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Minister Doyle launches
National Forestry Conference on Minor Conifers in
Johnstown House Hotel, Enfield, Co. Meath,
Wednesday, 31 May 2017
The National Conference reassessed the future role of minor conifer species in Irish forestry. The term ‘minor conifer’ refers to alternatives to Sitka spruce and includes the following species that have adapted well to Irish soil and climatic conditions: Norway spruce, Douglas fir, Scots pine, larch species, western red cedar, western hemlock and Monterey pine. Sitka spruce continues to be a major species in Irish forestry in terms of yield, site adaptability and market benefits. Its success is the main reason why the Irish forestry and forest products industry has an annual value of €2.2 billion. However, overreliance on one species has led to a one-dimensional forestry sector and could place the industry at risk especially in relation to possible future disease damage. Ireland doesn’t have an alternative commercial species – hardwood or conifer – to Sitka spruce. Having addressed hardwoods in a previous conference, the organisers believe it is timely to explore the potential of alternative coniferous species.
The conference featured experts in silviculture, research, timber processing, marketing and wood science in Ireland, Scotland and England.
Download for summaries of their presentations
National Forestry Conference organised by the
The Wood Marketing Federation and the Society of Irish Foresters
Johnstown House Hotel, Enfield, Co. Meath,
Wednesday, 31 May 2017
The National Conference reassess the future role of minor conifer species in Irish forestry. The term ‘minor conifer’ refers to alternatives to Sitka spruce and includes the following species that have adapted well to Irish soil and climatic conditions: Norway spruce, Douglas fir, Scots pine, larch species, western red cedar, western hemlock and Monterey pine. Sitka spruce continues to be a major species in Irish forestry in terms of yield, site adaptability and market benefits. Its success is the main reason why the Irish forestry and forest products industry has an annual value of €2.2 billion. However, overreliance on one species has led to a one-dimensional forestry sector and could place the industry at risk especially in relation to possible future disease damage. Ireland doesn’t have an alternative commercial species – hardwood or conifer – to Sitka spruce. Having addressed hardwoods in a previous conference, the organisers believe it is timely to explore the potential of alternative coniferous species.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? The conference is aimed at forest owners, producer groups, foresters and forestry companies, researchers, State agencies, timber processors and end users.
The conference features experts in silviculture, research, timber processing, marketing and wood science in Ireland, Scotland and England.
