The advice to forest owners affected by windblow from storm Éowyn is not to rush into any decisions, but to make a step-by-step plan to minimise risk and maximise the salvage value of their trees, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said. Responding to a parliamentary question from Tipperary north TD Ryan O’Meara on the value of windblown timber, the Minister said that most forests, despite being blown, can have considerable timber value and will retain that value for some time, in particular if the tree is still connected to the roots.
The advice to forest owners affected by windblow from storm Éowyn is not to rush into any decisions, but to make a step-by-step plan to minimise risk and maximise the salvage value of their trees, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said.
Responding to a parliamentary question from Tipperary north TD Ryan O’Meara on the value of windblown timber, the Minister said that most forests, despite being blown, can have considerable timber value and will retain that value for some time, in particular if the tree is still connected to the roots.
“Forests that have suffered windblow damage will retain their value for several months and it depends on several factors such as size of timber, weather, species, etc. Research in the UK found that with Sitka spruce, this deterioration in value starts to become significant after 18 months,” he said.
The Minister went on to encourage all stakeholders in the selling and buying of timber to engage constructively to ensure that the prices agreed are transparent and reflect the volume or weight determined.
“It is important when selling timber that contracts are in place and all terms and conditions are clearly outlined,” he said.
Timber sales
Minister Heydon was asked if he would direct Department staff to work in sawmills to measure and verify timber volumes being sold.
He said that it was clear from discussions with stakeholders that timber is sold in a variety of different ways.
“In some cases, timber is sold standing, sold by weight and other cases sold by volume. It is a matter for the buyer and seller of timber to agree on the method of sale.
“My Department has no role in setting weight conversion factors and does not intervene in the market to prescribe the price or the method of sale. In view of this, it would not be appropriate to place Departmental staff in sawmills to measure and verify timber volumes,” he said.
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