The winner in each category is as follows:
Farm Forestry: Joe Barry, Larch Hill Stud, Kilcock, Co. Kildare.
Production Forestry: Coillte, c/o Dan Dineen, Forest Manager, Cappamore Forest, Newport, Co. Tipperary.
Urban Forestry:
Colin Glen Forest Park, c/o Mike Dobson, 163
Stewartstown Road, Belfast.
Recreation Forestry:
Matt Fogarty, Drominagh, Ballinderry, Nenagh, Co.Tipperary.
Commercial Timber Products:
Standish Sawmills, The Leap Castle, Roscrea, Co. Offaly.
CommerciaI Craft in Wood: Andrew Klimacki, 19 Monlough Road West, Ballygowan, Newtownards, Belfast.
Education & Awareness In Forestry
No prize Awarded in 2000. Here at IT&F we find this surprising. See the Editor's comment.
Bio-Diverse Forests/ Woodlands:
Coillte, Brackloon Woods, Westport, Co. Mayo.
Good Morning!
I am writing from Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, USA to inquire about a feature that I'd love to see in your web pages. My husband is a forester here in the USA (bachelor's degree from Univ. of New Hampshire and Master's Degree from North Carolina State Univ.). We would love an opportunity to exchange with another forester - perhaps in Ireland for 6 months to one year (sort of a job switch - my husband is faculty at a small forestry college in Pennsylvania but has also been a forestry consultant in addition to acting as a timber manager for his parent's 300 acre timber land in New Hampshire). I would love to see "want ads " in your classifieds or hear from others who may be interested in an exchange of this sort.
Thank You,
Catherine Houghton
The lengths of timber are secured by means of a chain and spring mechanism, which holds them fast during cutting. A unique feature is that when the timber is secured in the Log Holder, it will not have to be moved until all the timber is cut into suitable lengths. This gives speed and efficiency to a task which when performed through ordinary conventional methods can be awkward and time consuming.
The Log Holder will hold timber, or other materials, from one inch to nine inches in diameter and is fitted with stabilizers to prevent overbalance.
Having seen a very impressive live demonstration of the Log Holder in use and the ease with which Jim performs the task of cutting firewood when using it, this piece of equipment is a definite winner for anyone regularly cutting firewood.
It is economically priced and is available through direct order by
contacting Jim Kavanagh at Newtown, Borris, Co. Carlow.
Ph: (0503) 24381.
Byrne Highlights the Importance of Forests
to the Environment
T he important role of forests in the control of greenhouse gases has been stressed by Minister Hugh Byrne. Speaking at the presentation of the 2000 Irish Forestry Awards at the RDS, the Minister highlighted the role of forestry in combating C02 emissions.
Minister Byrne said the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) recognises that global warming is a potential threat to mankind and that C02 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere must be stabilised. He said that over 80 countries, including Ireland, have signed the Kyoto Protocol to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Minister, one of the options to address this problem is to plant trees and forests which absorb C02 from the atmosphere and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. He also stated that the strategic importance of forestry is highlighted in the Governmentıs recently published National Climate Change Strategy.
Forester Exchange
Organization: Shippensburg University
To: info@irishforests.com
Date: Monday, December 11, 2000 3:42 pm
Subject: consulting query
Web Developer / Designer
Shippensburg University
http://www.ship.edu
Shippensburg, PA 17257 USA
e-mail cdhoug@ship.edu
Forest Certification Reports
T he following (3) documents are available from Just Forests. There will be a small charge for photocopying.
They will be invaluable to all those interested in independent forest
certification.
1. Draft Report 'Getting Small Forest Enterprises into Certification'
(November 2000). You can get it direct from Matthew Wenban-Smith at:
info@soilassociation.org
2. Public Review Draft - 'A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A GROUP SCHEME FOR
FSC-ACCREDITED
CERTIFICATION OF FORESTS' (November 2000). You can get it direct from
Dr. Ruth Nussbaum at: info@proforest.net
3. 'An Analysis Of Current FSC Accreditation, Certification and Standard
Setting Procedures Identifying Elements Which
Create Constraints For Small Forest Owners' (November 2000). You can
get it direct from Dr. Ruth Nussbaum at: info@proforest.net
Just Forests
Bury Quay
Tullamore
Co Offaly
Ireland.
Tel/Fax: 0506 23557
www.iol.ie/~woodlife/
Tree Spiking in the United States
A ccording to a recent report posted to the internet at www.etimber.com, the U.S. Forest Service closed an 850 acre forest near Columbia. The Forest Service said the area was closed because vandals put 6 inch spikes in trees to sabotage logging and two protestors were interfering with loggers. Apparently the spikes are driven into the
tree and covered over with bark, which is glued on.
Finally, this report also mentions armed Forest Service agents; unbelievable!
Log Holding Invention
A
very clever and useful design to make light work of cutting firewood has been invented by Jim Kavanagh, of Borris, Co. Carlow. As seen on the "Late Late Show" over a year ago this apparatus for holding multiple timber lengths is made from heavy gauge steel rendering it very sturdy and built to last.
