Driving from Bawnboy, Co. Cavan towards Enniskillen the other day, I got stuck behind a big log truck probably heading to Balcas.  It brought to mind the last time I had had to move out of the way for a big log truck to pass, which was in Freudenstadt, in the Black Forest in Germany in June this year, only then I had been on foot.

I was there as part of the Pro Silva Europe annual conference. As with all Pro Silva meetings, – most of the action happens in the forests and that’s where the real good learning takes place. For me it is the ultimate enjoyment to be in one of these big forests with big trees and a bunch of foresters from all over Europe, some of them second or third generation foresters, sharing their knowledge and discussing the issues as they are seen on the ground.

The forest we were in was a private farm forest in an area with 90% forest cover. There were 50 sawmills in a 25 kilometre radius.  Close to Nature forest management is the norm and the main species were Norway spruce, silver fir, oak, beech.

Here in Ireland, when we think of a log truck, we think of a truck piled high with maybe fifty logs of various sizes.   The main difference with the one in Freudenstadt, which was very apparent, was that there were only three logs to make up a full load.

Permanent mixed forest in Freudenstadt with giant fir trees. Three of these logs make up one truck load.

Permanent mixed forest in Freudenstadt with giant fir trees. Three of these logs make up one truck load.

I suppose, in order for us to have big forests like that, with tall trees, we also need to develop both the infrastructure to deal with such sizes, and of course a local market for the logs. But none of that will happen unless enough forest owners decide to not clearfell their plantations, but rather to let them grow on and manage them as permanent forests, as is done elsewhere throughout Europe.

Timber stacked at roadside in County Leitrim. Here the entire forest was cut down with the result that the majority of logs were of small diameter and low value.

Timber stacked at roadside in County Leitrim. Here the entire forest was cut down with the result that the majority of logs were of small diameter and low value.



The site where the forest was. This is what happens to the forest here in Ireland when timber is harvested.

The site where the forest was. This is what happens to the forest here in Ireland when timber is harvested.