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Forestry Now

Dermot McNally

This podcast explores the forces impacting the profitable and sustainable management of commercial forests and natural woodlands. I speak with forest owners, forestry professionals and industry stakeholders on the biggest operational, environmental and economic challenges affecting the sector.
I interview people involved in the harvesting and processing side of the forestry business as well as those who are trying to maximise carbon sequestration and general ecosystem services.
I also investigate political and legislative changes that are coming down the track as well as highlight new technologies and big opportunities that are around the corner. Subscribe to Forestry Now with me Dermot McNally, to hear more.

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  • 24 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 44 min
  • English

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  • #25
    Tuesday · 54 min

    Deer Management in Ireland with Seppi Höna

    Today I speak with Regional Forest Inspector Seppi Höna about national efforts to address spiraling deer numbers in Ireland. We discuss the problems deer create in forestry and also what the scale of the problem is. Seppi explains how a national strategy group is providing direction for DMU's deer management units, which are now operational across the Republic of Ireland. We chat about whether we need more incentives to cull deer, about ethical and operational considerations relating to culled deer being left on the hill, as opposed to being recovered for venison. Finally, there are supports for deer protection in new forests, so we discuss these and other strategies forest owners can take to protect their trees. Seppi Höna is a Regional Forest Inspector and Forest Service Inspector at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Ireland. He has chaired key committees for the Irish Deer Management Strategy Group (IDMSG) and presented on the impact of deer in Irish forestry. This podcast is part of the Deep Dives series which is supported by the Irish Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. If you're thinking of planting a new forest or if you want information on financial and technical supports to manage your existing forest then go to http://gov.ie/forestryforyou Key Points: Deer damage is on the rise, as evidenced by the National Forest Inventory. In 2022, 36% of sample plots exhibited some level of deer damage, a notable increase from previous years. Deer impact on Irish forestry and native woodlands Development and implementation of Ireland's deer management units Public perception and stakeholder engagement in deer culling The role of incentives and policies in deer population control Research and scientific advice guiding deer management strategies The importance of habitat assessment and landscape-level management Challenges of invasive deer species and non-native populations The potential for local venison markets and food sustainability Ethical considerations in deer culling and carcass management Future policy directions and stakeholder collaboration in Ireland Quotes: "Deer can damage all types of trees if at high levels." Levels of Deer Damage? "We know there's a negative trajectory there, even from our national inventory." Opposition to Culling? "Most responsible stakeholders want deer to be at sustainable levels... It's essential to cull deer to keep them at a healthy balance." Culling and leaving deer carcasses on the hill: "I can see absolutely a place for this. If you're in an a very remote area... that's completely acceptable. But I do have an issue if it's the case that deer are being shot close to access tracks from an ethical point of view and they're being left there because the deer can easily be brought to a cold store and brought into there to the the food chain". Developing a local market for venison: "We might move to a place where a local hunter could sell venison directly himself... at the minute the hunter can't" Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup Follow the Guest on: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seppi-h%C3%B6na-033b2075/ Seppi's Deer Impact Assessment Report as presented at the Society of Irish Foresters Field day: https://www.societyofirishforesters.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Deer-impact-assessment-SIF-fieldday.pdf Other Links of Note: Farm Relief Services Deer Management Programme: https://frscoop.ie/deer-management-programme-ireland/ Local DMU Case Study in Achill, Co Mayo: https://frscoop.ie/deer-management-achill-case-study/ Report of the Deer Management Strategy Group: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/report-of-the-deer-management-strategy-group/ Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on: Website: https://forestrynow.eu/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/ Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and overview of deer impact in Ireland 02:14 Seppi Hona's background and role in forestry and wildlife management 04:14 Findings from the National Forest Inventory on deer damage 06:06 Deer impact on different types of trees and forests 07:49 Stakeholder perspectives on deer population levels 09:51 Assessing deer health and population estimates 12:58 Irish Deer Management Strategy Group and its objectives 15:58 Deer management measures and public engagement 17:51 Deer management units and coordination efforts 19:59 Role of Farm Relief Services and deer culling infrastructure 21:58 Legal tools: open season and out-of-season licenses 23:49 Practical management: protecting new plantations from deer 26:02 Incentives for hunters and deer culling targets 27:52 Challenges and ethical considerations in deer culling 29:56 Market potential for venison and promoting local consumption 32:01 Invasive deer species and eradication challenges 34:05 European hunting culture and Ireland's unique position 35:57 Getting started with deer hunting in Ireland 38:01 Controversies: deer culling practices and ethics 40:14 Research and future studies on deer ecology 44:08 Summary and final thoughts on deer management in Ireland

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  • #24
    October 6 · 1 hr 5 min

    Enhancing Native and Broadleaf Forests with Paddy Purser

    Today I speak with forester Paddy Purser - Paddy was an early Irish advocate for continuous cover forestry (CCF) and a key figure in the establishment of Pro Silva Ireland who promote CCF's adoption. We speak about the enhancement of native and broadleaf forestry through timely and appropriate interventions and how this can lead to a wide range of commercial, silvicultural and biodiversity benefits. The Woodland Improvement Scheme grant assists owners of native and broadleaf forests to manage their forests and so we talk about how the scheme works and how it supports both a clearfell and a continuous cover management approach. And finally we briefly discuss a longer term vision Paddy has - to see Ireland once again covered in oak trees that are managed both for timber and ecological benefit. We don't specifically address grant payment rates as these can change intermittently but links to find out more can be found below. This podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. If you're thinking of planting a new forest or if you want information on financial and technical supports to manage your existing forest then go to http://gov.ie/forestryforyou Key Points: Paddy discusses the various types of broadleaf forests in Ireland, including ancient woodlands, old estate woodlands, and newly planted broadleaf forests. Each type has its unique management needs and ecological significance: Ancient Woodlands: These are continuous woodlands that have existed for centuries, often rich in biodiversity. Old Estate Woodlands: Typically mixed woodlands that were historically maintained for estate boundaries, some timber production and/or game rearing. Newly Planted Broadleaf Forests: These are often part of the Government supported afforestation programs, with a growing emphasis on integrating broadleaf species into monoculture conifer plantations. Paddy identifies three primary motivations for landowners to engage in broadleaf management: Commercial Viability: Exploring the potential for timber production. Silvicultural Reasons: Improving stand development and forest health. Biodiversity: Enhancing ecological diversity within forest ecosystems. Paddy then explains how interventions to enhance standing timber from a commercial point of view must be taken at appropriate stages of development. Beyond formative shaping, Paddy explains how thinning racks are a prerequisite for almost everything that comes afterwards and he gives some examples of what that looks like. Quotes: "There has been a significant cultural shift in how forest owners perceive their broadleaves, moving towards a more management-oriented approach rather than seeing them as unproductive areas." "If you talk or run any poll on what kind of woodlands people want, they want native Irish forests." "Continuous cover forestry is defined by what it isn't rather than what it is. It's about creating a sustainable management approach that benefits both the forest and its biodiversity." "You can't retrofit quality at a late stage into broadleaves, it has to be instilled at the very beginning." "For thousands of years, oak was our main commercial species. in the last hundred years it hasn't been. But I would say there i it is highly likely that it will become our main commercial species again." Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup Follow the Guest on: Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paddy-purser-69996914/ Other Links of Note: Pro Silva Ireland on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pro-silva-ireland/posts/?feedView=all Pro Silva Ireland on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProSilvaIreland The Woodland Improvement Scheme: https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/woodland-improvement-scheme-2023-2027/ Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on: Website: https://forestrynow.eu/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/ Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/ Chapters: 00:00 Show introduction 01:04 Paddy Purser speaks about his career and interest in continuous cover forestry 04:25 The different types of broadleaf woodland in Ireland 08:51 Why broadleaf woodlands need active management 11:46 Thinning for commercial, silvicultural and biodiversity benefits 16:53 Growing high-value timber from the best trees 22:22 Developing quality, stability and resilience through thinning 28:10 Ground flora, water management and biodiversity 30:38 The importance of deadwood for woodland biodiversity 36:22 Formative shaping, inspection paths and coppicing 44:49 The Woodland Improvement Scheme and broadleaf thinning grants 49:15 Continuous cover forestry and managing woodland over the long term 57:58 Enrichment planting and developing diverse woodlands 01:02:01 The future of Irish oak and the next generation of broadleaf forests

