| Ireland remains the least forested country in the European Union. The national forest estate stands at approx. 650,000 ha. This represents 9% of Ireland's total geographical area, compared to the 33% average throughout the other EU Member-States. With the favourable climatic conditions for tree growth in Ireland the land area under trees is due to increase year on year for the foreseeable future. |
| -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
| Fertiliser Application |
| -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
| General |
|
Apply fertiliser manually after cultivation to afforestation sites avoiding drains, buffer zones, and areas within 20 metres of aquatic zones and waterlogged areas. It should not be applied during or immediately after periods of heavy rainfall. It is best applied in early summer and not outside the period April to August. Later application of fertiliser should be undertaken following a prescription resulting from an analysis of foliar samples. Observe the Forestry and Water Quality Guidelines.
|
| -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
| Phosphate requirements for forestry. |
|
There are 2 products which can be used to satisfy the Phosphate requirements of forestry. |
| 1. For slow release Phosphate use G.R.P. Ground Rock Phosphate (12% Phosphate) |
| 2. For faster release Granuphos can be used at (11.5% Phosphate, 32.2% Calcium, 7.2% Magnesium and slag-based trace elements). |
| Or a combination of both of these products can be used.
|
| Site Type |
Use
G.R.P.
Ground Rock
Phosphate
Or
Granuphos
( Evenly Distributed (Kg/ha) ) |
|---|
| Enclosed / improved fields
recently worked
|
None |
| Former agriculture land
not recently worked
| 250 Kg/ha |
| Unenclosed Land |
350 Kg/ha
On very poor
sites, two applications may be necessary:
- 350 Kg/ha at establishment
- A second application of 250 Kg/ha
as required
|
|
Special
care needs
to be taken
on peat soils
because peat
has a very
poor ability
to bind or
fix phosphate.
Phosphate
should not
be applied
on soils
that have
a pH of 6
or greater
as it is
ineffective
on these
soils.
Do not apply to waterlogged ground or in periods of heavy rainfall. Only apply during the period April to August.
|
| -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
| Potassium |
| Midland fen peats normally under grass often require potassium for successful tree growth (the midlands in this context corresponds roughly with the area of the central plain). Potassium is supplied as MURIATE OF POTASH at 250 kg/ha. All fertiliser should be applied broadcast and evenly distributed. |
