Establishment

SILVICULTURAl STANDARDS


The maintenance of high silvicultural standards. compatible with the protection of the environment, is of paramount importance. The site must be capable of producing a commercial crop of wood and it is necessary to carry out a proper assessment of site, soil and species suitability to establish this.


Ground cultivation is usually carried out either by mounding or ripping. Mound drains should be dug using a V- shaped bucket. Depth of Mound Drains is dependent on site quality for mounding. Mound drains should normally be spaced 12 metres apart. Buffer zones should be used between drain ins and water courses. Mound rows at 2 metre spacing except in the case of some broadleaves. Avoid excessive subsoil and a period of settlement after cultivation is required before planting. Rip at 2m spacings and in order to ensure maximum disruption the tines should have two wings fitted.



Good plant handling is as important as plant quality. Only plants with a strong, straight stem and a very well developed root system should be used. Plants should be bagged using co-extruded bags. The plants should be bagged in dry conditions and free of excess soil. Cold storage plants should be planted within two weeks of removal from the cold store.



Plantations must be fully fenced from time of planting. Existing stock proof fences or other stock proof boundaries need not be duplicated by additional fencing. In making an application the total linear metres of fencing used should be calculated per fencing type¸(stock; stock/sheep; stock/rabbit; upgrade to deer; deer; deer/rabbit)



Sometimes plantations, especially unenclosed, may require an application of urea. The normal application rate is 350 kg per Ha. Claims will be capped at €50000 for fencing costs on all plantations.



The potential fire risk of new sites should be assessed, and methods to reduce these should be devised. This is a requirement for grant approval. Fire breaks should b 6 m wide and the spoil spread for another 4 m giving in total a 10 m barrier.



Weeds reduce the survival and height growth of trees by competing for light and nutrients. The use of herbicides is the most effective way of controlling competing vegetation.




ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS


Some of the environmental considerations include the following


  1. ★Is the area designated potentially acid sensitive by the Forest Service?

  2. ★Is the area within NHA, SAC, SPA or National Park?

  3. ★Does the area contain an archaeological site or feature with intensive public usage?

  4. ★Is the area within a prime scenic area in the County Development Plan or within an area listed in the Inventory of Outstanding Landscapes?

  5. ★Is the area greater than 25 Ha?