Benefits of ForestsBenefits of Forests

Benefits of ForestsBenefits of Forests

• Enjoyable forest walks and woodland trails.• Woodland and Forests provide habitats for

insects and animals.• Renewable source of fuel energy• Provide oxygen and reduce carbon dioxide.• Provide fruit, nuts, bark, oil and other products• Provide material for paper and manufactured

boards.• Used for furniture making and construction

ForestsForests

• There are two types of forests:

-Natural and Managed forests.

• Coillte manages Ireland’s forests

• The Department of Agriculture regulates forestry in Ireland.

Natural ForestsNatural Forests

• Rainforests are the most common type of natural forest.

• These are found in tropical regions where the climate is hot & damp.

• The largest areas of natural forest in Ireland is kerry and wicklow

Managed ForestsManaged Forests

• Afforestation is the planting of forests.

• Ireland is one of the least planted countries in the EU with only 10%

Stages in a Managed ForestStages in a Managed Forest

Stages in a Managed ForestStages in a Managed Forest

1. Draining the land and fencing the area.

2. Planting of young trees- trees are grown in nurseries for three years, trees are planted close to one another.

3. Thinning- 15 yrs on trees are thinned. Thinning is the cutting of the smaller trees and branches to allow the stronger trees to mature. Thinnings are used for fuel wood pellets, chipboard, OSB, MDF, fencing

Stages in a Managed ForestStages in a Managed Forest

4. Harvesting- 30-50 yrs as conifers grow fast, trees of the same age are cut down by clear felling.Clear felling- is the complete removal of a forest when the trees have reached the required maturity. It is economical but it leaves large areas of poor, bare land which has a negative affect on the wildlife

Stages in a Managed ForestStages in a Managed Forest

5. Second Rotation- When all trees are removed the ground is replanted with the same trees usually.

6. Transportation- the tree is cut to length and branches removed, these logs are brought to conversion yards.

Stages in a Managed ForestStages in a Managed Forest

Timber regions of the WorldTimber regions of the World

Northern Coniferous BeltNorthern Coniferous Belt

• Climate conditions are very cold and harsh, coniferous trees are ideally suited to this area.

• Examples: Larch, Birch, Douglas Fir,Sitka Spruce

Northern Template BeltNorthern Template Belt

• Climate is mild and the soil conditions are good, consists of both coniferous and deciduous trees however not many large forest areas

• Examples: Oak, Ash, Maple Sitka spruce

Tropical RainforestsTropical Rainforests

• Climate has high rainfall and high temperature. Growth happens all year round due to closeness to the equator.

• Examples: Mahogany, Balsa,Ebony, Teak

Southern Temperate BeltSouthern Temperate Belt

• Climate is mild and seasonal, consists of both coniferous and deciduous trees

• Examples: Oak, BeechParana Pine, Eucalyptus

DeforestationDeforestation

• Deforestation is the felling of large forest areas without replanting the trees cut down

• Timber is a renewable resource only when it is managed properly and trees replanted when cut down

• Deforestation of rainforests affects climate temperature, ocean currents and oxygen levels

• It is estimated areas the size of Ireland are been lost each year

Reasons for DeforestationReasons for Deforestation• Agriculture- Large areas cleared for farming and

ranching (slash and burn technique)• Human population- as population grows cities and

roads are built on cut down forests.• Need- High demand for tropical hardwood• Fuel- Natives of some regions use timber as an

economical source of fuel for heating and cooking• Logging & wood products- Commercial interests

of large multi-national and local logging companies

Effects of DeforestationEffects of Deforestation

Effects of DeforestationEffects of Deforestation• Slash and burning methods kill all animals, birds

and insects causing many to become extinct• Burning of trees contributes to air pollution• Reduces the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere• Effects the weather and global climate• Increases soil erosion in deforested areas• Native tribes are removed from their homes• Flooding – as trees consume large amounts of

water their removal can cause the water table to rise

Effects of DeforestationEffects of Deforestation

Preventing DeforestationPreventing Deforestation

• Use native woods where possible

• Only use tropical woods that are grown in sustainable forests (FSC labelled)

• Where possible use manufactured boards rather than solid tropical hardwoods

• Try to recycle wood and wood products - paper

Conversion of TimberConversion of Timber

• Conversion of timber is the name given to the process of cutting logs into various timber sizes.

• Conversion-allows timber to dry faster-gives wood a usuable size and shape-allows quality of timber to be seen

• 3 methods to converting logs:-Through and through sawing-Quarter sawing-Tangential sawing

Through and Through sawingThrough and Through sawing

• Also known as Plain or Slash sawing

• Simplest, quickest and most commonly used.

• Log placed in a roller and a bandsaw usually cuts the wood

Through and Through sawingThrough and Through sawing

• Advantages-quick easy and low cost.-maximum width of planks obtained-little waste-reveals an attractive grain pattern

• Disadvantages-some outer boards are sapwood so they are weaker-boards tend to warp when drying-not suitable for structural timber

Quarter sawingQuarter sawing

• This method displays an attractive grain figure.

• Shows distinct silver grain.

Quarter sawingQuarter sawing

• Advantages-an attractive grain pattern-growth rings are short which means less distoration during drying-boards more even and hard wearing

• Disadvantages-expensive, log is first quatered and turned for every cut, labour intensive.-boards are not as wide as plain sawed boards.

Tangential sawingTangential sawing

• Widely used in the USA

• Log is sawn so that the width of the board is tangential to the growth rings

• Timber converted this way will highlight the flame figure shown.

Tangential sawingTangential sawing

• Advantages-boards of heartwood and sapwood are easily separated.-knots appear circular on the face and less structural defects.-if the pith is decayed it can be easily boxed out.-boards are structurally strong and suitable for floor joists.

• Disadvantages-an expensive method of conversion-outer timbers prone to warping