forest management charges

Forestry 101

Hi guys,
I currently own a small forest in limerick that's about 15 years old now and coming to 1st thinning age, mainly Sitka spruce with some ash at the front. it's directly beside a council road but I've yet to put in a forest road.
I was just wondering what charges are involved from other forestry companies for doing such work or how these guys get paid?
im aware there is a road grant available but will there be further costs on top of this? when the thinning is done how much do I have to pay the management company?

I've been to a few forest talks and things over the years but wanted to know what other people are being charged so I don't get done through the nose as these fees are never advertised anywhere.

fergus1001

First I'd have a forester come out to assess the forest to see if it's fit for thinning, then I'd have a look at the entrance to see if planning permission will have to be sought a road oversight on a per meter rate will apply here this would cover the application process and overseeing the actual construction of the road,

in terms of charges you are talking two ways of charging for management/marketing

1. A price per tonne this depends on the company

2. A price per hectare, this is better as the forester/company are independent of the volume of timber that is extracted ensuring that there is no temptation to over thin the forest

Hope this helps !

accidental forester

If your relationship is good with the company that put the plantation in originally, that might be your first stop. Any of the main forestry companies will come out on spec to look over your requirements. It's in their interest as they may get the project. The other alternative is to hire the local Registered Forester to come out. (See Teagasc website for list.) I'd recommend this as they are impartial and can advise you on roads, thinning and other aspects. This may be the best approach as he has nothing to gain by going forward. Some plantations, at even at 15 years, may be too unstable for systematic thinning. Thinning has to commence within two years to qualify for the grant.

The grants should cover most if not all of the costs of the actual roading. If there is no pre-existing entrance, planning permission or at the very least a waiver from the Planning Office is required. This has to be in place before the application goes in so may not be covered by the grant.

The Forest Roads Manual is 170 pages long and covers every detail. The requirement is for a very substantial road complete with bellmouth, turnouts, drains, etc. There is one piece of fine print worth noting in that by accepting the roading grant you must make the forest open to the public (with a few exceptions). There is a shorter document called Roadscheme070212.pdf that has most of the highlights.

Our plantation had two pre-existing entrances. We had a local contractor improve the two tracks for a total of 200 meters at a cost of about 10.00 per meter. Fortunately he could quarry the required stone on site which brought about a considerable savings. Our road is not at all up to Forest Service spec but is sufficient for our requirements at the moment. Also note that you have to have Forest Service permission to put a road into a grant aided plantation. We went out on a limb (so to speak) based on the fact that we were "improving" roads that date back to well before the plantation went in and didn't require the felling of any trees.