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  • #23
    September 29 · 52 min

    Native Woodlands in Transition with Kate Harrington

    Native Woodlands in Transition with Kate Harrington In this podcast I speak with experienced ecologist Dr Kate Harrington about her recently published research into native woodlands primarily planted in the last twenty years. We know that native woodlands benefit nature but today Kate and I discuss exactly what that looks like in these forests. Kate carried out extensive field research which revealed subtle but critical changes to specific pollinator species and other indicators as the woodlands aged - given the vast range of other variables on every site this proved hugely significant as a gauge of woodland development. We speak a little about the where and why these forests were planted, about how they interact with the farming landscapes they often exist in, about the edge effect, and we also touch on a few simple measures a forest owner can take to maximise personal enjoyment and nature enhancement. This podcast is part of the Deep Dives series which is kindly supported by the Irish Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. If you're thinking of planting a new forest or if you want information on financial and technical supports to manage your existing forest then go to http://gov.ie/forestryforyou Key Points: Native woodland species and their ecological roles Biodiversity monitoring methods in young forests Pollinator communities and their response to woodland age Landowner motivations and land management practices Natural colonization and forest regeneration strategies Landscape-level conservation planning and incentives Quotes: "Monitoring bees gives a quick grasp of woodland development." "It became abundantly obvious as soon as I walked into these sites there are so many variables... trying to capture all of that was quite difficult." "You do get a bit depressed as an ecologist with all the bad news but I think this is a good news story." Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup Follow the Guest on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harringtonkm/ New Study Reveals How Ireland’s Young Woodlands Are Quietly Shaping the Future for Pollinators https://www.tcd.ie/e3/news/new-study-reveals-how-irelands-young-woodlands-are-quietly-shaping-the-future-for-pollinators/ Are New Woodlands Good for Nature? https://pollinators.ie/are-new-woodlands-good-for-nature/ Farmers are Key to Restoring Nature: https://theconversation.com/farmers-are-key-to-restoring-native-woodlands-heres-whats-holding-them-back-279498 Kates work and research was heavily influenced by Professor Jane Stout. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-stout-8269401b/ Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on: Website: https://forestrynow.eu/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/ Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to native woodlands research in Ireland 01:00 Research focus and motivation for the PhD 02:58 Methodology: Site selection and data collection 06:48 Types of forests studied and age ranges 17:04 Biodiversity measurement and pollinator focus 21:46 Pollinator community changes with forest age 26:03 Indicators: Bees versus hoverflies 33:01 Natural colonization and ground flora changes 41:58 Landowner motivations and management practices 49:05 Personal experiences and observations in the field 51:47 Implications for policy and future research

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  • #22
    September 22 · 51 min

    Broadleaf Planting in Ireland with Colm Gilheaney

    In this interview I'm joined by Colm Gilheaney, Establishment Manager at Western Forestry Co-Op. We discuss everything you need to know if you're considering planting a new broadleaf forest in Ireland. Colm gives me an overview of the Irish Government forestry programme, what it pays for and for how long. Farmland that is considered for planting is always surveyed and Colm explains how this feed into the type of forest the owner applies for. The Irish Forestry Programme supports 7 distinct broadleaf forest types and Colm highlights the crucial aspects of each and which might be best suited for the land in question. Finally we talk through the application process itself, who manages the planting, the maintenance and everything in between. Colm Gilheaney is the Establishment Manager at Western Forestry Co-Op. He joined Western Forestry Co-op in 2015 and is based in the Sligo office managing the afforestation team and projects predominantly in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Donegal, Cavan, Longford, Monaghan. Colm is a technical member of the Society of Irish Foresters and a Native Woodland Scheme accredited Forester. This podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. If you're thinking of planting a new forest or if you want information on financial and technical supports to manage your existing forest then go to http://gov.ie/forestryforyou Key Points: Broadleaf forest planting schemes and available grants Site assessment and matching tree species to soils Native woodland types and species selection Management and maintenance of forests Planting arrangements and clustering key species Challenges like deer and hare in forest establishment Quotes: "Don't make any real rash decisions on what you're gonna do with your land, you know, because it's a big decision." "There are attractive grants for the establishment of the forest, there's grants for the fencing of the forest, and then there's a yearly premium which goes to the landowner every year after that." "Up to twenty thousand euro per hectare over twenty years" "FT 1 is your different native mixes based on the native woodland framework and it's based on the soil.... Matching trees to soil is crucial for success" "Invert mounding is where you actually turn the sod and put it back in where it was effectively... it's a weed-free piece of soil for the plant to have a start in in life". Why plant in straight lines? "I suppose, if you're related to the machine that's trying to create the planting position, if you're doing the planting, the maintenance, like you know, when vegetation comes on and you maybe struggling to see the tree, you know that they're a straight line in front of you, whereas if they're small and they're all over the place, it can be impossible to find them. In relation to thinning out and pruning, it just makes it actually easier and possible to work on the forest in its early stage." As regards Forest Type 2 Woodlands for Water: "What it's doing really is incentivizing land to be planted as a native woodland close to rivers, you know, which then will protect them in the long course, you know." "Enjoy your forest and get involved in its management." Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup Follow the Guest on: Colm at Western: https://westernforestrycoop.ie/our-staff/colm-gilheaney/ Other Links of Note: Teagasc Guide to Afforestation Forest Types, Rates and Rules: https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/ Western Forestry Co-Op on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DbsjF8eIT6b/ on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/western-forestry-co-op/ on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westernforestrycoop.ie/ Society of Irish Foresters: https://www.societyofirishforesters.ie/ Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on: Website: https://forestrynow.eu/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/ Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/

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  • #21
    September 15 · 1 hr

