Local forestry demonstrations focus on storm damage

COUNTIES Galway and Roscommon were impacted most by Storm Éowyn, and demonstrations on how to manage forestry damaged by Storm Éowyn will be held in Mountbellew and Castlerea in the coming weeks.

The initiative is a joint one by Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division. The on-site demonstrations will focus on harvesting of timber and planning for the restoration of forests.

The first of the post-storm harvesting events takes place at a location near Mountbellew on Tuesday April 1, with the second a week later at a location near Castlerea on Tuesday April 8. A timber marketing event will also be held by Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture on Tuesday April 15 at the Clayton Hotel in Sligo.

Pre-registration for these events is required and can be done by visiting the Teagasc website or by contacting a local Teagasc Forestry Advisor.

“Teagasc forestry staff have been very busy supporting forest owners since the recent storms. The two post storm harvest events on April 1st and 8th, will be held in forests where an appropriate response plan is in place and windblow clearance operations are underway,” said Tom Houlihan, the Acting Head of Teagasc’s Forestry Development Department.