Forest Management Plan

Forest Management Plan
Donadea Forest
Forest Code: KE06
Period Covered: 2011 to 2015
Version 2.0
District Manager
Forest Manager
Richard Whelan
Gerard Buckley (FM)
Coillte
Bridge Street Centr
Coillte
Bridge Street Centr
Portlaoise
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Co. Laois
Tel.:
057 862161
Tel.:
057 8621617
Fax.:
057 866052
Fax.:
057 8660524
Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
What is this document?
The term "Forest Management Plan" (FMP) describes all the site-level plans for the land managed by Coillte. Each site
level plan represents the best balance of the social, economic and environmental objectives sought by our shareholders
and stakeholders. This document is a summary of the management plans for the forest in question and is designed to be
used with Coillte's online mapviewer where you can view more detail on the location, nature and timing of felling and
replanting :
www.coillte.ie/forests/plans/forest_management_plans/online_map_viewer/
The glossary of terms for Forest Management Plans would also be useful (see
www.coillte.ie/forest_management_plans/glossary/ )
Differences in version 2.0 of the document: In the first version of this document the charts entitled 'Species Group (and
open space) by period' were incorrect. The charts have now been corrected for this version.
Introduction
Donadea Forest Park is situated in the lush pasture lands of northwest Kildare, close to the towns of Clane, Naas, Kilcock,
in between the N4 and N7 motorways. Donadea covers 243 hectares of mixed broadleaf and conifer woodland within the
old estate walls of Donadea Demesne. It has been a forest park since 1981 and is a proposed National Heritage Area
(NHA). It is the most widely used Coillte forest park in Ireland, attracting more than 100,000 visitors per annum.
The tree species composition in the park is 64% broadleaf (the main species being ash - 57%, beech (25%) and oak (8%))
and 36% conifer (mainly Norway spruce (30%)). The main soil types are a mixture of grey brown podzolics and gleys.
Nature Conservation
The mixed woodland of Donadea will be maintained to provide a diversity of habitats for a variety of wildlife species.
Badgers, foxes, owls and possibly pine marten have been seen in the forest. Only the grey squirrel is found in Donadea.
Donadea Forest Park is part of a research project CRISIS which is looking at the damage and control of grey squirrels with
a view to protecting our native red squirrel and broadleaf tree species. Control of grey squirrel populations is undertaken in
the park.
Recreation
There are 243 hectares of woodland open to the public to enjoy. There are three main walking routes - the Alymer walk,
the lake walk and the nature trail and there is parking for over 400 cars. The park café is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
The forest park is widely used for walking, running, orienteering, scouting activities and school visits. Many other events
are held in the forest by local and county groups. There is currently a €4 daily charge or season passes are available for
€30. Plans are being put in place to enhance the facilities including an outdoor shelter at the park café, a cycle path,
barbeque facilities among others. Permits are required for any events being held in the park and people should contact
the forest manager in this regard. Coillte regularly consults with local community groups regarding development of the
park. Check out the website www.coillteoutdoors.ie for more information.
Security
Due to the isolated nature of the park, visitors are advised not to leave any valuables in their cars. There is an electronic
barrier at the entrance which aims to discourage anti-social behaviour. Any incidents should be reported to the local
Gardai in Clane who work closely with the forest manager. Coillte operates a Leave no Trace policy in all forests
encouraging visitors to take home their rubbish. Litter bins are not provided. For everyone's safety and enjoyment, dogs
should be kept on a lead and owners should clean up after them.
Adjoining land use
Donadea is surrouned by farmland, bogland and some residential areas.
Other comments
Page 2 of 17
Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
There are many unique historical features in the park including the castle ruins, church, tower, walled gardens, ice box and
boat house. There is a 2.3 hectare lake with large numbers of wildfowl. Lime Tree Avenue, which was the original
entrance to the estate is also an attractive feature. There is also a memorial to those killed in the 9/11 disaster in New
York.
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Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
Forest management
Management Approach
This park, like all of Coillte's forests, is being managed under the principles of sustainable forest management and is
certified by the Forest Stewardship Council environmental sustainability in the day to day management of forests.