    Afforestation: Now and Then with Marina Conway

    Afforestation: Now and Then with Marina Conway. A deep dive into how we screen all new afforestation applications in Ireland and how this process compares with the process in the past. In this interview I'm joined by Marina Conway, Head of Woodlands at Hometree and one of Ireland's most recognisable and respected forestry professionals. We speak about the afforestation screening process and the type of habitats and landscape features they protect, we hone in on water quality and the treatment of applications on peaty soils and from hen harrier areas. Then we also talk about modern operation techniques that are used during planting to protect water and biodiversity. During the conversation we look at how things were done in the past and Marina flags problems we're still dealing with. And then we look forward and Marina makes interesting recommendations to increase afforestation and stakeholder engagement. Marina is a qualified forester and is currently Head of Woodlands at Hometree. She is also a Nuffield Scholar, former CEO of Western Forestry. She also worked internationally in Government in New Zealand on Forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme. She has spent the majority of her career in farm forestry, her passion is for farmers, farm families and communities being at the centre of our national forestry policy and that our forests are best served in local and rural ownership. She is especially proud of leading on Ireland’s first Woodland Festival, largest Native Woodland Park and first pioneer birch woodland. She has participated in national committees on forestry including appointed by the Minister to Project Woodland. Marina has a Degree and Masters in Agricultural Science (Forestry), qualifications in Environmental Auditing, Training and Water Pollution Control and is a 2025 Nuffield Scholar. This podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. If you're thinking of planting a new forest or if you want information on financial and technical supports to manage your existing forest then go to http://gov.ie/forestryforyou Key Points: Environmental assessment processes for afforestation in Ireland Protection of water and biodiversity in land management Native woodland restoration and ecological connectivity Community engagement and public support for forestry Challenges with peat soils and carbon balance Future strategies for sustainable land use including - increased community engagement and reconsidering peat depths which can be planted. Quotes: "We have a lot of ambition in this country for forestry." "Young spruce provides nesting habitat for hen harriers." "Rewetting peatlands can be a part of our climate strategy." "The state got it right in saying we need to become self-sufficient in timber in our own country." Time to reconsider planting deeper peats? "Absolutely...it's carbon reasons that the thirty centimetre came in and it's a little bit arbitrary. I mean I don't know how much you know I think there is there is research going on now to to look into that a little bit more because it's forty centimetres in England, it's fifty centimetres in Scotland.." "One of the things that that always frustrates me a little bit about the appropriate assessment screening process that is required under the Habitats Directive is that it doesn't take any cognizance of existing land use.... we can go in and do a two-year study on converting 40 acres into a native woodland. And I'm not joking, applications can take two or three years to be done. Yet the existing landowner can continue to farm that land, to spray rushes, to put on fertilizers, to dose their sheep, to, you know, to you know drain it." Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup Follow the Guest on: Marina Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-conway-01670312/ Marina at Hometree: https://www.hometree.ie/about Project Woodland Report: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/project-woodland-final-report-january-2023.pdf Other Links of Note: New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme: https://environment.govt.nz/what-government-is-doing/areas-of-work/climate-change/ets/ Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on: Website: https://forestrynow.eu/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/ Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/ (00:00) - Dermot introduces todays guest (01:04) - Introducing Marina Conway and her forestry career (02:24) - How the afforestation screening process works (05:10) - Natura sites, water quality and environmental safeguards (09:14) - Water setbacks, drainage and protecting waterways (11:20) - Peat soils, carbon and the legacy of past planting (14:34) - Protecting birds, habitats and high-nature-value farmland (18:44) - How forestry rules have changed over the years (21:20) - The environmental legacy of planting deep peat (26:30) - Modern forestry: less fertiliser and better planting techniques (29:09) - Hen harriers and the changing forestry landscape (32:21) - Replanting, continuous cover forestry and forest-to-bog conversion (39:10) - Biodiversity areas, riparian woodland and protecting water (43:54) - Forestry and the local community (46:59) - How can Ireland plant more forests? (54:14) - Finding the balance between environmental protection and forestry (56:05) - Should deeper peat soils be considered for forestry? (58:46) - A more holistic approach to land management (59:29) - Conclusion 00:00 Dermot introduces todays guest 01:04 Introducing Marina Conway and her forestry career 02:24 How the afforestation screening process works 05:10 Natura sites, water quality and environmental safeguards 09:14 Water setbacks, drainage and protecting waterways 11:20 Peat soils, carbon and the legacy of past planting 14:34 Protecting birds, habitats and high-nature-value farmland 18:44 How forestry rules have changed over the years 21:20 The environmental legacy of planting deep peat 26:30 Modern forestry: less fertiliser and better planting techniques 29:09 Hen harriers and the changing forestry landscape 32:21 Replanting, continuous cover forestry and forest-to-bog conversion 39:10 Biodiversity areas, riparian woodland and protecting water 43:54 Forestry and the local community 46:59 How can Ireland plant more forests?...

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  • #20
    September 8 · 5 min

    Season Two Preview

    Public interest and support for new forestry in Ireland has never been higher. And so in this Season Two Preview I give an overview of the three broad questions I'll be addressing in the twelve upcoming episodes of the Forestry Now podcast. 1) How do we plant and manage forests well? 2) How can forests deliver for nature and biodiversity? And 3) How do we produce the timber we need while making sure forestry works within the wider rural landscape? So, whether you’re already managing a forest, thinking about planting one, or just interested in what's happening in the woods around you, I hope you’ll join me in the coming weeks and months. Season Two of the podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. If you're thinking of planting a new forest or if you want information on financial and technical supports to manage your existing forest then go to http://gov.ie/forestryforyou Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on: Website: https://forestrynow.eu/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/ Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/

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  • #19
    July 6 · 7 min

    Season One Review

    End of Season One Review! Two things on the agenda today - firstly a short bit of housekeeping about the summer break. And secondly for those who are brand new or recent listeners this podcast includes a brief overview of big takeaways since I launched the show. Firstly the housekeeping - just to say that there’ll be no new episodes of the podcast until September 2026. This will give me a chance to catch up on managing my own forests and to plan for the next season of interviews - so make sure you’re subscribed and you’ll be notified of the newest episodes once they release. And also, if you haven’t already liked or rated the podcast please be a legend and do so. Thank you. Now a few of the main takeaways from Season One of the podcast. Half of my guests to date are forest owners who also work in the sector so that gives them an extra perspective. The big take away is simply that it pays to spend time in your forest so you can get the most from it - be that timber, nature enhancement, or simply for your own pleasure and enjoyment. Two great interviews that typify this are with Olive Leavy (Resilient Family Forests - CCF in Westmeath) and another with Sean O Conluain (Who Dares Wins - Transformation of Sitka Spruce to Continuous Cover Forestry) who both describe their experiences using Continuous Cover Forestry Principles. Another forest owner, Brendan Guinan (Farming in an Irish Forest) spoke to me about his approach to agroforestry in an established plantation and that's a great episode for anyone who wants to combine timber and food outputs from their forest. Two powerful storms hit Ireland in Dec 24 and January 25 and in Falling Timber, Falling Prices - I spoke with Victor Barber from Western Forestry. This episode was a great overview of the huge challenges the Irish sector has been facing cleaning up three years of harvest. If there's a lesson here for me it’s that owners of semi mature forests should get roads in early and try to have a valid felling licence on hand just in case disaster strikes in the future. Forestry can sometimes come in for bad press but there's clearly been huge improvements in environmental standards in Ireland since the 1990s when timber maximisation was the norm - listen to my interview with Paul Lafferty in Afforestation in the 1990's.. for a taste of what it was like back then and because Paul is an auctioneer specialising in forest we discuss what forests are selling for today. There’s lots of good news stories - Alan McCabe in Farm Forestry, the IFA Forestry Committee.. explained how efforts are underway to remove conifers that are spreading on blanket bogs and how Ireland’s peat bogs are slowly being rewet which is good for carbon capture and for the catchments they sit above. Lots also to be cheerful about in Community and Conservation in terms of Hometrees work at a landscape level, maximising state and local landowner engagement to deliver environmental and societal benefits - Ray O Foghlu was my guest there. Also for a whistlestop 500 year history of native woodlands in Ireland have a listen to my conversation with Joe Gowran from Woodlands of Ireland. Joe is an absolute expert on all things native woodland planting and management. That's in Irelands Native Woodlands. If you’re interested in what happens after the forest gate then listen to my second conversation with John Sherlock: that episode is called - Firewood, Bespoke Timber Products, and Small-Scale Sawmilling - we discuss how his firewood business got started and has evolved into sawmilling and bespoke manufacture. My first interview with John was about his own forest and the activities of the North East Forestry Group who are supporting small farm forest owners make the most of their woodlands. More recently in Biomass, Renewable Heat and Nuffield 2026, Kenny McCauley, Leitrim business owner, told me everything about what it takes to run a biomass business and how his product is fueling Ireland's renewable heat market. Farming Advisors are a critical part of the afforestation story in Ireland as they are often the first point of contact for landowners thinking of planting trees. That’s why I spoke to Andy Dunne Farm Advisor who joined me for Where Farming Meets Forestry. Andy perspective is unique and he has many examples of how Ireland’s restrictive and rigid afforestation licencing process can lead to unintended negative consequences. Equally insightful was my chat with Dr Zhu who recently completed groundbreaking research which we discuss in detail in: Barriers to Afforestation in Ireland. This interview is an absolute must for anyone interested in why Ireland can’t plant enough new forests. Then for forest owners who have a timber crop coming to market it could be time to think about certifying your forest under FSC or PEFC systems. In IPlan and Certification for Forest Owners Kathleen Lucey from the IFO joined me to explain how group certification works in Ireland. I went international with some guests. In an episode titled How Forestry Lost the PR Battle, Peter Hashulo a HUngarian forest engineer and industry analyst explained in simple terms how the forestry sector failed to communicate its sustainability credentials and how that has lead to public confusion surrounding sustainable timber harvesting. The contrast to that episode was my conversation with Douglas MacMillan who joined me for "Reimagining Scottish Forestry". Douglas delivers a sharp critique of corporate monoculture conifer plantations which he says dominates Scotland's rural landscape and he advocates for a range of changes that he says will spread the benefits of forestry more widely. That episode has led to some industry pushback and my plan is to do an interview to tell the other side of the story. Finally my most recent episode was with Eeva Lisa Heinaro who joined me in "Carbon Markets for Forest Owners". She explains in simple and accessible terms the background to emerging carbon markets and what forest owners who want to sell carbon credits need to be aware of. So it was a busy and interesting first season. Lots to catch up on here if you’re just finding the podcast. I’ll be back as I say in September 2026, until then take care and get into the woods. Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on: Website: https://forestrynow.eu/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/ Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/ Chapters:

