Pruning Ash

lucky john

I planted 20 acres up on 7 years ago. 3 or 4 of ash. As its most likely going to end up as fire wood is there any need to prune it?

If yes, where could I find info on when and how to do this myself?

Rovi

The conventional wisdom appears to be that pruning PCTs (Potential Crop Trees) is very worthwhile, but that'd be in a plantation being managed to produce a sawlog crop in due course.
In a crop destined to be firewood, it wouldn't be cost effective to be paying someone to do it.
Pruning your trees is something of a therapeutic exercise though, and it would certainly make the wood much easier to walk through and inspect. It also puts you into close contact with your trees and will make you very familiar with the health and growth status of your crop.
It'd be NICE to have it done, but you'd probably need to be doing it yourself and treating it as a 'leisure time' activity.

There was a Teagasc field day in an Ash plantation near Kilkenny TODAY, so you've unfortunately missed that
Keep an eye on the Teagasc Forestry Events Diary page for future similar events.

Your Teagasc advisor will be able to put you in contact with their forestry people, if you want to pursue that option.

lucky john

Thanks for the reply Rovi

I must keep an eye out for the next demo or open day. I would'nt mind learning the proper way to prune. If I thought it would improve the crop and add value I would definately give it a go.

ford2600

Your crop is only 7 years old, you don't need to prune yet.

If your crop suffered frost damage, in last year or two then formative shaping maybe needed. The leader bud gets burnt with a late frost and forks, if you don't correct all you will have is firewood.

Most of your trees won't make final harvest or the last thinning when the valuable trees remain. My ash is 17 yrs old and at 33%-40% are gone during initial tending.

At initial tending stage, when canopy closes (year 12-14 with me) you need to identify Potential Final Crop trees and remove competitors around them. Remove diseased trees asap also.

Once your PFT are identifed, and you have time you could prune. Each cut is a potential for infection!

Manage your crop well, and the worst trees and braches, top and left over of good trees are firewood. The thinnings could be valuable hurley butts, furniture etc Final harvest should be very valuable sawlog.

All the best, check COFORD, teagasc, ITGWA websites for info on shaping, tending etc

lucky john wrote: »

Thanks for the reply Rovi

I must keep an eye out for the next demo or open day. I would'nt mind learning the proper way to prune. If I thought it would improve the crop and add value I would definately give it a go.