A long-term study of transformation to CCF in Sitka spruce in Ireland
With Ted Wilson

Following our most recent successful webinar we have now made a recording available on YouTube for anyone that missed it or would like to revisit: VIEW NOW ON YOUTUBE

There is growing interest in the wider adoption of continuous cover forestry (CCF) in Ireland. This is linked strongly to woodland owner preferences for closer-to-nature forest management, climate adaptation policy and wider societal drivers for functionally diverse woodlands that deliver multiple ecosystem services. The key technical and professional challenge is the transformation of productive Sitka spruce plantations. To address this issue, a research project was initiated in 2010 by University College Dublin (UCD) which established the first long-term study in early-stage stand transformation that compared three types of thinning regime, low (conventional) thinning, crown thinning and graduated density thinning. The latter two represent “transformation pathways” with potential for application on a range of sites. The research has been sustained through the LISS project (2010-2014), TranSSFor Project (2017-2022) and the ContinuFor project (2022-2027). Partners include UCD, Maynooth University and Teagasc. Parallel to the research programme has been an extensive series of training and knowledge transfer courses and events, much of which is delivered in partnership with Pro Silva Ireland. In this presentation, Ted will present an overview of the study, some preliminary results and demonstrate the links between applied research and training.

Edward (Ted) Wilson Biography

Edward (Ted) Wilson is a silviculturist who specialises in the sustainability, resilience and conservation of temperate and boreal forests. His career has been multi-faceted, with roles in forest management, public policy, research and education. He has worked in Canada, the UK and Ireland, and held posts with several organisations, including the Canadian Forest Service, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, UK Forestry Commission, the Royal Forestry Society and Teagasc. He has delivered projects in more than 15 countries. Ted’s research interests are in the areas of tree biology, woodland establishment and silvicultural systems, especially continuous cover forestry (CCF). His current focus is the transformation of even-aged Sitka spruce stands to irregular structure forests. Working closely with colleagues in several organisations, he delivers an ongoing series of workshops and courses on CCF, especially tree marking, biodiversity conservation and management. Ted is adjunct professor of silviculture at the Institute of Forestry and Conservation, University of Toronto, is a Technical Member of the Society of Irish Foresters, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology.

Wilson, E. R., I. Short and Á. Ní Dhubháin. 2023. A long-term study of transformation to CCF in Sitka spruce in Ireland. Webinar. Continuous Cover Forestry Group. 23 February 2023.

 

Please contact Polly at administrator@ccfg.org.uk if you have any questions.

CCFG will be hosting their next webinar – A long-term study of transformation to CCF in Sitka spruce in Ireland

with Ted Wilson, Thursday 23rd February 23, 4pm – 5pm

This online event is hosted by CCFG featuring Ted Wilson who will deliver a 30 minute presentation on this topic. This will be followed by a question and answer session for participants.

There is growing interest in the wider adoption of continuous cover forestry (CCF) in Ireland. This is linked strongly to woodland owner preferences for closer-to-nature forest management, climate adaptation policy and wider societal drivers for functionally diverse woodlands that deliver multiple ecosystem services. The key technical and professional challenge is the transformation of productive Sitka spruce plantations. To address this issue, a research project was initiated in 2010 by University College Dublin (UCD) which established the first long-term study in early-stage stand transformation that compared three types of thinning regime, low (conventional) thinning, crown thinning and graduated density thinning. The latter two represent “transformation pathways” with potential for application on a range of sites. The research has been sustained through the LISS project (2010-2014), TranSSFor Project (2017-2022) and the ContinuFor project (2022-2027). Partners include UCD, Maynooth University and Teagasc. Parallel to the research programme has been an extensive series of training and knowledge transfer courses and events, much of which is delivered in partnership with Pro Silva Ireland. In this presentation, Ted will present an overview of the study, some preliminary results and demonstrate the links between applied research and training.

Biography

Edward (Ted) Wilson is a silviculturist who specialises in the sustainability, resilience and conservation of temperate and boreal forests. His career has been multi-faceted, with roles in forest management, public policy, research and education. He has worked in Canada, the UK and Ireland, and held posts with several organisations, including the Canadian Forest Service, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, UK Forestry Commission, the Royal Forestry Society and Teagasc. He has delivered projects in more than 15 countries. Ted’s research interests are in the areas of tree biology, woodland establishment and silvicultural systems, especially continuous cover forestry (CCF). His current focus is the transformation of even-aged Sitka spruce stands to irregular structure forests. Working closely with colleagues in several organisations, he delivers an ongoing series of workshops and courses on CCF, especially tree marking, biodiversity conservation and management. Ted is adjunct professor of silviculture at the Institute of Forestry and Conservation, University of Toronto, is a Technical Member of the Society of Irish Foresters, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology.