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  • #18
    June 22 · 41 min

    Carbon Markets for Forest Owners with Eeva-Liisa Heinaro

    Today I speak with Eeva-Liisa Heinaro from Finland. She spent decades working in the paper industry before moving into Carbon Lab (as COO) who help businesses manage and monetize carbon sequestration and ecological compensation projects. Carbon Lab are very well placed to deliver this service because they are a subsidiary of Conifer Consulting who manage more than 135,000 hectares of Finnish forestry for institutional investors. In this interview Eeva-Liisa explains a little about her background and the forestry sector in Finland. We then move on to discuss whats happening in carbon markets and she explains how the institutional architecture around carbon recording, transparency, integrity and pricing are being rebuilt for the future and what that means for forest owners. Special Acknowledgement to Peter Hasulyó of the Forestry Brief (and former guest on the podcast) for his detailed written analysis of all aspects of carbon markets and who credits Eeva Liisa as a critical source in his own research. For topical and insightful analysis of European and Worldwide forest markets go to: https://forestrybrief.com/ Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup Key Points: Eeva-Liisa's role as COO at Carbon Lab and working with both forest owners and carbon credit buyers. An overview of the Finnish forestry industry - 75% forestry with a substantial amount planted on peaty soils and 600,000 forest owners of different sizes! Previously, the carbon market was viewed as unregulated and opportunistic, leading to distrust among buyers. Recent changes to improve carbon market regulation and transparency are leading to increased investor confidence which in turn gives European carbon projects a competitive edge over initiatives in less regulated countries. Understanding where PEFC and FSC certification fit into forest carbon projects. The interaction between certification systems like Verra, Gold Standard and EU frameworks. Understanding measured additionality, financial additionality and the voluntary nature of eligible additionality. Understanding longevity and permanence in carbon sequestration projects. Challenges inherent to peatland forestry and possibilities offered by "ecological compensation" projects. Things to consider if starting on a carbon certification project. Quotes: "Additionality is one of the two really core concepts when we talk about carbon projects. The other one is permanence." "The forest certification is actually a requirement in the carbon certification systems... your forest ....has to be certified by FSC or PFC." Carbon certification... "is a big commitment and money-wise it can get very expensive.." "The risks involved with peatlands is really that you cause more more negatives than positives with your carbon project, with the soil emissions." Follow the Guest on: Eeva-Liisa Heinaro on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eeva-liisa-heinaro/ Carbon Lab: https://carbonlab.fi/ Conifer Consulting: https://conifer.fi/en/ Other Links of Note: The Finnish Forestry: https://www.metsakeskus.fi/en/about-us/the-finnish-forest-centre Gold Standard Forest Carbon: https://www.goldstandard.org/ VERRA Forest Carbon Standards: https://verra.org/ The EU's Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Regulations https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/carbon-removals-and-carbon-farming/carbon-removals-and-carbon-farming-crcf-regulation_en Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on: Website: https://forestrynow.eu/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/ Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to Forestry Now & Carbon Lab 00:01:18 Eeva-Liisa’s Background & Carbon Lab's Focus 00:02:59 Snapshot of the Finnish Forestry Sector 00:05:23 Forest Data, Regulation & Certification in Finland 00:08:32 Building Trust in European Carbon Markets 00:12:31 The Competitive Advantage of European Carbon Projects 00:14:09 Intersecting Certifications: Timber vs. Carbon 00:16:51 Unpacking "Additionality" in Carbon Projects 00:21:50 The Concept of "Permanence" & Credit Pricing 00:24:45 The Cost of Entry for Forest Owners 00:28:36 The Peatland Dilemma 00:31:30 How Forest Owners Can Get Started 00:34:00 Timelines for Reaching the Carbon Market 00:35:10 Protecting Investments Against Acts of Nature 00:37:25 Future Trends: Ecological Compensation 00:39:14 Balancing Carbon, Ecology, and the Timber Industry

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  • #17
    June 8 · 55 min

    Reimagining Scottish Forestry with Douglas MacMillan

    Today I speak to Douglas MacMillan who shares his analysis and criticisms of the current forestry model in Scotland - Douglas worked in the industry in the 1980's before moving into research related to forestry and sustainable land use systems. In this conversation Douglas explains the historical background to afforestation in Scotland, current ownership, species selection, management techniques and ultimately who he says benefits from the status quo. Douglas gives his views on where Government policy and financial support structures are actually compounding the problems he sees. He also questions the wisdom of replanting Sitka Spruce on marginal sites and this leads onto broader ideas about how Scottish forestry could adapt to benefit the wider community and the environment more broadly. Key Points: Sitka Spruce dominates Scottish Forestry in terms of planting and processing. The benefits of forestry are often concentrated in urban and peri urban areas, leaving little immediate benefit for rural communities (who host the plantations). Tourism in the Highlands could be enhanced by replacing the clearfell and replant model of forestry with more native woodlands. There is a need for more diversity in forestry in terms of species selection and supports for small scale sawmills and processors. A combination of low yield class and high wind throw risk render some highland plantations uneconomical - these sites offer great potential for rewilding. Moving forestry "down the hill" into the Scottish lowlands offers opportunities for more diverse species, integration of farming and forestry and improved silvicultural techniques. Quotes: "Why are we talking about yield class when we should be talking about meeting societal demand." "I'm not saying you don't need the big mills, I'm saying you don't have anything else only the big mills." "The benefits are shipped out to mills in urban areas." "Forestry was traditionally owned by the laird, not farmers." "Sitka is actually a beautiful tree - if it grows to 120 years, not when it's a spotty teenager at 40!" "The Government needs to take the bull by the horns and say we need a different kind of policy." "We have to take account of inequities and social disconnect between where the benefits are and where the costs are." Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup Scottish Forestry: https://www.forestry.gov.scot/ Tilhill Forestry: https://www.tilhill.com/ The Scottish Rewilding Alliance: https://www.rewild.scot/ Follow the Guest on: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-macmillan-440319202/?skipRedirect=true Inconvenient truths about Sikta Spruce: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7437119413868445696/ A timber processing strategy for the Uplands: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7450583561277149185/ The John Muir Trust: https://www.johnmuirtrust.org/ Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on: Website: https://forestrynow.eu/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/ Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Forestry in Scotland 01:33 Historical Context of Afforestation 05:00 Species Selection and Management Techniques 08:09 Current Ownership and Structure of Forestry 10:08 The Role of Small Forest Owners 13:10 Global Context and Economic Challenges 14:21 Profitability and Public Subsidies 18:25 Disadvantages of the Current Forestry Model 22:24 Impact on Tourism and Community Engagement 27:19 The Future of Timber Processing in Scotland 31:15 Challenges in Forestry Grant Systems 36:59 Reassessing Replanting Strategies 45:10 Envisioning a Sustainable Future for Scottish Forestry 49:44 Bringing Forestry Down the Hill

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  • #16
    May 25 · 54 min

    IPlan and Certification for Forest Owners with Kathleen Lucey

    Today I speak with Kathleen Lucey who works with the Irish Forest Owners. The IFO support and represent forest owners across Ireland through a vibrant producer group network. In this interview we focus on Kathleen's role as Group Certification Manager at the IFO. We discuss the background to getting a forest certified under FSC and PEFC, the benefits, the costs, the ongoing management requirements, the Irish Governments new IPLAN system and everything in between. Key Points: The new I-Plan system - a game changer for private forest management in Ireland. Steps in creating a management plan. Forest certification standards (FSC and PEFC). Benefits and costs of group certification for private owners. Group certification scheme advantages. Scenarios to consider for forest owners. Quotes: "The I-Plan standardises forest management plans" On the I-Plan Grant for Forest Management Plans: "it will go a long way towards covering the cost of your forester producing that. So that's been a game changer." "Stakeholder engagement is a key part of the process" Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup Follow the Guest on: Kathleen Lucey on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-lucey-015780b/ Website of the Irish Forest Owners https://irishforestowners.com/ Certification at the IFO: https://irishforestowners.com/resource/certification/ Details on the IPLAN scheme https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/iplan-scheme/ FSC - Forest Stewardship Council - https://fsc.org/en PEFC - Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification https://www.pefc.org/ The Pilot Study on Group Certification in Ireland https://www.groupcertification.ie/ Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on: Website: https://forestrynow.eu/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/ Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/ Chapters:

