-reforestation/

https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/climate-resilient-reforestation-pilot-scheme/

Windblow Reconstitution Scheme

https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/reconstitution-scheme-for-windblow-2026/
https://teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/turning-a-new-leaf/

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 Show introduction
01:10 Introducing Kevin O’Connell and his role at Teagasc
02:03 Felling licences, replanting obligations and forest management
05:05 Replanting requirements and exceptions
08:32 Replanting as an opportunity to reset your forest
11:02 Involving the next generation in forestry decisions
13:06 How reforestation grants are paid
15:00 The Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme
20:03 Continuous cover forestry: creating diverse, resilient forests
24:23 Native forests and the benefits of woodland restoration
28:03 Biodiversity, water protection and the Windblow Reconstitution Scheme
30:35 Windblow damage: eligibility, assessment and affected areas
40:20 Replanting options, grant rates and applying for windblow support
48:13 The Ash Dieback Scheme and additional financial support
55:50 Final advice for forest owners

Today I speak with Regional Forest Inspector Seppi Höna about national efforts to address spiraling deer numbers in Ireland. We discuss the problems deer create in forestry and also what the scale of the problem is. Seppi explains how a national strategy group is providing direction for DMU's deer management units, which are now operational across the Republic of Ireland. We chat about whether we need more incentives to cull deer, about ethical and operational considerations relating to culled deer being left on the hill, as opposed to being recovered for venison. Finally, there are supports for deer protection in new forests, so we discuss these and other strategies forest owners can take to protect their trees. 

Seppi Höna is a Regional Forest Inspector and Forest Service Inspector at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Ireland. He has chaired key committees for the Irish Deer Management Strategy Group (IDMSG) and presented on the impact of deer in Irish forestry.

This podcast is part of the Deep Dives series which 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:

• Deer damage is on the rise, as evidenced by the National Forest Inventory. In 2022, 36% of sample plots exhibited some level of deer damage, a notable increase from previous years. 
• Deer impact on Irish forestry and native woodlands
• Development and implementation of Ireland's deer management units
• Public perception and stakeholder engagement in deer culling
• The role of incentives and policies in deer population control
• Research and scientific advice guiding deer management strategies
• The importance of habitat assessment and landscape-level management
• Challenges of invasive deer species and non-native populations
• The potential for local venison markets and food sustainability
• Ethical considerations in deer culling and carcass management
• Future policy directions and stakeholder collaboration in Ireland

Quotes:

• "Deer can damage all types of trees if at high levels."
• Levels of Deer Damage? "We know there's a negative trajectory there, even from our national inventory."
• Opposition to Culling? "Most responsible stakeholders want deer to be at sustainable levels... It's essential to cull deer to keep them at a healthy balance." 
• Culling and leaving deer carcasses on the hill: "I can see absolutely a place for this. If you're in an a very remote area... that's completely acceptable. But I do have an issue if it's the case that deer are being shot close to access tracks from an ethical point of view and they're being left there because the deer can easily be brought to a cold store and brought into there to the the food chain".
• Developing a local market for venison: "We might move to a place where a local hunter could sell venison directly himself... at the minute the hunter can't"

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Follow the Guest on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seppi-h%C3%B6na-033b2075/
Seppi's Deer Impact Assessment Report as presented at the Society of Irish Foresters Field day: https://www.societyofirishforesters.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Deer-impact-assessment-SIF-fieldday.pdf

Other Links of Note:
Farm Relief Services Deer Management Programme: https://frscoop.ie/deer-management-programme-ireland/
Local DMU Case Study in Achill, Co Mayo: https://frscoop.ie/deer-management-achill-case-study/
Report of the Deer Management Strategy Group: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/report-of-the-deer-management-strategy-group/

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 and overview of deer impact in Ireland

02:14
Seppi Hona's background and role in forestry and wildlife management

04:14
Findings from the National Forest Inventory on deer damage

06:06
Deer impact on different types of trees and forests

07:49
Stakeholder perspectives on deer population levels

09:51
Assessing deer health and population estimates

12:58
Irish Deer Management Strategy Group and its objectives

15:58
Deer management measures and public engagement

17:51
Deer management units and coordination efforts

19:59
Role of Farm Relief Services and deer culling infrastructure

21:58
Legal tools: open season and out-of-season licenses

23:49
Practical management: protecting new plantations from deer

26:02
Incentives for hunters and deer culling targets

27:52
Challenges and ethical considerations in deer culling

29:56
Market potential for venison and promoting local consumption

32:01
Invasive deer species and eradication challenges

34:05
European hunting culture and Ireland's unique position

35:57
Getting started with deer hunting in Ireland

38:01
Controversies: deer culling practices and ethics

40:14
Research and future studies on deer ecology

44:08
Summary and final thoughts on deer management in Ireland

Today I speak with forester Paddy Purser - Paddy was an early Irish advocate for continuous cover forestry (CCF) and a key figure in the establishment of Pro Silva Ireland who promote CCF's adoption. We speak about the enhancement of native and broadleaf forestry through timely and appropriate interventions and how this can lead to a wide range of commercial, silvicultural and biodiversity benefits. The Woodland Improvement Scheme grant assists owners of native and broadleaf forests to manage their forests and so we talk about how the scheme works and how it supports both a clearfell and a continuous cover management approach. And finally we briefly discuss a longer term vision Paddy has - to see Ireland once again covered in oak trees that are managed both for timber and ecological benefit. We don't specifically address grant payment rates as these can change intermittently but links to find out more can be found below.

