14 March 2025
Teagasc announces post-storm timber harvesting and marketing events, April 1 – April 15
Between April 1 and 15, 2025, the Teagasc Forestry Development Department is organising a series of events to support forest owners impacted by recent storms.
These comprise two post-storm timber harvesting events and a post-storm conifer timber marketing event, Talking Timber. Teagasc Forestry Advisors, Noel Kennedy and Christian Fitzgerald, tell us more.
Post-storm timber harvesting events
Teagasc, in conjunction with the Forestry Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM), is organising two important on-site demonstrations on managing forestry storm damage, focusing on timber harvest and planning for forest restoration.
The first event will take place near Mountbellew, Co. Galway on Tuesday April 1, 2025, and includes attendance options for either a morning or evening session. A second on-site demonstration event will take place near Castlerea, Co. Roscommon the following Tuesday, April 8.
Pre-registration is required for all events. Full event details, including registration links, are on the forestry section of the Teagasc website.
These two demonstration events will be held in forests where an appropriate response plan is in place and windblow clearance operations are underway. Because of the unpredictable nature of windblow, a number of important issues arise for forest owners which will be discussed at both events, including:
- Health and safety issues;
- Felling licences and road grants in the context of storm damage;
- Marketing and sale of windblown timber;
- Timber product assortments;
- Keeping track of timber from its harvest to market;
- Planning for forest restoration.
Attendees will meet at a convenient meeting point (available upon registration) and will be bussed in groups from the meeting point to a local forest site to see timber harvesting of wind-blown trees. There will also be discussions on how the forest site should be presented after felling to facilitate future replanting.
Talking Timber 2025 – Post-storm conifer timber marketing event
Teagasc’s annual timber marketing event returns with a particular focus on the post-storm harvesting response. This event, held in association with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Forest Industries Ireland, will address the harvest and marketing of timber in the aftermath of recent storms. The event will take place at the Clayton Hotel, Co. Sligo on Tuesday April 15, 2025 between 9.30 AM and 2.30 PM.
Talking Timber will give forest owners a good opportunity to engage with timber buyers, harvesting contractors and registered foresters. Storms such as Darragh and Éowyn pose serious logistical, planning and financial challenges for forest owners, but they can also offer opportunities for forest regeneration and management if the impact is handled carefully.
Talking Timber, on April 15, will include:
- An outdoor demonstration organised by Forest Industries Ireland (FII), with a focus on post storm response, where attendees can view and discuss the quality and assortments of timber required by Irish sawmills. Like other farm-based products, the quality of the timber has a significant bearing on the market price offered.
- Short conference-style presentations from forestry experts offer perspectives, advice, and experiences of what is involved in harvesting conifers successfully. Presentations will be followed by a Q&A session.
- Forest industry expo, representing a range of businesses, state and educational organisations and forestry service providers, will offer valuable networking, information exchange and “doing business” opportunities with forest owners.
Pre-registration is also required for this event. Further details and access to the registration link are available here.
Your forest is a valuable asset, and Teagasc staff are here to support you in protecting and maximising its potential. For further information, contact your local forestry advisor or log on www.teagasc.ie/forestry .