Name two species of coniferous trees grown in Irish forests - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question a - 2013

Tree planting in a commercial forest involves several key features:

1. Selection of Healthy Plants: It is essential to choose robust seedlings that can thrive in the local environment.
2. Fencing Off Land: This protects young trees from herbivores that may feed on them.
3. Creating Mounds: Mounding can improve drainage and root aeration, promoting healthier growth.
4. Proper Spacing: Trees are typically planted with a spacing of 2m x 2m, allowing for adequate space as each tree can reach around 4m² of area, supporting about 2500 trees per hectare.

Weeds must be controlled around trees because they:

• Reduce Competition: Weeds compete for essential resources such as water, nutrients, and sunlight, which can hinder the growth of young trees.
• Impact Growth: Weeds can physically obstruct the growth of younger, smaller trees.

To control weeds, methods include:

• Spraying with Herbicides: This method selectively targets weeds without harming the trees.
• Cutting: Manual or mechanical cutting can effectively remove weeds.
• Trampling: Using machinery or foot traffic can help suppress weed growth by damaging their structure.

Trees are thinned in commercial forests for several reasons:

1. Removes Poorer Trees: Thinning allows for the removal of less healthy or slower-growing trees, improving overall forest health.
2. Increased Space: Thinning provides remaining trees with more space to grow, reducing competition for resources.
3. Improved Growth: The remaining trees grow better with less competition for water and nutrients.
4. Source of Income: Thinning can provide useful products, contributing to economic returns.
5. Improved Access: Thinning can enhance access for forest management activities and harvesting.
6. Create Roadways: Thinnings can also be strategically planned to create access roads for forestry operations.