In this podcast I speak to Seán Ó Conláin about planting a 15 acre broadleaf forest in 2004, buying an adjoining mature high yield class conifer plantation (planted 1987) and the risks he took converting this block to continuous cover forestry. Seán explains his background and inspiration, management techniques, thinning interventions, underplanting, windblow of standing timber, observations around nature and enhancing nature on his holding and much more. Seán is a Chair of the Teagasc Forestry Stakeholder Group as well as a committee member at Pro Silva Ireland.

Field day report from Seáns forest https://prosilvaireland.com/autumn-field-day-2023/
Pro Silva Ireland at https://prosilvaireland.com/ or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ProSilvaIreland/
Department of Agriculture Food and Marine Forestry Information https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/forestry-grants-and-schemes/
Sean on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/se%C3%A1n-c-1b24109/

Forestry Now
https://forestrynow.eu/

CHAPTERS
[0:00:04] – Introduction & Guest Background

[0:05:37] – Forest Structure & Oak’s Significance
Discussion about planting patterns, mixing species, the cultural meaning of oak in Ireland, site layout, and adapting to the local landscape’s needs.

[0:09:13] – Interventions & Spruce Management
Sean explains interventions since his trees established, including halo thinning, tending around oak, neighbor assistance, and applying for the Woodland Improvement Scheme.

[0:12:23] – Spruce Block Purchase & CCF Transition
Sean recounts the decision to buy an older spruce block, shifting from clearfell to continuous cover forestry, weighing risks, and starting the transformation process.

[0:18:56] – Machinery, Soil, & Harvesting Challenges
Challenges of using heavy equipment on peaty soil, timing interventions to minimize damage, and balancing harvesting with conservation values.

[0:19:37] – Deer, Wildlife, & Managing Browsing Pressure
Sean shares the rising impact of deer on regeneration and underplanting, failed attempts at fencing, and the need for collaborative local management of wildlife.

[0:29:04] – Social Value, Community, & Future Initiatives
Exploration of the social benefits of the forest, potential for community social farming, application to integrate habitats, and ambitions for wider involvement.

[0:36:06] – Advice to New Foresters & Learning Resources
Sean’s advice on planning access and roads from the start, sources like Teagasc and Pro Silva, learning from big estates, and insights on forest knowledge transfer.

[0:39:43] – Cultural Reflections, Succession, & Closing Thoughts
Discussion of Irish people’s deep cultural connections to trees, succession challenges for new owners, and Sean’s poetic closing remarks on the legacy of woodlands.