Wilson, E. R., I. Short and Á. Ní Dhubháin. 2023. A long-term study of transformation to CCF in Sitka spruce in Ireland. Webinar. Continuous Cover Forestry Group. 23 February 2023.

Continuous Cover past present and future. Is it time to make more noise?
With Dr Alec Dauncey

Following our most recent successful webinar we have now made a recording available on YouTube for anyone that missed it or would like to revisit: VIEW NOW ON YOUTUBE

Where are we up to in promoting Continuous Cover approaches? Greater use of Continuous Cover, or closer to nature methods, has been ‘on the agenda’ for about thirty years. Encouraging greater use of CCF has been part of the policies of governments around the UK and is part of the UK Forestry Standard and UK Woodland Assurance Standard. But has there been enough adoption of it, for the good of the resilience and ecosystem services from UK forests? What can we do?

Alec Dauncey Biography

Alec is a Lecturer at Bangor University having completed a PhD in British 20th Century forestry policy in 2016. Founder member of CCFG and participant in various ProSilva meetings and tours in the 1990s. Forest District manager in Wales implementing CCF in forest design plans. Worked as a Special Adviser to Welsh Government Ministers seeking to increase use of CCF in Wales in 2002. Defra UK/England and international Forestry Policy 2003-2008. 

Please contact Michelle at administrator@ccfg.org.uk if you have any questions.

CCFG will be hosting their next webinar – Wind Stability and Irregular Forest Stand Structures

with Barry Gardiner Thursday 27th October 4pm – 5pm

This online event is hosted by CCFG featuring Barry Gardiner who will deliver a 30 minute presentation on this topic. This will be followed by a question and answer session for participants.

Barry Gardiner Biography

Barry Gardiner is a senior researcher at the Institut Européen de la Forêt Cultivée (IEFC) in France, a researcher at the University of Freiburg, German, and an honorary research fellow at Forest Research. He has a particular interest in different abiotic risks to forests. His research focus has been primarily on wind and snow damage to forests, and he developed a forest wind/snow risk model that has been adapted for use in many countries. From 1987 to 2011 he worked at Forest Research in Scotland on wind risk to forests and the influence of forest management on timber quality. From 2011 to 2015 he worked as a Senior Scientist at INRA Bordeaux on a 4-year scientific package entitled “Wind Damage to Forests in a Changing Climate: Impacts and Mitigation” and from 2016 to 2019 he worked as a senior researcher at the EFI Planted Forests Facility. He currently is working on various projects focused on multiple risks to forests and how to incorporate risk management into forest management practice. He is Associate Editor of Annals of Forest Science and Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, and Coordinator of IUFRO Group 8.03.06 “Impact of wind on forests”. He is an author on more than 100 scientific papers and has edited 3 books. He was awarded Docteur Honoris Causa de l’Université Laval de Québec in June 2016.

Deer Management: Threats to CCF principles from deer impacts, monitoring risk, management options and deer management delivery
With David Hooton

Following our most recent successful webinar we have now made a recording available on YouTube for anyone that missed it or would like to revisit: VIEW NOW ON YOUTUBE

National deer populations have increased in range and number over the past 70 years, with at least two species present across much of the country, in some areas 5 of the six species can be found. The impacts that deer have on a wide range of landscape objectives is widely understood as well as the consequent losses of habitat that has an effect on associated fauna and flora is widely understood. Deer need to be managed and this seminar will discuss the challenges with a widely spread deer population and the effect that deer browsing has and some of the solutions and management actions required, alongside monitoring that can be used to support landowners and foresters in managing woodlands and deer populations.

David Hooton Biography

David Hooton works for The Forestry Commission as an area Deer Officer, providing advice on sustainable Wild Deer Management to a wide range of stakeholders in the area, with a particular emphasis on supporting woodland creation applications, woodlands back into management, and venison supply chains alongside general deer management advice to a range of stakeholders. David’s main area of work covers East England and East Midlands.

David studied Game Wildlife and Habitat Management at Sparsholt College, Hampshire and on completing his course in 1992 worked for The Forestry Commission as a Wildlife Ranger managing wild deer at Thetford Forest. In 2003 a two year secondment was offered to work with The Deer Initiative to act as a coordinator for the Deer Vehicle Collisions Project. Project funding was extended allowing David to continue his role with the Deer Initiative and expand his job role to include deer management advice across the East and East Midlands. David worked with a wide range of stakeholders, providing advice on monitoring deer numbers and impacts and developing projects that supported landowners, deer managers and other stakeholders to manage wild deer to meet a wide range of landscape objectives. David joined the Forestry Commission as a Deer Officer in April 2020.

Please contact Michelle at administrator@ccfg.org.uk if you have any questions.

