Coillte has been directed to stop felling operations at a site in Co. Tipperary, following claims that semi-mature oak trees have been cut down.

Agriland understands that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has ordered that the works at Drumwood, Rossmore cease while an investigation is carried out.

The issue was raised with the department's forestry unit by Hedgerows Ireland yesterday (Wednesday, August 19) after the organisation was contacted by a concerned local resident.

In an email, an official in the department told Hedgerows Ireland that "the department have directed that works cease on this licence".

"The department is currently investigating the circumstances outlined in your correspondence and will take appropriate measures to ensure the licence conditions are being adhered to," they added.

It is understood the felling licence for the site relates to Sitka spruce, Norway Spruce and Japanese Larch on the site.

It is understood that department has asked Coillte to provide an explanation within the next two weeks in relation to the circumstances surrounding the felling of trees on the lands.

In a statement to Agriland, a spokesperson for Coillte said: "Coillte is aware that an issue has arisen in relation to the felling licence issued by the department.

"Coillte is engaging with the department to seek a resolution."

Coillte

Coillte said that it is currently undertaking "biodiversity focused forest management works" at Drumwood Forest.

The State-owned commercial forestry company said this is "part of a long-term programme to enhance the forest's ecological value and resilience".

"The works are based on the principles of continuous cover forestry (CCF), a close-to-nature forest management approach that maintains continuous woodland cover while gradually creating a more diverse forest structure through the selective removal of individual trees and small groups of trees from the forest canopy.

"The objective is to encourage natural regeneration, increase habitat diversity and support improved biodiversity outcomes over time," it said.

The company added that Drumwood is part of Coillte's Forests for Nature programme, under which forests are managed primarily to protect and enhance nature and biodiversity.

"The current operations have been designed by Coillte foresters and ecologists to support these long-term conservation objectives.

"The management of Drumwood will create a more structurally diverse, resilient woodland that will provide enhanced habitat for a wide range of native plants and wildlife into the future," it added.

Concerns

Alan Moore, secretary of Hedgerows Ireland, thanked the local resident who contacted them about his concerns over the felling in Drumwood.

"Thanks to his vigilance we were able to alert the Forest Service who have now stopped work at the site and have mounted an investigation.

"However, we are deeply concerned about the reported damage to this native woodland and the apparently unlawful felling of semi-mature oak trees and are requesting that this incident will now prompt a wider review of the licensing and oversight of Coillte forest operations," he said.

Moore said that native oak trees are of "key importance to biodiversity" and support over 2,000 different wildlife species.

"We understand that Drumwood is home to a variety of nesting songbirds including woodpeckers and also to protected red squirrels," he said.

Hedgerows Ireland has also requested that no further felled trees are removed from the site pending the department's inquiry.