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  • #15
    May 11 · 52 min

    Biomass, Renewable Heat and Nuffield 2026 with Kenny McCauley

    Today I speak with Kenny McCauley from McCauley Wood Fuels Ltd who are based near Mohill in Co Leitrim. The business processes around 500 tonnes of wood biomass weekly to create high quality, moisture controlled wood chip. In this conversation Kenny explains how his business works, how biomass forms a vital cog in the Irish forestry supply chain, how wood chip is replacing fossil fuels across Ireland and how Leitrim can be a centre of excellence for balanced forestry. He also details the processing system he uses including the machinery and technology involved. Finally Kenny has recently started on his journey as a Nuffield Scholar for 2026. So we discuss what Nuffield involves and his study topic itself which is: “Mobilising rural biomass: unlocking renewable heat, carbon storage and bioeconomy value from farm forest resources.” Key Points: Firewood to biomass - transitioning his business and partnership with Arigna Fuels Partnerships with suppliers and early customers proved critical in enabling the business to grow. Quality control of both inward raw materials and finished product remains key. Biomass is a cost effective source of heating for large users such as poultry, pig, and mushroom farms, as well as hotels. Leitrim's potential as an economic driver through a balanced forestry model. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland offer the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat which aids large users transition away from fossil fuels. Kenny's journey with Nuffield will give him an opportunity to understand best practice worldwide and emerging opportunities. Quotes: Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup Follow the Guest on: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennymccauley/ McCauley Wood Fuels Ltd: https://www.facebook.com/McCauleyWoodFuels/ Nuffield Ireland: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuffield-ireland/ Kennys profile on Nuffield: https://nuffield.ie/scholar/kenny-mccauley/ Wood Fuel Quality Assurance: https://www.wfqa.org/ Irish BioEnergy Association: https://irbea.org/ Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SEAI): https://www.seai.ie/grants/business-grants/support-scheme-renewable-heat Arigna Fuels: https://arignafuels.ie/ Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on: Website: https://forestrynow.eu/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/ Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/ Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:07 - Transitioning from the firewood business to biomass wood chip production. 00:04:02 - Target markets including the agri-sector, poultry, and hotels. 00:07:04 - Managing target moisture content and the shift to mechanical drying. 00:10:09 - The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) and comparing fuel costs. 00:12:45 - Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme (WFQA) certification and sustainability audits. 00:16:53 - Raw material sourcing and mixing different timber species like Sitka spruce. 00:19:44 - Load contamination and the air-drying performance of straight versus crooked wood. 00:23:43 - Yard storage constraints, logistics, and processing material on forest sites. 00:29:18 - Timing the mechanical drying process to match boiler fuel demand. 00:32:35 - Using an internal biomass boiler to reduce mechanical drying energy costs. 00:34:53 - Transport logistics and the delivery radius for dry wood chip versus fresh pulp. 00:36:46 - Capacity bottlenecks, processing speeds, and future business growth. 00:40:02 - Kenny's Nuffield Scholarship on mobilizing forest biomass and the rural economy.

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  • #14
    April 27 · 35 min

    Ireland's Native Woodlands with Joe Gowran

    In this conversation I speak with Joe Gowran from Woodlands of Ireland about our native forests - Joe has a deep understanding of the history, ecology and management of these woodlands and so we touch on all of this. We discuss positive initiatives to expand and protect these woodlands as well as regulatory hurdles and contradictions that are preventing more progress. Lastly Joe gives me an overview of the training initiatives Woodlands of Ireland are involved in to improve forestry education for the future. Key Points: Ecosystem services provided by native woodlands Threats to native woodlands: deer, invasive species, land use change Management practices for biodiversity and carbon storage Historical land use and deforestation patterns Native woodland management and ecosystem services Policy contradictions and land use conflicts Training and capacity building in forestry Native woodland conservation schemes and funding Quotes: "Land use impacts water quality and ecosystem health..." "Land clearance increased during the Cromwellian era..." "Active management is essential for woodland health..." The ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Sponsor Link: www.forestsales.ie Links: Woodlands of Ireland: https://www.woodlandsofireland.com/ Joe Gowran on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-gowran-55126a154/ Native Forest Funding Schemes in Ireland: https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/native-forest-framework/ The Native Woodland Conservation Scheme: https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/native-woodland-conservation-scheme-2023-2027/ A Guide to Native Riparian Woodlands - https://www.woodlandsofireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/No.-4-Riparian-Woodlands.pdf Irish Forestry Programme Mid Term Review - https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/e8b56d54/Mid-Term_Review_of_the_Forestry_Programme_2023-2027.pdf Inland Fisheries Ireland - https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/ Sponsorship. A final thanks to Paul at forestSales.ie for his sponsorship of the podcast and for agreeing to be one of my earliest guests. If you're interested in sponsoring the podcast please do get in touch. Forestry Now has listeners in over 50 countries and is available on all the main podcast platforms. It's also promoted using short video clips on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram allowing advertisers to maximise the opportunities for exposure. Single episode, series and guest sponsorship options are available. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:10 - The ecological importance of native woodlands. 00:03:04 - Correlation between woodland age, management and structural diversity. 00:05:04 - A historical deforstation in Ireland. 00:09:38 - Ongoing threats to native woodlands. 00:13:28 - Native Woodland Conservation Scheme. 00:18:33 - Balancing planting setbacks along waterways. 00:20:46 - The scramble for land in Ireland. 00:23:38 - Getting grant aid for restoration planting. 00:26:35 - Pioneer species for nature restoration. 00:28:50 - The Native and Semi-Natural Woodland Operative Skills Training Pilot. 00:33:10 - Future forestry education.

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  • #13
    April 13 · 45 min

    Barriers to Afforestation in Ireland with Dr. Laqiqige Zhu.

    "I'd die for this piece of land. It’s ingrained in me so much. My DNA, our fields have all names and stories." Ireland is trying to increase it's forest cover from 12% but Irish farmers are very reluctant to plant their land. To understand why I speak with Dr. Laqiqige Zhu (Zhula) from Trinity College Dublin. She shares key findings from her extensive research into why Irish farmers hesitate to commit to afforestation, despite strong financial incentives. Drawing on her surveys and in-depth interviews with farmers, Zhula explains how Irish landowners aren't anti-forestry but that the state must do much more to convince farmers to plant. The discussion reveals insights into farming identity, community influence, loss of trust in the Forestry Service and why many farmers simply choose to “wait” rather than plant now. Zhula also shares grounds for optimism as many farmers express a strong desire to be involved in climate solutions, especially if payment for ecosystem services become available. Key Points: Farmers are making rational decisions within a system that currently rewards flexibility, certainty, and short-term returns over long-term environmental benefits. Forestry is seen as a permanent, restrictive, irreversibly land use. Long timeframes, policy changes, and financial risks add uncertainty. Alternative land uses like leasing offer more flexibility, control and short-term returns. Farmers want to be involved in the solutions and are keenly awaiting how carbon credits and payments for ecosystem services evolve. Quotes from Interviews with Farmers: "Land rental and the income from land rental is income tax exempt.... that’s actually killing forestry in a way." One farmer speaking about a new afforestation application - "They're afraid I'm going to plant at the road..... everyone objects, it's a kind of natural pastime for us here..." "The premium is not index-linked, so inflation reduces its value." Another farmer replied - "What you’re doing to the future generations is dictating to them that the land is in forestry." The ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Sponsor Link: www.forestsales.ie Links: Dr Laqiqige Zhu (Zhula) on Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/in/laqiqige-zhu-281602b5/ The Forest Multidisciplinary Project at TCD https://www.tcd.ie/trinityhaus/research-areas/climate-action-and-sustainability/forest/ Links to some of Zhula's research (co written by Martha O'Hagan-Luff). Valuing the Invaluable, a review of economic valuations of forest biodiversity https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221204162600015X Investigating barriers to afforestation in Ireland: Insights from a choice experiment survey https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389934125002667 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Forestry and Research Context 01:18 Understanding Farmers' Reluctance to Afforestation 03:22 Irreversibility: Farmers' Concerns and Perspectives 11:33 Uncertainty in Afforestation Decisions 20:31 Flexibility and Alternative Land Uses 27:41 Future Opportunities: Ecosystem Payments and Biodiversity 34:43 Policy Implications and Recommendations

