Talking Timber 2026 event provides guidance for forest owners to enhance the value of their forests
Forest owners preparing for thinning, timber harvesting or clearfelling are being encouraged to plan ahead and take a whole-forest approach to maximising the value of their resource. That was the main message from the Talking Timber 2026 event which took place at the Charleville Park Hotel, County Cork, on Tuesday, 1st September.
Pictured in Charleville, Co Cork at a Teagasc Talking Timber Event on ‘Sustainably increasing the value of your forest ‘(L to R): Dermot Fenton, Glennon Brothers; Niall Collins T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Professor Frank O’Mara, Teagasc Director, Kathleen Lucey, Irish Forest Owners Group Certification Manager and John Casey, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer. Picture: O’Gorman Photography.
Organised by Teagasc, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Forest Industries Ireland, the event brought together forest owners, researchers, timber processors, forest owner representatives, service providers and taxation expertise. Under the theme “Sustainably Increasing the Value of Your Forest”, the programme focused on how good silviculture, timber quality, forest certification, available supports, market developments and financial planning can help enhance the value of privately owned forests.
Talking Timber was opened by Teagasc Director Professor Frank O’Mara, who highlighted how 2026 is the fifteenth year of this event and how it represents one of a suite of ongoing Teagasc research-based advisory supports available to all forest owners.
A keynote address was delivered by Mr Niall Collins, TD., Minister of State with Responsibility for Forestry, who highlighted the ongoing commitment and supports available from his department. Commenting on the event, Minister Collins said:
“I am delighted to be here in Charleville for Teagasc’s Talking Timber event. This year’s theme of sustainably increasing the value of forests is particularly relevant to forest owners.
“It is great to have the opportunity to meet forest owners, foresters, and the many organisations working across the forestry sector, hear from them, and update them on recent developments and supports available from my department.
“I am also very pleased to launch Teagasc’s new Reforestation factsheet today, which provides practical information for forest owners as they move from harvesting to replanting their forest.”
An outdoor timber quality presentation by Seán Kelly of Glennon Brothers Sawmills, representing Forest Industries Ireland, provided owners with a practical insight into the timber characteristics sought by processors and how forest management decisions can influence timber quality and value at harvest.
According to John Casey, Teagasc forestry advisor and organiser of the event: ‘forest value is created over many years, not simply at the point of sale. Timely assessment and interventions are important for all forests.’
Dr Niall Farrelly, Teagasc forestry researcher, examined how site conditions, species choice and timely management influence productivity, timber quality and resilience. His presentation emphasised the importance of the “right tree, right site, right management” approach. On productive and stable sites, appropriate thinning can redirect growth towards the better-quality trees, increasing the potential for higher-value timber. More exposed less stable forests require robust consideration of wind risk factors before a decision is made on management interventions.
Kathleen Lucey of the Irish Forest Owners covered practical routes to forest certification and the DAFM Forest iPLAN scheme. Certification is becoming increasingly important as private timber supplies expand, and timber processors seek independently verified, sustainably managed timber. Group certification can offer private owners a practical route by sharing audit requirements and providing centralised support.
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) supports for owners approaching thinning and clearfelling also featured strongly at today’s event, as outlined by DAFM Forestry Inspector, Ciaran Nugent. Details of available support measures including the Woodland Improvement Scheme, Forest Road Scheme and Climate Resilient Reforestation (Pilot) Scheme, together with decision-support tools were presented.
Dr. David Gil-Moreno of DAFM and the Timber in Construction Steering Group, highlighted opportunities to increase the use of home-grown timber in higher-value, long-lived construction products. Expanding these markets will strengthen domestic demand and provide additional outlets for Ireland’s growing private timber supply.
Tax consultant Declan McEvoy addressed the taxation and financial considerations around timber income and the transfer of forest assets. He highlighted the importance of professional advice when forest owners are approaching timber sales.
The overall message from Talking Timber 2026 is clear: the best financial outcome from a forest begins well before harvesting starts. Measuring the crop, managing for timber quality, planning access and licences, considering certification and grants, preparing for market, efficient tax planning and planning for reforestation can all contribute to increasing the long-term value of the forest.
Teagasc are available to support forest owners in optimising the output of goods and services from their forest. More information can be found here