30 Years of Applying CCF in Perthshire
With Charlie Taylor

Following our most recent successful webinar we have now made a recording available on YouTube for anyone that missed it or would like to revisit: VIEW NOW ON YOUTUBE

Charlie Taylor is currently Strategic Planning Manager for Forestry and Land Scotland. Prior to this, for nearly 30 years, he was Forest District Manager in Tay Forest District through the various incarnations of the Forestry Commission during that time. He led a large team tasked with looking after 38,000 ha of the national forests across Perth & Kinross, Angus, Dundee and north-east Fife. This included large operational programmes (e.g. 100,000m3 of clearfelling and 70,000m3 of thinning), a Forest Park, a Woodland Park, 6 Special Areas for Conservation, 13 SSSI sites, numerous cultural heritage sites and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders.

Before moving to Tay he was a Siviculture Project Leader in Forest Research, based at the Northern Research Station. Although initially focussed on forest nutrition, the portfolio of projects expanded to include species trials and agroforestry experiments spread across the uplands of Britain. The silvicultural experience gained during this time provided the drive to initiate the large-scale development of CCF in the national forests in Scotland. The proposed commitment of over 250ha in Craigvinean Forest near Dunkeld to CCF in 1991 required a full Forestry Commission (GB) Board meeting on site to agree this first major exception to the policy prevailing at that time.

Over the next three decades the area committed to CCF rolled out to many other forests across the District. Sustaining the thinning and cleaning programme to deliver this proved challenging due to the vagaries of the timber market, the scale of the programmes, scattered nature of regneration, contractor skills and turnover of staff.

Please contact Michelle at administrator@ccfg.org.uk if you have any questions.

Freestyle Silviculture in Slovenia
With Professor Jurij Diaci

Following our most recent successful webinar we have now made a recording available on YouTube for anyone that missed it or would like to revisit: VIEW NOW ON YOUTUBE

Professor Jurij Diaci is head of the Department of Silviculture at the Department of Forestry, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. He holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in forestry from the University of Ljubljana and a PhD from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. He gained practical experience in silviculture while working in the Nazarje mountain region in the Savinja Alps. 

His research work is in the field of forest ecology and silviculture, with emphasis on old-growth forests and uneven-aged mixed managed forests. He is interested in forest response and adaptation to climate change, as well as the scientific basis for close-to-nature, ecological forestry. He has led more than 20 national research projects, participated in several international projects (e.g., BEAR, NATMAN, LISS, ONEforest), and is fascinated with networking science and practice. 

He has written and edited several books and published more than 80 scientific articles. He has served as a board member of the international association Pro Silva and is chairman of the board of the Pahernik Foundation, which manages 630 hectares of forest that has been managed in a close-to-nature approach for more than 100 years.

Please contact Michelle at administrator@ccfg.org.uk if you have any questions.

Using Forest Development Types to Implement CCF
With Dr Jens Haufe, (Forest Research)

Following our sixth successful webinar we have now made a recording available on YouTube for anyone that missed it or would like to revisit: VIEW NOW ON YOUTUBE

Dr Jens Haufe is the Head of Technical Development branch, Forest Research and is based in Ae, Scotland. His main role is a silvicultural trainer/advisor and many professional foresters will have attended one of his courses. Before joining the Forestry Commission he worked at Bangor University on the Tyfiant Coed project.

Please contact Michelle at administrator@ccfg.org.uk if you have any questions.

Applying CCF in Boreal Pine Forests
With Sauli Valkonen, (Natural Resources Institute of Finland)

Following our fifth successful webinar we have now made a recording available on YouTube for anyone that missed it or would like to revisit: VIEW NOW ON YOUTUBE

Sauli Valkonen lives in Coastal Pernaja near the Finnish capital, Helsinki and he works as a researcher at the Natural Resources Institute of Finland (Luke). For about 20 years, his focus has been on Continuous Cover Forestry, including silvicultural, ecological, and management issues.

The Nordic boreal forests dominated by Norway spruce and Scots pine have been his main playground, with research on CCF conducted in Europe, California and East Africa. He has long-lasting ties to UK forests and forestry, beginning with a student traineeship at Forestry Commission in Wales (Aberystwyth). English football and tea (and the Tube) are dear to his heart.

 

Please contact Michelle at administrator@ccfg.org.uk if you have any questions.

Applying CCF in lowland Broadleaved Woods
With Andy Poore, (SelectFor)

Following our forth successful webinar we have now made a recording available on YouTube for anyone that missed it or would like to revisit: VIEW NOW ON YOUTUBE

Andy acts as a manager and consultant for a number of large private estates in South West England and other public and commercial clients. He is particularly experienced in managing sites with high nature conservation and heritage values. Other areas of expertise are broadleaved silviculture, forest economics and mensuration in irregular stands.

 

Please contact Michelle at administrator@ccfg.org.uk if you have any questions.