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  • #12
    March 30 · 39 min

    How Forestry Lost the PR Battle with Peter Hasulyó

    In this episode, I speak with forestry engineer and analyst Peter Hasulyó about one of the sector’s biggest blind spots: communication. Despite decades of progress in sustainable forest management, the forestry industry has struggled to win public trust. Peter explains how a lack of proactive storytelling allowed others to shape the narrative—often inaccurately—leading to confusion between sustainable forestry and deforestation. The discussion explores why perception matters as much as practice, how NGOs filled the communication gap, and why forestry must rethink how it engages with the public. We also examine real-world consequences of this PR failure, including regulatory pressure, declining trust, and misunderstandings about timber production, clear-felling, and plantations. Key Topics Covered Why forestry lost the public perception battle. The communication gap and its consequences. Clear-felling vs deforestation: why the public confuses them. Forestry as an “open factory” The role of NGOs and how emotional storytelling beats data. Why timber production is misunderstood—but essential. Plantation forestry vs nature conservation. Historical mistakes and their lasting reputational impact. Regulation (EUDR) as a consequence of lost trust. How the industry can rebuild credibility. Quotes: "NGOs filled the storytelling gap about forestry." "We gave them FSC labels. They (NGO's) gave them baby orangutans. We lost." "An open factory approach can help educate the public.." "If you don't cut wood locally and source it sustainably, it's going to be sourced from somewhere else in the world, which doesn't have as strict regulation..." The ForestryNow newsletter signup forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Links: Peter on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterhasulyo/ The Forestry Brief https://forestrybrief.com/ The PR Battle Forestry Never Fought https://www.fordaq.com/news/The_PR_battle_forestry_never_111884.html WWF Hungary https://wwf.hu/ Chapters [0:00:00] – Introduction to Forestry Now and Peter Hoshu Dermot McNally opens the Forestry Now podcast, introducing the show’s focus on profitable, sustainable forest management and his guest, Peter Hoshu, a licensed forest engineer and founder of Forestry Brief, a European forestry intelligence and newsletter service. [0:01:14] – What Is Forestry Brief and the European Forestry Pulse? Peter outlines Forestry Brief as an evolving intelligence service built around his twice‑weekly newsletter, the European Forestry Pulse, which tracks developments in European forestry alongside key trends in North America. [0:01:48] – The PR Battle Forestry Never Fought Dermot introduces Peter’s article, “The PR Battle Forestry Never Fought,” and asks why a renewable, carbon‑storing sector lost the perception battle in the 1990s, with Peter arguing that forestry failed to explain its work and impact to the public. [0:02:29] – Communication Vacuum and Storytelling Power Peter explains how foresters assumed “sustainability would speak for itself,” leaving a communication vacuum that was filled by others; he stresses that in a media‑driven world it’s not enough to be sustainable, you must also be perceived as such through clear value‑driven communication. [0:04:16] – How NGOs Won Hearts with Emotion, Not Data Peter describes how nature NGOs, often founded or staffed by journalists, excel at emotional storytelling rather than technical explanations, using simple, visceral narratives that resonate far more than yield tables, certifications, or Excel‑driven arguments from the forestry side. [0:06:22] – Greenpeace, Baby Orangutans, and Media Optics Using Greenpeace as an example, Peter contrasts powerful visuals—such as activists confronting whalers or orphaned orangutans losing habitat—with forestry’s dry imagery of labels and tables, noting how these emotionally charged images shape public perception even when contexts differ between places like Borneo and Europe. [0:07:23] – Clearfelling vs. Deforestation: Same Image, Different Reality Peter explains how the public often conflates clear‑cut harvesting with deforestation because the initial image—a “scarred” landscape—is identical, and argues that foresters failed to communicate what happens next: replanting, regrowth, and the emergence of a new forest over subsequent decades. [0:09:24] – The Open Factory and the “Dead Forest” Concept Building on Dermot’s point about shocking clear‑fell images, Peter introduces forests as an “open factory” that the public can walk into, and explains his “dead forest” idea: harvested timber as the indispensable, often invisible counterpart to the “living forest” that provides everyday products like furniture, houses, and packaging. [0:11:23] – Long Rotations, EV Analogies, and Global Leakage Peter highlights how long rotation cycles (30–100+ years) are hard for the public to grasp, and warns that if societies refuse local harvesting while still consuming wood, demand will simply shift abroad to regions with weaker regulations—similar to electric vehicles outsourcing environmental impacts to poorly regulated mining regions. [0:14:53] – Historical Legacies and Mis‑Planted Forests in Hungary Prompted by Irish and UK planting mistakes on deep peat, Peter outlines Hungary’s history: massive forest loss after World War I, socialist‑era expansion of low‑quality and sometimes unsuitable stands (including conifers), and today’s twin pressures of climate change and desertification on these legacy plantations. [0:22:36] – Rewetting the Great Plain and Cross‑Sector Cooperation Peter describes Hungary’s mixed response of species change, mandatory reforestation, and efforts to re‑wet former wetlands on the Great Plain, noting the need for cooperation between forestry, agriculture, and nature conservation to reverse decades of drainage and prevent large‑scale forest dieback. [0:24:58] – Why Forestry Under‑Invested in Professional PR Dermot asks why the sector didn’t hire communicators sooner, and Peter says many in forestry believed a “good product sells itself,” overestimating the persuasive power of data and underestimating how crucial story, context, and perception are in maintaining public trust. [0:26:06] – Avoiding Greenwashing by Owning Imperfection On fears of being accused of greenwashing, Peter suggests starting with honesty—admitting mistakes and limits—then working with conservationists and professional communicators to tell balanced stories about both timber production and nature conservation, rather than treating critics solely as adversaries. [0:27:56] – Collaboration Within Forestry and with NGOs Peter notes positive joint projects with WWF and others in Hungary and Bulgaria, but emphasizes that the bigger challenge is fragmentation within forestry itself; he argues every forester is effectively a PR person and calls for shared narratives, training, and coordinated messaging across small owners and companies. [0:29:47] – EU Deforestation Regulation as the Price of Lost Trust Turning to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), Peter frames it as a tangible consequence of lost public trust: when voters and policymakers don’t understand sustainable forestry, they default to hig...

