IRISH TREES AND FORESTSA project by 4th and 5th class

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

Coillte TeorantaThe word “coillte” means woodlands70% of all Irish forests are owned by coilte. Leitrim is suitable for the growing of trees

due to its damp soil conditions.

Coniferous trees

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

straight awayThe Sitka Spruce is the most common

coniferous tree in Leitrim.Examples of coniferous trees are the Noble

Fir, the Douglas Fir, the Lodgepole Pine and the Scots Pine.

Sitka Spruce

Sitka spruceThe Sitka Spruce is a coniferous treeTheir timber is used for fences, roofing, floors

and toolsSitka spruce is used for firewood and woodpellets

for burnersSaw dust from the sitka spruce is used for the

bedding of livestockThe Sitka Spruce is the most common tree

planted by state forestry, Coillte.The violin is made of spruce.

Deciduous Trees

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

soft woodMost of them are native to Ireland like

oak,ash and birchSome non-native broadleaf trees are beech

and hornbeam.

BirchBirch trees may grow in pairs or clusters They grow in peaty soils Birch nutlets are small and grown in a coneThe Silver Birch is a common tree in Ireland.Other types of birch are the yellow birch,

river birch, sweet birch and gray birch

Ash tree

Ash treesAsh is a hard wood treeAsh wood is hard strong and is used in the

making of a shovel ,hoe and rake handles.In Ireland ash is used in the making of

hurleysHurling game is better known as the’’clash of

the ash’The tallest ash tree is an Ash near Clonmel. It

is forty metres tall

Foresters

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

disease and fire.The foresters preserve wildlife and

supervise grazing, he helps to guard the forest.

He or she helps supervise at camping sites and picnic areas.

Our local forest is DerrycarneOur local foresters are Andy Duffy and

John Harte.

OAK

THE OAK TREEThe oak is a broadleaf tree.The oak timber produced is hard wood.The oak is a native tree to Ireland.The vikings used oak wood to build their

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

Habitats in the forest

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

shrubs.3. The ground layer with flowering plants and

animals.4. Leaf litter with dead leaves and animals

such as earthworms and hedgehogs.

Timber

Fencing and wood usesWood is used for fencing on farms and

motorwaysThese fences are for keeping cattle of the

motorwayFences are made from oak,dougles fir,larch

and pine.Wood is used for poles to carry

e.s.b ,telephone wires.Fences and gates are made in different types

of way

Firewood and energy(products)Wood is a renewable source of energy

because it can grow quicklyTimber produces 30% more heat than fossils

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

products like tables chairs and sleigh beds instruments and shelves

We hope you enjoyed our project!