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:

Paddy discusses the various types of broadleaf forests in Ireland, including ancient woodlands, old estate woodlands, and newly planted broadleaf forests. Each type has its unique management needs and ecological significance:

• Ancient Woodlands: These are continuous woodlands that have existed for centuries, often rich in biodiversity.
• Old Estate Woodlands: Typically mixed woodlands that were historically maintained for estate boundaries, some timber production and/or game rearing.
• Newly Planted Broadleaf Forests: These are often part of the Government supported afforestation programs, with a growing emphasis on integrating broadleaf species into monoculture conifer plantations.

Paddy identifies three primary motivations for landowners to engage in broadleaf management:

• Commercial Viability: Exploring the potential for timber production.
• Silvicultural Reasons: Improving stand development and forest health.
• Biodiversity: Enhancing ecological diversity within forest ecosystems.

Paddy then explains how interventions to enhance standing timber from a commercial point of view must be taken at appropriate stages of development. Beyond formative shaping, Paddy explains how thinning racks are a prerequisite for almost everything that comes afterwards and he gives some examples of what that looks like.

Quotes:

• "There has been a significant cultural shift in how forest owners perceive their broadleaves, moving towards a more management-oriented approach rather than seeing them as unproductive areas."
• "If you talk or run any poll on what kind of woodlands people want, they want native Irish forests."
• "Continuous cover forestry is defined by what it isn't rather than what it is. It's about creating a sustainable management approach that benefits both the forest and its biodiversity."
• "You can't retrofit quality at a late stage into broadleaves, it has to be instilled at the very beginning."
• "For thousands of years, oak was our main commercial species. in the last hundred years it hasn't been. But I would say there i it is highly likely that it will become our main commercial species again."

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Follow the Guest on:
Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paddy-purser-69996914/

Other Links of Note:
Pro Silva Ireland on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pro-silva-ireland/posts/?feedView=all
Pro Silva Ireland on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProSilvaIreland
The Woodland Improvement Scheme: https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/woodland-improvement-scheme-2023-2027/

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 Show introduction

01:04 Paddy Purser speaks about his career and interest in continuous cover forestry

04:25 The different types of broadleaf woodland in Ireland
08:51 Why broadleaf woodlands need active management
11:46 Thinning for commercial, silvicultural and biodiversity benefits
16:53 Growing high-value timber from the best trees
22:22 Developing quality, stability and resilience through thinning
28:10 Ground flora, water management and biodiversity
30:38 The importance of deadwood for woodland biodiversity
36:22 Formative shaping, inspection paths and coppicing
44:49 The Woodland Improvement Scheme and broadleaf thinning grants
49:15 Continuous cover forestry and managing woodland over the long term
57:58 Enrichment planting and developing diverse woodlands
01:02:01 The future of Irish oak and the next generation of broadleaf forests

Native Woodlands in Transition with Kate Harrington

In this podcast I speak with experienced ecologist Dr Kate Harrington about her recently published research into native woodlands primarily planted in the last twenty years. We know that native woodlands benefit nature but today Kate and I discuss exactly what that looks like in these forests. Kate carried out extensive field research which revealed subtle but critical changes to specific pollinator species and other indicators as the woodlands aged - given the vast range of other variables on every site this proved hugely significant as a gauge of woodland development. We speak a little about the where and why these forests were planted, about how they interact with the farming landscapes they often exist in, about the edge effect, and we also touch on a few simple measures a forest owner can take to maximise personal enjoyment and nature enhancement.

This podcast is part of the Deep Dives series which is kindly 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:

• Native woodland species and their ecological roles
• Biodiversity monitoring methods in young forests
• Pollinator communities and their response to woodland age
• Landowner motivations and land management practices
• Natural colonization and forest regeneration strategies
• Landscape-level conservation planning and incentives

Quotes:

• "Monitoring bees gives a quick grasp of woodland development."
• "It became abundantly obvious as soon as I walked into these sites there are so many variables... trying to capture all of that was quite difficult."
• "You do get a bit depressed as an ecologist with all the bad news but I think this is a good news story."

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Follow the Guest on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/harringtonkm/
New Study Reveals How Ireland’s Young Woodlands Are Quietly Shaping the Future for Pollinators https://www.tcd.ie/e3/news/new-study-reveals-how-irelands-young-woodlands-are-quietly-shaping-the-future-for-pollinators/

Are New Woodlands Good for Nature? https://pollinators.ie/are-new-woodlands-good-for-nature/

Farmers are Key to Restoring Nature: https://theconversation.com/farmers-are-key-to-restoring-native-woodlands-heres-whats-holding-them-back-279498

Kates work and research was heavily influenced by Professor Jane Stout. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-stout-8269401b/

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 native woodlands research in Ireland

01:00
Research focus and motivation for the PhD

02:58
Methodology: Site selection and data collection

06:48
Types of forests studied and age ranges

17:04
Biodiversity measurement and pollinator focus

21:46
Pollinator community changes with forest age

26:03
Indicators: Bees versus hoverflies

33:01
Natural colonization and ground flora changes

41:58
Landowner motivations and management practices

49:05
Personal experiences and observations in the field

51:47
Implications for policy and future research

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."

Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup

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/

• (00:00) - Dermot introduces todays guest

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?...

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/