Forestry Party 2001
F ollowing last year's successful event, the Irish Forestry Contractor's Association is holding a forestry party again this year. It will take place in the Montague Hotel, Emo, Portlaoise on Friday, January the 19th. Tickets are available from Trish at 065 6822313.
GPS Workshop
I f you are thinking about a GPS system for next year then you may be interested in attending a workshop day early in the new year. CharterNav GPS Training Centre will be holding a number of workshop days covering the following topics: GPS an overview, GPS specifically for Agri-Business and Product Overview. There will also be a case study, and outdoor demonstration.
If you are interested in attending contact CharterNav GPS, GPS House, Church Bay Road, Crosshaven, Co. Cork, Ireland. Tel: 021 4832990/1 Fax: 021 4832992 E-mail: info@charternavgps.ie
Timber Market Remains Positive
A t the EOS Board session in London recently the delegates stated that the year 2000 is an excellent year for the sawmill industry. The sawn timber markets are expected to remain positive in the forseeable future. EOS President Emil Mosimann emphasised that especially the market for high quality wood remains good. The sawmillers are however worried about plans in France and Germany to reduce cutting next year because of the demand for fresh wood on the market. (These plans are are understood to be as a result of the large stocks of stromwood).
The economic activity in 2000 is reported to be very good. The sawmilling production is growing substantially, with about 6% for softwood and 11% for hardwood, in the EOS countries in 2000. The market has absorbed these volumes, mainly due to the continuing growth in the building sector. This growth might slow down somewhat next year, but total demand will remain at a high level. The raw material availability is generally good. However, the sawmillers are worried about the plans in France and Germany to reduce the cutting plans for next year, considering the stormwood in stock, whereas there is a demand for fresh wood on the market. There is also some concern on beech log exports to China.
Prices on the sawn timber market are expected to remain stable for the year to come. Especially the market for high quality wood remains good and the prices are emerging. For the lower qualities the situation is less favourable and they are sold at a separate stormwood-market. The imports of sawn wood from Russia are growing, especially on the German market. The imports from North America are still low, due to their strong home market and the high dollar rates. These high dollar rates give at the same time an advantage for the European exports to Japan.
The price tendency of pulp is increasing. According to the delegates, this tendency should be reflected with regard to the sawmill by-products.
The EOS secretariat moved to Brussels as from 1 September 2000. EOS closely follows the renewable energy policy of the EU, which is expected to result in an increasing demand of wood for energy. Moreover, the EOS Board discussed the developments in forest certification. After the Nordic countries and Germany, also Austria will have PEFC certified forests within soon. EOS stressed the importance of a mutual recognition between the different certification systems in Europe.
EOS welcomed the so-called BSP (Business Support Programme), which aims at helping the woodworking associations in Central and Eastern Europe. EOS will give its full support to this project. However, EOS opposes to all high scale subsidies to the industries, which disturb the markets against the free market rules.
The next Board meeting will take place together with the EOS General Assembly in Vienna on 21-22 May 2001.
Irish Christmas Tree For Bertie
I The Irish Christmas Tree Growers Association presented a Noble Fir Tree to the Taoiseach at Govevnment buildings. The tree was grown by Martin Kelleher of Kellehers' Christmas Trees, Brannockstown, Co. Kildare. Martin grew the SupremeChampion Christmas Tree judged at the Kildare Growers Show in July.
Accepting the tree Mr. Ahern said it was a real pleasure to be given an Irish Christmas tree of such perfect quality. "Iım told we grow the best Christmas Trees in the world and this tree is proof of that", he said.
This yearıs Christmas Tree market is reported to be the best ever but only for top quality tees. "Customers are looking for quality". said Martin Kelleher. Christy Kavanagh of the Irish Christmas Tree Growersı Association agreed. "I never saw the like of this yearıs market but there is a bad price for a second quality tree. Years ago you would have a lot of customers looking for a cheap tree. Now they want your best tree and after that they will ask the price". There are about 10 million Christmas Trees growing in Ireland and each year about million are harvested. More than half of these are exported, with the biggest markets in the UK, France and Germany.
"We really do grow the best Christmas Trees in the world", said Joe Murray of the Irish Forest Industry Chain. "I met a group of 25 Danish Growers in Ireland last summer and they told me that our mild climate gives us Noble Fir of a quality that they can never equal".
New Group Investment Plan
F
BD Life in conjunction with Coilite established a group investment plan - the FBD Coilite P.I.P. - exclusively for farmers who have joined the Coilte Farm Forestry Services schemes. The plans were launched in April 2000 by Mr Ray McSharry, Chairman of Coillte and Mr Tom Parlon, President of the l.F.A. The scheme has created interest amongst farmers who, according to the FBD, can make tax savings and excellent returns on their investment. The fact that the farmer has his annual premiums available from Forestry makes it easier to invest some of his other income into a pension or investment P.l.P. This new Coillte/FBD joint initiative is giving a new impetus to forestry development and has created a new option for landowners.
