28 February 2025
Updates on forestry storm damage supports
With the recently released initial estimates of the extent of forestry impacted by recent storms, John Casey and Tom Houlihan outline Teagasc Forestry Department’s focus on supporting the recovery process for forest owners and provide updates on additional supports under consideration.
A recent satellite assessment of forests following Storms Darragh and Eowyn put the extent of storm-damaged forests at almost 24,000 ha. There is approximately a 50:50 split between public and privately-owner forests, with an estimated ca. 10 million cubic metres (m3) of timber affected. An estimated 82% of impact was in spruce forests, with almost 57% of storm damage, assessed by stocked forest area, in forests between 21 and 30 years of age, both thinned and unthinned.
At the recent third meeting of the National Windblow Taskforce, Minister of State for Forestry, Horticulture and Farm Safety, Michael Healy-Rae TD, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting forest owners in the wake of substantial storm damage. Discussions focused on ways to ensure the forestry sector has the capacity to manage this unprecedented challenge and on expanding the workforce needed to plan, harvest, transport and market the fallen timber.
Minister Healy-Rae has also confirmed that while discussions on additional support for forest owners are ongoing, “any work undertaken now will not affect eligibility for potential future assistance”.
Two enhanced decision-support tools – the Tree Volume and Carbon Calculator and the Felling Decision Tool – are designed to help forest owners in making informed management decisions. These tools can assist in providing key financial insights, helping to assess timber revenues over a forest cycle and to weigh the consequences of early felling versus retaining a forest crop for a longer rotation. The financial impact of premature clearfell due to windblow damage can also be estimated.
Teagasc foresters are available to provide advice to forest owners impacted by recent storms, offering guidance on the key steps on the process of timber recovery/salvage from storm damage. Through ongoing engagement with forest owners groups and the Forest Windblow Taskforce partners, Teagasc are organising timber recovery-focused events that will further support forest owners in managing the impacts within their forest. Contact your local Teagasc Forestry Advisor for further information. Details of upcoming events, as they are announced, will also be posted on our Teagasc forestry events page.