The park is managed primiarly for recreation and biodiversity enhancement and protection and is maintained on an
ongoing basis. In addition, Coillte engages in regular development projects to continue maintaining and enhancing the
facilities provided to the public. Timber harvesting occurs on a small scale in order to improve the growth, stand diversity
and health of the forest. There are a number of research trials ongoing in the forest and there is an excellent stand of oak
which is a certified seed stand. The aim is to maintain a similar species mix to the current ratio of approximately 64%
broadleaf and 36% conifer into the future.
Thinning and clearfell
A 14 hectare block of Norway spruce around the lake area has reached maturity and is showing signs of butt rott. This
area is slowly being harvested over a 10 year period by taking out small groups of trees and replanting with native
broadleaves. This conversion began in 2004 and two more harvests are planned for 2010 and 2012. Much of the young
Norway spruce planted in the 1980s will be ready for first thinning in the 2011-2105 period. This area will also be managed
in the long term using continuous cover forestry techniques. Areas of broadleaf will also be thinned to promote stem
quality, growth and natural regeneration of the forest.
Replanting
The small groups of Norway spruce being felled are being replaced by native oak and ash. Natural regeneration of other
native species is also encouraged to promote stand diversity and a multi-storey forest.
Page 4 of 17
Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
Current forest statistics
LAND USE TYPE
GROSS AREA (HA)
BHF
Broadleaf High Forest
CHF
Conifer High Forest
65
MHF
Mixed conifer & broadleaf H.F.
46
MISC
Miscellaneous
4
WATER
Lake, river, Resevoir etc
2
BAREPL
Bare plantable
1
124
Total gross area (Ha)
242
Page 5 of 17
Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
Social & Environmental Impact Assessment
Coillte's Social and Environmental Impact Assesment (SEIA) is the means by which we document the
potential threats to the forest and its environment from our activities or the activities of others and our
approach to reducing the risk of damage.
We asked for submissions from the public at our pre-planning consultation stage and this is where
each issue should be dealt with. In some cases we will not have been able to implement all
suggestions in full but you should be able to see the reasons why, in the interests of balance, an
alternative course of action was taken.
The item labelled 'DSP Ref' refers to a District Strategic Plan which sets in context how Company
policy is implemented at ground-level in some of these areas. The District Strategic Plans for each
District are found at :
http://www.coillte.ie/forests/plans/district_strategic_plans/
Topic:
Amenity/Recreation
Topic_consultation
Tir na Mona, Friends of the Forest,
9/11 Memorial Committee, Kildare Co
Co, KELT, visitor survey (2007)
Issue details
Objections to development proposals
Damage to trails, signage, facilities
Injury to visitors, accidents
Accidents, conflict between users
Injury to visitors, visitors frightened by dogs not on leash
Dog mess in the park
DSP_ref
3.6.1, 3.6.2, 3.6.
Impact rating
HIGH
Risk mitigation
Consulation with local community groups on proposed
development of facilities
Involvement of local community groups and interest groups
in development of park
Signage explaining upcoming works
Co-operation with local county council, community groups
Visitor survey to see what visitors want when they visit the
park (conducted sumer 2007)
Ongoing maintenance of facilities
Keep park locked at night
Mark trails clearly on maps, show operators trails on
ground
Use brash to cross paths and remove when operation
complete
use of designated haulage routes
Regular safety check of park facilities
Erect signs where hazards are present if not able to remove
or make safe
Recommend appropriate footwear,grading of trails
Issue HIRA to all group activities, ensure permit and
insurance in place
Make sure all organised activities have a permit and
appropriate insurance cover, first aid
Issue HIRA with all permits
Make sure no conflict between organised activities and
other users
Erect signs stating dogs should be kept on a leash
Consult with dog warden - free pass to access park in place
Ask visitors to clean up after their dog
Page 6 of 17
Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
Topic:
Chemical use
Topic_consultation
Issue details
Damage to flora, water
Topic:
Community Projects
Topic_consultation
Tir na Mona, Friends of the Forest,
KELT, Kildare co Co
Issue details
Involvement of local community in management and
development of park (restoratio of castle proposal)
Topic:
Coupe size
Topic_consultation
Local community groups
Issue details
Disturbance to landscape in high amenity area
Topic:
Impact rating
MEDIUM
Risk mitigation
Limit use of chemicals in the park where possible - manual
cleaning of young plots
If necessary ensure operators are fully trained
Use glyphosate only
Maintain buffer zones with water courses
Dispose of empties correctly
DSP_ref
3.6.1, 3.6.2
Impact rating
HIGH
Risk mitigation
Consultation and involvement of local community in
development of park
Ask community group to put together their ideas, sources of
funding, etc.
