Broadleaf Trees Make a Comeback

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By Andrew Clark, DARD Forestry Officer

Broadleaf trees, many of which are native, and include species such as oak, ash and rowan, are making a come back in Northern Ireland.

The current trends of increasing broadleaf planting by landowners will bring many benefits to Northern Ireland in the future. Between 1998 and 2002 about 3000ha, or 7500 acres, of land was planted with trees in Northern Ireland under the Woodland Grant Scheme. Approximately two thirds of this area was planted with broadleaf trees, which continues a trend away from conifers such as Sitka spruce, and we are now rapidly building up a substantial area of young broadleaved woodland.

Forestry has also been moving ‘down the hill’: This has entailed a move from afforesting large upland to planting smaller woodlands of several acres in the lowlands. This has had its part to play in the trend away from conifers: instead of the severely restricted choice of species available in the uplands, there is potentially a much more diverse range of trees available for planting on the relatively fertile and sheltered lowland areas.

Many will immediately see that this trend has brought with it numerous benefits. The increased use of broadleaves inevitably means that more native species are being planted than ever before – and the process of transforming intensively managed farmland into native woodland increases biodiversity more than virtually any other conservation measure you could care to mention. In addition, you may have noticed how sympathetic to the landscape a small-scale, well planned broadleaved woodland looks which conforms to the traditional field pattern of fences, hedges and walls.

So, these woods are good for wildlife and attractive to the eye – but have you ever stopped to consider what other benefits they might provide in the future? If you look to the continent, to France or Germany, or further a field to North America, you will find large, thriving hardwood industries. The message is that if cared for, those tiny trees we are planting in their hundreds of thousands could, in years to come, be turned into beautiful hardwood flooring, furniture or joinery products – and home grown ones at that, with all the benefits of rural employment and added value resulting from growing, processing and manufacturing right on our doorsteps, as well as increasing our self-sufficiency and giving us confidence that the timber we are buying has been produced sustainably.

Although it is impossible to predict future markets for timber, current demand for quality native hardwoods exceeds supply, and with the exploitation of tropical timbers on a downward trend due to environmental concerns, there may well be an opportunity for the shrewd woodland owner of the future to make an income from his trees –and if you are thinking it would be a shame to ever fell these wonderful trees when they are in their prime, many broadleaved woodlands can sustain a small, regular harvest; and the nature of the hardwood market means that timber sales can be achieved without ever having to clear large areas.

In addition, a moderate investment of time on the part of the owner in the first few years can reap rewards in the form of hardwood timber for future generations. Formative shaping, the process of removing forks and large branches to maintain a single, straight trunk, can be carried out relatively easily. If you can handle simple garden tools you can help to ensure your established broadleaved trees have the potential to produce fine furniture – not low value firewood. This is one of a number of simple steps you can take to ensure that woodland establishes and grows quickly, thrives and achieves its potential to provide so many benefits to society and the environment. For help and advice on these and other forestry related matters contact the Forest Service or speak to a local Private Woodlands Forester (see below) or a professional forestry consultant.

Landowners are eligible for financial assistance under a Forestry scheme run by DARD and part funded by the European Union under the Rural Development Regulation Plan and the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme. New woodlands of at least 0.2ha (½ acre) are eligible for aid under the Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS); in addition, areas of farmland 1ha (2½ acres) or more may be eligible for annual payments under the Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS). For an application pack, contact the Forest Service at Private Woodlands and Plant Health Branch, Room 23, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, BELFAST BT4 3SB. Telephone 028 9052 4466 / E-mail: grants@forestserviceni.gov.uk. Or for further information click on ‘Private Woodlands’ at www.forestserviceni.gov.uk.

1. An interview with a Forest Service Official and a local carpenter who works with broadleaf wood can be arranged.

2. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 4619.