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  • #11
    March 16 · 43 min

    Where Farming Meets Forestry - with Andy Dunne

    Today I speak with Andy Dunne. Andy's an agricultural consultant based in Portlaoise, Ireland. He's also a forest owner and a member of the Laois Offaly Farm Forestry Group. Andy explains how he manages his own forest and his experience working with adjoining forest owners using a Continuous Cover Forestry approach. Then we talk about his role as an Agricultural Consultant and his experience advising farmers on their options under the current forestry programme. He highlights the way forestry has been marginalised outside of farming and how this affects the attitudes of land holders to it. Finally he explains with clear examples how current restrictions around afforestation rarely result in the best outcome for nature. Key Points: How Andy made the decision to plant land and why it worked for him. Collaborative forestry management including approaches to roads and felling licences. State support (or lack thereof) and lack of a holistic created siloed thinking between farming and forestry. Encouraging landowners to plant given regulations and land designations. Recognising the inevitable environmental trade offs inherent with the Irish forestry system. Impact of designations on current land value. Shifting attitudes towards forestry. Quotes: "When I planted it was simple - it's not simple anymore..." "If we integrate (forestry) at an institutional level, we start to get the farmer integrating his thinking around it as well." "If you impose any burden, and a designation (environmental) is a burden... it's restricting what you can and can't do with the land... it will affect the value." "The dairy farmer up the road will reclaim it for me, and he'll give me 350 euros an acre for it..." The ForestryNow newsletter signup forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Links: Andy Dunne's Agri Consultants: https://www.facebook.com/eaecltd/ Andy on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andy-dunne-72b07718Andy's profile at the Agricultural Consultants' Association https://aca.ie/andy-dunne/ Farm Forest Season 2 Episode 5 - Andy Dunne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ELMJDC3Mc4 Chapters: [0:00:00] – Agricultural consultancy and Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) on his home farm. [0:03:34] – Collaborative Management with Adjoining Owners. [0:05:37] – Shared Infrastructure and Rights of Way. [0:07:45] – Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) and Wind Stability. [0:11:35] – Storm Impacts and Species Suitability. [0:15:18] – Administrative Challenges for Small Owners. [0:20:37] – The Marginalization of Forestry in Farming. [0:22:38] – Integrating Forestry as a Farm Enterprise. [0:30:40] – Bureaucratic Hurdles and Environmental Screening. [0:37:12] – Valuing Ecosystem Services, Land Value and "Payment for Environmental Services" (PES).

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  • #10
    March 2 · 47 min

    Community and Conservation: A New Approach to Forestry with Ray Ó Foghlú

    In this conversation, I speak with Ray Ó Foghlú - Ray is Development Lead at Hometree, a nature restoration charity with a strong focus on woodlands based in Co Clare, Ireland. We discuss the organization's role in landscape level projects such as the Wild Atlantic Rainforest Project and the Iveragh Woodland EIP (European Innovation Partnership) in Kerry. Ray discusses bureaucratic challenges in Irish forestry and the need for supportive agricultural policies that empower farmers while also facilitating nature restoration. Ray sets out a clear vision of how we can create vibrant rural communities that value both food production and ecosystem services. Reference is made in the podcast to SAC's which are Special Areas of Conservation and also to SPA's or Special Protection Areas. The ForestryNow newsletter signup Other Links: Ray on Linkedin linkedin.com/in/ray-ó-foghlú-24923a70 Ray writing on The Journal https://www.thejournal.ie/author/ray-Ó-foghlú/6649/ Ray writing in the Farmers Journal https://www.farmersjournal.ie/news/opinion/opinion-rural-ireland-s-future-depends-on-homes-for-young-people-893508 Links to Hometree's website and social media.https://www.hometree.ie/ https://www.instagram.com/hometreecharity/ https://www.facebook.com/hometreecharity/ Sponsor Link www.forestsales.ie Contact Dermot forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Key Points Hometree focuses on native woodlands and community engagement. The organization aims to restore 57,500 acres in the next 10 years in the next 10 years through projects such as the Wild Atlantic Rainforest Project. Ray explains why farmers are often cautious about permanent land use changes and why they often feel let down. Financial incentives are essential for farmer engagement and he suggests how we can make these better for both farmers and nature. He explains in depth how the Iveragh Woodland EIP aims to create woodlands in Kerry. Ray outlines why policy changes are needed to support nature restoration efforts such as those that dictate elevation restrictions and levels of bare rock on afforestation sites. Ray explains how the future of farming must include ecosystem services and technology. Ray gives his opinion on clearfell as a management technique and addresses criticisms of Sitka Spruce . Quotes: "We're not here just to look good, we want to have real tangible impact." "We need to capture that sentiment." (In relation to initial farmer enthusiasm for afforestation) "You need to take a cap off what they (farmers) can earn for the environment!" "Clearfell can be done sensitively." "The future is rural!" [0:00:00] – Introduction to Hometree and Nature Restoration [0:03:19] – Ambitious Restoration Targets and Strategic Pillars [0:05:45] – The Wild Atlantic Rainforest Project and Farmer Engagement [0:09:12] – Perceptions of Forestry and Bureaucratic Hurdles [0:13:58] – Silvicultural Mindsets vs. Nature-Based Solutions [0:16:15] – Strategies for Woodland Conservation and Fencing [0:20:07] – The Iveragh Woodlands EIP: Upland Challenges [0:24:28] – Innovative Payments and Results-Based Scoring [0:26:59] – Landscape-Level Deer Management and Technology [0:28:57] – De-risking Policy: EIPs vs. National Schemes [0:36:32] – Valuing Ecosystem Services and Rural Succession [0:42:07] – Forestry Diversity and Rethinking Monocultures [0:44:19] – Clearfell Mitigation and Peatland Restoration

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  • #9
    February 16 · 41 min

    Farming in an Irish Forest with Brendan Guinan

    In this podcast I speak to Brendan Guinan of Fiorbhia farm about what happened when he sold his hazardous waste business and transitioned into agroforestry. He explains his experience raising cattle, pigs and chickens in his neglected mixed species forest near Portlaoise, Ireland. We discuss the forest itself and his management approach, thinning the forest, creating paddocks and his system of rotational grazing. He also shares the criticism he received, his experience managing windblow, observations around nature, natural regeneration, rainfall and much more. Key Topics Brendan explains how he used the animals to open up the understory. The general ecological benefits of using cattle, pigs and hens in forest management. How innovative methods lead to biodiversity improvements. Brendan argues that agroforestry management requires understanding of local ecosystems. The importance of balancing bacterial to fungal ratios in the forest to allow grass to thrive. The value Brendan sees in the soil itself and how the forest enhances livestock welfare. How carefully controlled rotational grazing through defined paddocks prevents damaging the soils and the trees. How Brendan brings the community into his forest. The ForestryNow newsletter signup Links Fiorbhia website: https://www.fiorbhiafarm.ie/ Fiorbhia on instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fiorbhia_farm/?hl=en Brendan's Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-guinan-99395662/ Read about Brendan in the Irish Indepedent at https://www.independent.ie/farming/rural-life/how-this-26ac-of-abandoned-forest-in-laois-is-now-producing-premium-meat-for-irelands-top-chefs/42273708.html For general advice and information about agroforestry in Ireland: https://www.irishagroforestry.ie/ Department of Agriculture Food and Marome Forestry Information including the Agroforestry Scheme at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/forestry-grants-and-schemes/ forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Chapters: [0:00:00] – Introduction to Fíorbhia Farm & Biological Agroforestry - Brendan Guinan introduces his unique 100% biological agroforestry enterprise in Ireland that operates without chemical intervention to enhance the living conditions of both trees and animals. [0:00:55] – From Hazardous Waste to Forestry: The Origin Story After 16 years running a hazardous waste business and experiencing burnout at age 40, Brendan explains how he sold his company and eventually found a forgotten, overgrown forest in 2019. [0:02:08] – Assessing the Land: Soil Health Over Timber Value Brendan describes the state of the 25-year-old unthinned forest and explains why he saw more value in the thriving soil biology (worm castings and tilth) than in the neglected, stunted trees. [0:04:49] – Integrating Animals: A Lifelong Farming Philosophy Drawing on 20 years of experience growing 80% of his family's food on a small plot, Brendan discusses why cattle, pigs, and poultry were always a central part of his plan for the forest. [0:08:04] – Forest Composition: Planted Species vs. Natural Regeneration A breakdown of the site’s species, including planted Sycamore, Red Alder, and Lodgepole Pine, as well as the diverse natural regeneration of Oak, Hazel, Willow, and Rowan. [0:10:46] – First Steps: Infrastructure, Licensing, and Initial Thinning Brendan recounts investing €40,000 in a roadway, securing a rare continuous cover felling license, and using a chainsaw to open paddocks and create fencing from the harvested timber. [0:13:24] – The Multi-Species Grazing System & Ecological Impact Details on how cattle first cleared the eight-foot-tall overgrowth, followed by pigs to turn the soil and hens to spread waste, effectively restoring the ecosystem's balance without machinery. [0:18:19] – Soil Microbiology & Managing the Fungal-to-Bacteria Ratio An exploration of soil science in agroforestry, where Brendan explains how animal intervention reduced the fungal-to-bacteria ratio from 60:1 to 5:1 to encourage healthier grass growth. [0:20:59] – Managing Animal Impact & Rotational Grazing Strategy Addressing concerns about root damage, Brendan explains his use of small 1–2 acre paddocks and the importance of moving animals before they transition from "regenerative" to "destructive". [0:24:00] – Diversification: Fruit Trees, Lakes, and Cob Houses Brendan discusses his trials with "nurse crops," planting walnuts and blueberries, and how he converted a flooded, nutrient-poor area into a one-acre lake and built a cob house using on-site clay. [0:30:24] – Navigating Grants, Bureaucracy, and Commercial Viability A candid look at the lack of support from official organic and agricultural schemes, and Brendan’s reliance on direct sales and marketing rather than government grants. [0:32:10] – Future Vision: Demonstration Farming & Succession Planning Brendan outlines his 2026 plans to turn the farm into a destination for training and public engagement, aiming to create a viable intergenerational model for young people in agriculture. [0:35:27] – Critique of the Agroforestry Scheme & Advice for Farmers Brendan argues that financial payments alone won't sustain agroforestry and offers advice on choosing native species, understanding "right tree, right place," and the importance of long-term planning

