A project by 4A project by 4thth and 5 and 5thth class class

SilvicultureSilviculture is the growing of treesSilviculture is the growing of treesThe Irish State Forestry department is called The Irish State Forestry department is called

Coillte TeorantaCoillte TeorantaThe word “coillte” means woodlandsThe word “coillte” means woodlands70% of all iris forests are owned by Coillte.70% of all iris forests are owned by Coillte.Trees grow better in good soil than in bad Trees grow better in good soil than in bad

soil.soil.Leitrim is suitable for the growing of trees Leitrim is suitable for the growing of trees

due to its damp soil conditions.due to its damp soil conditions.Land that was once covered by bog is often Land that was once covered by bog is often

used for silviculture.used for silviculture.

They are evergreen treesThey are evergreen treesThe leaves fall off when old but grow back The leaves fall off when old but grow back

straight awaystraight awayThe Sitka Spruce is the most common The Sitka Spruce is the most common

coniferous tree in Leitrim.coniferous tree in Leitrim.

Sitka spruceThe sitka spruce is the most common tree in IrelandThe sitka spruce is a coniferous treeTheir timber is used for fences, roofing, floors and

toolsMany of the coniferous trees are not native to Ireland

e.g sitka spruceSitka spruce is used for firewood, woodpellets for

burnersSaw dust from the sitka spruce is used for the

bedding of livestockAs it is a soft wood it grows quicker and it is less

expensive than hardwoodsThe sitka spruce is the most common tree planted by

state forestry Coillte

DECIDUOUS TREESThey are usually broad leaf trees.They are usually broad leaf trees.Their leaves fall off in autumn.Their leaves fall off in autumn.They live to be a hundred years old.They live to be a hundred years old.It’s a hard wood and it’s more expensive than It’s a hard wood and it’s more expensive than

soft woodsoft woodMost of them are native to Ireland like oak, Most of them are native to Ireland like oak,

ash and birchash and birchSome non-native broadleaf trees are beech Some non-native broadleaf trees are beech

and hornbeam.and hornbeam.

ForestersMost Irish forests have a 40 year cycle.Most Irish forests have a 40 year cycle.A forester protects forests against insects, A forester protects forests against insects,

disease and fire.disease and fire.The foresters preserve wildlife and The foresters preserve wildlife and

supervise grazing, and help to guard the supervise grazing, and help to guard the forest.forest.

They help supervise at camping sites and They help supervise at camping sites and picnic areas. picnic areas.

BirchBirch trees may grow in pairs or clusters Birch trees may grow in pairs or clusters The silver birch is grown in IrelandThe silver birch is grown in IrelandThey grow in peaty soils They grow in peaty soils Birch nutlets are small and grown in a coneBirch nutlets are small and grown in a coneThey have a thin bark with peels in horizontal They have a thin bark with peels in horizontal

layerslayersOther trees are the yellow birch, river birch, Other trees are the yellow birch, river birch,

sweet birch and gray birchsweet birch and gray birch

Ash treesAsh is a hard wood treeAsh trees can prevent soil erosionAsh wood is hard strong and is used in the

making of shovel ,hoe and rake handles.In Ireland ash is used in the making of hurleysHurleys can vary in length from 61 cm to 94 cmThe game of hurling is better known as the

“clash of the ash”In Ireland there are two different types of ash,

(a) the mountain ash, (b) the lowland ash

THE OAK TREE

The oak is a broadleaf tree.The oak is a broadleaf tree.The oak timber produced is hard wood.The oak timber produced is hard wood.The oak is a native tree to Ireland.The oak is a native tree to Ireland.The Vikings used oak wood to build their The Vikings used oak wood to build their

ships.ships.There are 600 different species of oak.There are 600 different species of oak.Oak trees can live for 800 years.Oak trees can live for 800 years.

Habitats of the forestThere are four habitats in the forest.There are four habitats in the forest.1. The canopy is the tops of the trees.1. The canopy is the tops of the trees.2. The shrub layer has small trees and 2. The shrub layer has small trees and

shrubs.shrubs.3. The ground layer with flowering plants and 3. The ground layer with flowering plants and

animals.animals.4. Leaf litter with dead leaves and animals 4. Leaf litter with dead leaves and animals

such as earthworms and hedgehogs.such as earthworms and hedgehogs.

Fencing and wood usesWood is used for fencing on farms and Wood is used for fencing on farms and

motorwaysmotorwaysThese fences are for keeping cattle of the These fences are for keeping cattle of the

motorwaymotorwayFences are made from oak, dougles fir, larch Fences are made from oak, dougles fir, larch

and pine.and pine.Wood is used for poles to carry electricity and Wood is used for poles to carry electricity and

telephone wires.telephone wires.Fences and gates are made in different types Fences and gates are made in different types

of waysof ways

Firewood and energy (products)Wood is a renewable source of energy Wood is a renewable source of energy Timber produces 30% more heat than fossils Timber produces 30% more heat than fossils

fuels (coal gas oil peat) fuels (coal gas oil peat) Certain timbers may be used to make timber Certain timbers may be used to make timber

products like tables, chairs, sleigh beds, products like tables, chairs, sleigh beds, instruments and shelvesinstruments and shelves

There are 4 types of fuel 1. cut timber 2. There are 4 types of fuel 1. cut timber 2. chipwood 3. sawdust 4. wood pellets and chipwood 3. sawdust 4. wood pellets and briquettesbriquettes