DSP_ref
3.3, 3.1.1
Impact rating
HIGH
Risk mitigation
Practice continusous cover forestry techniques where
possible - small coupe felling, etc.
Erect signs to let public know what is going on
Careful felling and extraction in sensitive site such as
Donadea
Dumping
Topic_consultation
Issue details
Visual eyesore, pollution
Topic:
DSP_ref
3.1.6
Habitat impact
Topic_consultation
John Fennessy (Coford), Pat Doody
(Nurseries), Forest Service, NPWS
Issue details
Damage to registered seed tree stands
DSP_ref
3.1.7.6
Impact rating
HIGH
Risk mitigation
Promote leave no trace policy
Daily clean up of rubbish in park by forest worker/KELT
worker
Regular disposal of rubbish (O'Hagan Waste current
contractor)
Encourage and ensure visitors to clean up rubbbish after
events, etc
DSP_ref
3.4
Impact rating
HIGH
Risk mitigation
Notify appropriate people of operations in seed stands
Careful marking of timber durign thinning operations
Do not damage seed trees - ensure machine operator aware
felling in seed stand, fell away from seed trees
Page 7 of 17
Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
Topic:
Harvesting
Topic_consultation
Visitors to park
Issue details
Injury to visitors in the park
Topic:
Landscape impact
Topic_consultation
Issue details
Medium landscape sensitivity site - disturbance to sensitive
landscape
Topic:
Local heritage
Topic_consultation
Issue details
Damage to historical features in the park - castle, ice-house,
boat house, walled garden, walled streams, church
Topic:
Rights of way
Topic_consultation
Local residents with ROW (Lime Tree
Avenue, and other access points)
Issue details
Dispute over standard of ROW - Lime Tree Avenue
Topic:
DSP_ref
3.1.3, 3.1.1
Impact rating
MEDIUM
Risk mitigation
Erect signage, hazard signage
Temporary closure of paths if necessary
Do not stack timber too high, erect signs, do not let timber
lie in park
DSP_ref
3.3
Impact rating
MEDIUM
Risk mitigation
Follow landscape design plan and best landscape design
principles
Small scale felling
Maintain current mix of species (64% broadleaf, 36%
conifer)
DSP_ref
3.5.1, 3.5.2
Impact rating
HIGH
Risk mitigation
Protect historical features from operations
Fell trees away
Keep machinery away from features
Protect features as much as possible - remove ivy where
safe to do so
DSP_ref
Impact rating
MEDIUM
Risk mitigation
Main users should maintain ROW to adequate standard to
ensure safe passage
Coillte to ensure trees are safe - aboriculture survey
completed in 2000, schedule another survey in 2009/2010
Ensure visitors to park to do not block access to resident's
house
Trespass
Topic_consultation
Issue details
Damage to trails, open grass areas, damage to trees
DSP_ref
Impact rating
MEDIUM
Risk mitigation
Ensure boundary fences, walls are secure
Explain onus on boundary neighbour to keep his fences in
good repair
Remove trespassing animals to pound if problem persists
Maintain good relationship with neighbours
Page 8 of 17
Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
Topic:
Unauthorised land use
Topic_consultation
Issue details
Injury to park visitors and to perpetrator
Damage to trails and open grass areas
DSP_ref
3.1.7.4,
Impact rating
MEDIUM
Risk mitigation
Erect signs to state motorbikes, quads, horses, cycling are
not permitted in park
Examine possibility of building designated off road cycling
trail
Speed ramps erected on entrance way and car park
keep barrier locked
Page 9 of 17
Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
Forest Management Plan Summary
Thinning
Thinning, whereby a portion of the trees are removed at successive stages prior to clearfell, is a
desirable practice when aiming to grow quality timber. This table shows the maximum total area
which may be scheduled for thinning during the period of this plan in each of the Coillte forest
properties in this forest. This level of thinning would mark a significant increase over previous years
and is purely an indicative, aspirational level. Please note that Coillte forest property names do not
alway follow townland names or boundaries.
