Looking for some forestry help

soillover

Hi as the title says I'm looking for some help. Recently bought a piece of old broadleaf forest.

We had a guy to come look at forest (we sort of knew him through a causal friend) and he quoted us a price of 250 to come and give us a bit of an assessment of the place and if wanted a plan he could do one up and it would cost extra anyway fast forward two months and the deal is just gone through we contact him and he's actually just landed a gig in one of the heritage parks so is really busy then off on holidays for 3 weeks to the states so he doesn't have the time. He practises light foot forestry and that's kind how we want to mange the forest. So I contact a similar forester that does the same thing and he quotes me 500 for the day for just an assessment alone. I'm kind of shocked because even when I contacted fell they quoted me 600 for the assessment and the plan. I'm wondering would anybody here know if that's the right price? Or was the first guy we got giving us a cheaper friends rate?

We also have trees at the front of the forest that we are afraid might fall on the road that are kind of exposed and trees in the middle where a lot have been damaged and have fallen and so there's a gap in the middle which we are afraid our much too exposed to the wind, at the moment we are camping on the land to start clearing paths etc so we a little worried about where to place our tent etc. so we want to get this sorted as soon as by a forester as we don't want any damage to ourselves or the trees.

We are also wondering as the property had some trees taken down by the council during the winter last year. What happens in eventuality that we are not on site and a tree falls on the road? Do the council fine/bill us for them having to clear it?

Thanks in advance

redbeaard

Is it possible they're quoting you for a Forrest Management plan instead of just an unofficial assessment.

If you are getting grant aid then there is a requirement to get a registered qualified forester to do a Forest Management Plan at around year 10 of the plantation. I got one of these done a few years ago and it cost about €500, despite yer man barely getting out of his car, it was a standard rate. I was looking for advice on something else last year and I think I remember getting quoted around 150 for a visit. So just be sure they're not quoting you for an official Forest Management Plan.

Anyway, the best advice I can give you is to seek out your local woodland owners society or equivalent. Definitely the best place to get impartial advice. What part of the country are you in?

I don't think the council will fine of bill you for fallen trees (tbh I'm just guessing here) but do be aware that you can be held liable for damage caused so if a car were to crash into that fallen tree then you could be in a lot of trouble. Google "tree falls on road liability" and check out the Irish Examiner article, should be first hit. It's complicated. Seems to depend on the state of the trees so if a tree falls due to a winter storm then it's an act of nature and you're OK. If it falls in a summer breeze then it was obviously in bad health and your liable.

Good luck anyway, I wouldn't fancy camping under trees with the wind currently outside my house. I'm overlooking the Atlantic tough so I'm sure it's not as bad where ever ye are

TheBody

We have had Liam Kelly from Teagasc out a number of times over the years to have a walk through the forest.

He won't do up an official plan but he will offer his thoughts to you.

Best part is that is was free.