Teagasc’s “Your Tree Planting Companion”
RECENTLY Teagasc published a 64-page, colour booklet and guide to tree planting titled ‘Your Tree Planting Companion’ authored by Steven Meyen, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer. The new publication is a valuable booklet to have for anyone planning to plant one tree or to start a forest.
A single tree correctly chosen, correctly planted and correctly looked after can give many years of enjoyment to both the members of a household and the people around them. A forest not only provides income for farmers and landowners, but it has significant benefits for society in that it helps to restore biodiversity and fights climate change.
Considering these benefits, attractive government grants and premiums are available under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 together with a longer premium term extending to 20 years for farmers, compared to 15 years for non-farmers. The programme provides incentives for farmers and other landowners to plant trees and to diversify their income streams. The Department covers 100% of the costs to establish the forest, and all payments and earnings are income tax free.
The booklet features a tree selector table to help choose the most suitable tree for the soil it is to be planted in and for the size to suit the site in question. Once the correct species is chosen it explains how to plant trees and how to look after them to ensure successful and strong growth.
The new booklet was launched by Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. At the launch the Minister said: “Planting trees is one of the most effective ways of mitigating climate change, as well as contributing to improved biodiversity and water quality. This clear and practical guide is an important resource for all landowners, and I would encourage anybody interested in planting to pick one up no matter how big or small your planting ambitions are.”
This new booklet is available from your local Teagasc Forestry Advisor, or can be downloaded from the forestry section of the Teagasc website at https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/crops/ forestry/advice/Your-tree-planting-companion.pdf. Teagasc Forestry Advisors are available to support landowners and to provide advice on all forestry-related issues.