Potential thinning areas
FOREST PROPERTY
DEMESNE
THINNING AREA (HA)
591
Total
591
Page 10 of 17
Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
Management Objective
Coillte's estate is managed on a multi-objective basis, where an attempt is made to balance the
pursuit of economic returns, environmental protection and enhancement and social returns like
landscape protection and employment. Rather than attempting to achieve a perfect balance on every
site we recognise that some sites have a greater potential than others in pursuing different
objectives. To this end, we nominate a principal objective for each site. This categorisation for this
forest is outlined below.
Management Objective
Biodiversity
Biodiversity sub-objective
Habitat enhancement
Habitat protection
Conservation
Habitat protection
Non-forest commercial
Recreation
AREA (HA)
140
70
15
1
5
1
11
242
Total
Page 11 of 17
Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
Constraint or secondary objective
This graph shows the forest area categorised by the principal constraint or, in many cases,
secondary objective being pursued on each site.
MANAGEMENT CONSTRAINT
ESB or other transmission line
Old Woodland Site
Recreation site
Statutory Designation
MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE
Non-forest commercial
Biodiversity
Conservation
Recreation
Biodiversity
Conservation
AREA (HA)
1
70
5
11
154
1
242
Total
Page 12 of 17
Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
Silvicultural System
This graph shows the forest area categorised by the silvicultural system employed on each site.
SILVICULTURAL SYSTEM
Clearfell
Continuous cover forestry
Long Term Retention
N/A
MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE
Biodiversity
Biodiversity
Conservation
Conservation
Non-forest commercial
Recreation
Total
AREA (HA)
72
153
1
5
1
11
242
Page 13 of 17
Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
Felling areas
This graph shows the total area which is scheduled to be felled in each 5 year period shown. This is
based on a summation of site-by-site plans where an indicative fell year is given.
AREA (HA)
Period total:
Page 14 of 17
Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
Regeneration plans
This graph shows the forest area categorised by the method of restocking to be used for each site.
REGENERATION METHOD
Low impact regeneration
Natural regeneration broadleaves
No replanting
Planting
MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE
Biodiversity
Biodiversity
Conservation
Non-forest commercial
Recreation
Biodiversity
Conservation
Total
AREA (HA)
74
135
5
1
11
15
1
242
Page 15 of 17
Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
Species diversification
This graph shows how the total forest area occupied by different species groupings and open space
will develop in this forest over time. This is calculated using the current inventory of what species is
growing on each site, when the site will be felled, and what has been chosen as the successor crop
in this Forest Management Plan.
Year
Broadleaf
2008
59.7
Fir
1.4
Larch
0.1
Open
5.6
Other conifers
2.4
Other vegetation
0.0
Pine
0.0
Scrub
0.0
Spruce
24.5
Water
0.9
2010
53.1
1.4
0.1
4.9
2.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
13.3
0.9
2015
63.0
1.0
0.1
25.4
1.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
8.3
0.9
2020
61.0
0.0
0.0
35.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.9
2025
63.5
0.0
0.0
35.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.9
2030
63.5
0.0
0.0
35.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.9
2035
63.5
0.0
0.0
35.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.9
2040
63.5
0.0
0.0
35.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.9
Page 16 of 17
Donadea Forest (KE06) Forest Management Plan
Crop type diversification
Displayed below is a chart showing the development of "crop type" which is a site-by-site
categorisation of each Management Unit. For example, a block of forest which is 70% conifer and
30% broadleaf will be reported as "Conifer/Broadleaf mix".
Crop type Area (Ha) in each period
2008
Broadleaf
General Biodiversi
Open
Open/Conifer/Broa
Total
2010
2015
2020
2025
2030
2035
2040
1.23
1.23
1.23
0.00
1.23
1.23
1.23
1.23
229.56
229.56
229.56
229.56
229.56
229.56
229.56
229.56
11.26
11.26
11.26
11.26
11.26
11.26
11.26
11.26
0.00
0.00
0.00
1.23
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
242.04
242.04
242.04
242.04
242.04
242.04
242.04
242.04
Page 17 of 17