Woodlands of Ireland in conjunction with HSE Cloonamahon and Western Forestry Co-op are holding free workshops on early native tree maintenance at the HSE Cloonamahon Native Woodland Park near Sligo on Tuesday 19th August in celebration of National Heritage Week. The workshops are suitable for woodland managers, foresters, landowners and farmers who grow trees as well as anyone interested in learning more about how to maintain trees as they grow.
Native Woodland Maintenance Workshops
The focus is on years 4 to 12 approx and includes discussion on how a greater emphasis on some native species timber production potential may lead to better structural and species diversity in the longer term.
Places are limited to 25 persons in each of the 2 workshops. Please book your place through the Eventbrite BOOKING FORM.
- The first workshop commences at 10am and runs until 12.30pm approx.
- The second workshop commences at 6pm and runs until 8.30pm approx.
If attending, please meet at the car park to the left at the top of the avenue access to Cloonamahon at the start time you have chosen. Refreshments are kindly provided by HSE staff there.
Topics include competing vegetation control, early shaping of species suitable for timber production, fence maintenance, requirements for individual native species up to year 12, filling in gaps (or not), and monitoring for evidence of browsing damage on trees.
Secure your place at a workshop today!
HSE Cloonamahon Native Woodland Park
The 40-hectare HSE Cloonamahon Native Woodland Park was 100% funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under its Woodland Creation on Public Land scheme as part of the Forestry Programme 2014 – 2020. This Scheme aimed to encourage Public Bodies to establish new native woodlands on suitable bare land. The circa 200 acre site owned by the HSE, borders approximately 15 acres of forest owned by Coillte and 23 acres of land owned by Western Forestry Co-operative where a model forest of many different woodland types will be developed. The HSE Cloonamahon complex is located approximately 10km from Sligo town and is easily accessible from the main Sligo to Dublin road (N4). Western Forestry Co-op developed and managed the Cloonamahon Native Woodland Park on behalf of the HSE for 4 years. The stakeholders in the project were the HSE, Coillte, Western Forestry Co-op and Sligo County Council.
Former CEO of Western Forestry Co-operative Marina Conway had this to say in 2022:
“As well as the new native woodland, approximately 55 acres of old native woodland will be enhanced through the Departments Native Woodland Conservation and NeighbourWood Schemes as a public amenity, which will incorporate accessible walking tracks, signage, seating and picnic areas, providing an inclusive space in nature for both locals and visitors to the Sligo area”.
Source: https://www.sligococo.ie/News/Archive/NewsArchive2022/CloonamahonNativeWoodlandPark/
Woodland Types
Three distinct Native Woodland types can also be viewed on site including pioneer Birch woodland on the podzol soils, Alder-Ash-Oak woodland one the wetter more gleyed soils and Oak-Ash-Hazel Woodland on the drier mineral soils. 4km of recreational paths are installed throughout the park along with picnic areas, outdoor seating and information signs with maps, habitat signs, a tree trail and an outdoor forest playground.
Information to Note:
Please note Woodlands of Ireland may take photographs and videos of either workshop during the course of the event.
The workshops are being held in Cloonamahon Native Woodland park which has an extensive trail network. The workshops will involve walking several kilometres along these trails throughout the park. Please bring suitable footwear and clothing for the weather that is forecasted.
Thanks to HSE staff Dennis O’Rourke, Noreen Barrett and Colm Gilheaney of Western Forestry Co-op for their support.
Woodlands of Ireland are grateful for core funding we receive from the Heritage Council, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.