FORESTERS from Scotland and Ireland came together last month as part of a two-day fact-finding mission.

A group from the Emerald Isle visited five locations across the Irish Sea to exchange expertise on a wide-range of issues, including restocking low fertility sites and pest control. 

The four-strong group from Coillte, Ireland’s state forest service, also spoke to Forestry and Land Scotland teams about managing the harvesting challenges of steep ground sites.

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Martin Price, FLS's forest management support officer who helped host the visit, said: “Forestry in Scotland and Ireland is very similar in terms of the types of sites and forests that are looked after. 

“The Coillte team manages 440,000 hectares of land (7 per cent of Ireland’s land area), compared to the 650,000 ha (10 per cent) that FLS manages, and like us they have a mixed portfolio with timber production, nursery production, renewable energy and some recreation and conservation provision in the mix.

“Both forestry organisations are dealing with similar sorts of issues so it’s great to set up these exchange trips to find out how each organisation is tackling the challenges of modern forestry and to share experience and lessons learned.”

Coillte has worked in partnership with the forestry organisations in Scotland, Wales, and England for a number of years. As members of the Forest Management Officers and Hylobius Working Groups it has helped fund and define research as well as share experience and expertise.

Dermot Cuniffe, establishment process manger with Coillte, said: “Many thanks to the FLS for facilitating the trip for all of the onsite engagement with their teams.

“They provided us with a packed two-day agenda that gave us an opportunity to discuss key challenges in forest regeneration including plant protection, deer management, species selection and ground preparation techniques." 

In the recent trip to Scotland, the delegation visited Torrachilty (establishment and regeneration, and peatland restoration), Longart (Forest research Hylobius weevil control trials), Benmore, West Sutherland (restocking of low fertility sites), as well as Boblainy (restocking and regeneration management) and Morriston (steep ground harvesting).  

Return visits are already being planned between Newton and Ballintemple nurseries.