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  • #8
    February 2 · 46 min

    Firewood, Bespoke Timber Products and Small Scale Sawmilling with John Sherlock (Part 2)

    I talk to John Sherlock (forest owner and member of the North East Forest Group) about how his search for a new revenue stream to integrate into his warehousing business led him to develop a thriving firewood processing enterprise. John explains how it works and how he scaled the business upwards while avoiding bottlenecks. John quickly recognised quality logs among the loads of "pulp" and "rescue timber" that he was processing for firewood and so expanded into sawmilling which he explains in depth - he also discusses his craft timber enterprise where he offers custom made post and beam products (from Irish grown Douglas Fir predominantly) as well as making a range of other bespoke wood products to order. Finally John discusses the growth of small scale sawmilling across Ireland and moves towards forming a Guild. All of this is good news for forest owners who want to maximize revenue from their broadleaf and diverse conifers trees. It's also good news for wood manufacturers and users who want more Irish grown timber in high end products. Note: this is the second part of my interview with John Sherlock - in the first interview we discussed how he manages his own forest outside Navan in Co Meath and the excellent work being carried out on behalf of forest owners by the North East Forestry Group. Topics Covered: Setting and scaling up his firewood business, avoiding bottlenecks and achieving synergies with his warehousing enterprise. Certifying firewood under the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance scheme - refusing money for firewood - sticking to a quality ethos. Kiln dried firewood, saw dust and bark residues? Expansion into small scale sawmilling and how demand for at-home-Shebeens during COVID turned into demand for timber. Post and beam training and douglas fir processing. Preparing cants, finishing to order and conversion rates. A guild of small scale irish sawmillers? 170 small sawmillers in Ireland! Certified home grown timber in the future? The strength of peer to peer learning and site visits - how a small amount of Government funding can accelerate industry expansion and cohesion. A ready made market in Irish schools and bespoke furniture as well as post and beam buildings? A bright future for Irish forest owners and timber users. The ForestryNow newsletter signup Links John Sherlock on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-sherlock-6a0a14236/ RDS Forestry Award 2020: https://www.forestry.ie/images/MiscDocs/2021YearbookArticles/2021YB-RDSForestryAwards.pdf North East Forestry Group: https://northeastforestrygroup.ie/ Sherlogs Firewood: https://sherlogscrafttimber.ie/ Sherlogs Craft Timber: https://sherlogs.ie/ Guide to Small Scale Sawmilling: https://irishforestowners.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IFO-Sawmilling-Handbook-2025.pdf https://forestrynow.eu/

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  • #7
    January 19 · 38 min

    Mixed Species Forests and the North East Forestry Group with John Sherlock (Part 1)

    Today I speak with John Sherlock. As well as managing a 49 acre forest, John and his wife Evelyn own Sherlogs Firewood and Craft Timber based outside Navan in Co Meath. The business supplies firewood in the midlands and also mills timber for resale as well as offering a bespoke timber manufacturing service. If that wasn't enough John is very active in the North East Forestry Group and in a new initiative to bring small scale sawmillers across Ireland together. So there's a lot to talk about which is why I've split the interview in two parts. In this episode we talk about what's happening in his forest right now (he had windblow in January 25 and ash dieback prior to that). Then we take a deep dive into the activities of the North East Forestry Group where John's a former Chair and current secretary. John explains how their members are thriving through participation and peer to peer learning - their activities all prove the point that a small amount of targeted Government funding can accelerate the growth and cohesion of the industry. In the second episode (scheduled for release in two weeks) we'll discuss Johns firewood, his sawmilling business and the custom timber products he offers including post and beam from Douglas Fir. Then we move on to talk about the growing number of small scale sawmills across Ireland which can only be good news for forest owners who want to maximize revenue from broadleaf timber and diverse conifers. Topics in this Episode: Johns forest, ash dieback and replanting to suit the land, windblow devastation and CCF going forward. Growth of the North East Forestry Group, especially since Storm Eowyn. Group Forest Certification (including the 12 Apostles) and expanding the number of forests certified. Learning from Certification. The Schools Project to bring kids into the forests. Supporting Future Forest Owners with bespoke learning initiatives. Knowledge Transfer Groups and the strength of forest owners groups - with examples including an application to fund a group owned forwarding machine. The ForestryNow newsletter signup Links John Sherlock on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-sherlock-6a0a14236/ RDS Forestry Award 2020: https://www.forestry.ie/images/MiscDocs/2021YearbookArticles/2021YB-RDSForestryAwards.pdf North East Forestry Group: https://northeastforestrygroup.ie/ Sherlogs Firewood: https://sherlogscrafttimber.ie/ Sherlogs Craft Timber: https://sherlogs.ie/ Guide to Small Scale Sawmilling: https://irishforestowners.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IFO-Sawmilling-Handbook-2025.pdf https://forestrynow.eu/

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  • #6
    January 5 · 41 min

    Farm Forestry, the IFA Forestry Committee and conifer removal / nature restoration on Sliabh Beagh with Alan McCabe

    In this interview I speak with Alan McCabe who is the Manager at Glaslough Tyholland Group Water Scheme in North Co Monaghan. We briefly discuss how Alan manages his own forest and his role as Co Monaghan representative on the IFA Forestry Committee including challenges surrounding ESB corridors in existing forests. Then we discuss the River Blackwater Catchment Trust who have a project to remove self seeded conifers off the heather boglands of Sliabh Beagh (which is in Monaghan, Tyrone and Fermanagh): we explore how they do this and why it matters. The ForestryNow newsletter signup Links Alan McCabe on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-mccabe-0485b7162/ The Blackwater River Catchment Trust: https://blackwatercatchmenttrust.org/ Glaslough Tyholland Group Water Scheme: https://gtgws.ie/ The IFA Forestry Committee: https://www.ifa.ie/sector-committees/forestry-committee/ National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) https://www.npws.ie/peatlands-and-turf-cutting/protected-raised-bog-restoration-incentive-scheme-prbris forestrynow.eu [0:00:01] Introduction & Alan McCabe’s Forest Management [0:07:25] Joining the IFA Forestry Committee: Roles and Activities [0:10:54] Committee Advocacy: Wind Blow, Timber Prices, and Owner Support [0:14:00] ESB Access and Powerline Corridor Management [0:19:25] Licensing Objections and Ministry Liaison [0:20:49] River Blackwater Catchment Trust: Overview and Goals [0:27:06] Peatland Site Description: Species, Geography, Significance [0:29:50] Invasive Self-Seeded Conifers: Project and Impact [0:34:06] Other Invasives and Habitat Challenges [0:35:13] Physical Removal, Drone Use, and Safety Considerations [0:37:30] Native Species Self-Seeding: Habitat Change Drivers [0:39:27] Peat Extraction History and Bog Restoration Plans [0:40:18] Advice and Priorities for Forest Owners

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