The Teagasc Forestry Development Department has unveiled a forthcoming series of timber harvesting and marketing events aimed at supporting forest owners affected by recent storms. Scheduled to run from April 1 to April 15, 2025, these events include two post-storm timber harvesting demonstrations and the ‘Talking Timber’ conference, focusing on post-storm conifer timber marketing.
Teagasc, in collaboration with the Forestry Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, will host two on-site demonstrations showcasing how to manage forestry storm damage. The emphasis will be on timber harvesting techniques and strategies for forest restoration. The initial event is set to occur near Mountbellew, Co. Galway, on Tuesday, April 1, offering attendees the choice of a morning or afternoon session. The subsequent on-site demonstration will take place near Castlerea, Co. Roscommon on Tuesday, April 8.
‘Talking Timber’, Teagasc’s annual timber marketing event, is making a return with a specific focus on the post-storm harvesting response. In partnership with the Department and Forest Industries Ireland (FII), this event will delve into the harvest and marketing of timber following recent storms. It is scheduled to be held at the Clayton Hotel in Co. Sligo on Tuesday, April 15.
Prof. Frank O’Mara, director of Teagasc, expressed the organization’s commitment to aiding forest owners affected by recent storms. He highlighted the significance of these upcoming events as part of a broader support initiative tailored to offer guidance on timber harvesting and marketing from storm-impacted forests. O’Mara urged all affected forest owners to participate in these events.
Tom Houlihan, the acting head of the Teagasc Forestry Development Department, outlined that the post-storm harvest events on April 1 and April 8 will be conducted in forests where response plans are in place and windblow clearance operations are in progress. Regarding the Talking Timber event on April 15, Houlihan described it as a blend of an outdoor timber display, a brief conference, and a forest industry expo, all aimed at providing advice on post-storm planning and responses to optimize forest potential for affected owners.
Pre-registration is mandatory for each event and can be completed through the Teagasc website. Forest owners seeking additional information can reach out to their local Teagasc forestry advisors for further details.
