Forestry Now

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."

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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:
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Contact Dermot:
forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com
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/
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Contact Dermot:
forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com
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:
forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com
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
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Contact Dermot:
forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com
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:
forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com
Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/