Landowners ‘talk trees’ at information evening on forestry

MINISTER of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Niall Collins TD, has opened the first of four free forestry information events.

Each Let’s Talk Trees event – held in collaboration with the Teagasc Forestry Development Department at The Devon Inn, Templeglantine Village, Limerick – runs over an evening and opens with two information presentations, followed by a panel discussion with a local farmer who shares their forestry journey.

The first event, opened by Mr Collins, took place on Tuesday, November 3, at The Devon Inn in Templeglantine village from 7pm until 10:30pm.

Attendees were given the opportunity to speak one-to-one with professional Forestry Inspectors from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Teagasc Forestry Advisors about their interest in forestry, free of charge.

The Minister of State said: “Every parcel of land has a purpose, and our comprehensive forestry programme offers a range of different options for planting trees.

"From innovative agroforestry that blends livestock grazing with tree planting, to traditional native woodlands and commercial timber crops, landowners have a real opportunity to select the forestry option which would fit best on their land and with their farm business.

“Backed by secure annual premiums and robust long-term financial yields, the forestry grant and premium schemes provide farm families with a range of supports to allow them to confidently diversify their farm business and secure their financial future."

The events aim to provide information on what grants and premiums are available to landowners to plant trees and how these payments interact with other agricultural payments.

They will also help to address potential barriers to planting trees.

Mr Collins “strongly encouraged” landowners considering tree planting to attend these upcoming events.

“Landowners can see firsthand how forestry can complement their current land use choices or farm business, diversify their income stream, deliver nature and environmental benefits and deliver long-term financial support.

"Attendees will get a clear, practical breakdown of the Government supports available.

"For existing forest owners attending the events, they will gain insights into how they can optimise their forestry operations and manage their forests sustainably,” Mr Collins concluded.

For more information, visit the gov.ie website.