Ireland - Q&A

Q. Will it cost me anything?
A. No - in all but a very small percentage of cases the grants paid by the Forest Service will cover all the costs involved.

Q. Will Green Belt do all the work?
A. Yes - our 4yr management contract covers all aspects for establishing a successful forest on your land.

Q. What will my annual income from forestry amount to?
A. For farmers the premium paid ranges from €159 to €202 per acre per annum depending on the quality of the site

Q. How many years will the forestry premiums be paid to me?
A. Twenty years

Q. Who owns the trees?
A. The participant in the scheme or their beneficiaries in the case of death.

Q. What work is there to do after the four years are over and who will carry out the necessary jobs?
A. When the four years are up you will be left with a fully established plantation, hence no work will be needed. We will stay on and manage your plantation right up to clearfell if you so wish.

Q. When will I get my first premium?
A. Approximately 8 weeks after the trees are planted

Q. After decoupling, how will it affect my entitlements if I go into forestry?
A. Talk to us in Green Belt and we will advise you on how to maximise your entitlements. Decoupling has opened up opportunities for many people to go into forestry.

Q. Why go with Green Belt ?
A. Becoming lreland's largest private forestry company is a testament to our dedicated work force. Most of our new clients are referred to us by satisfied customers.

Q. I am in REPS does that rule me out?
A. No, if you are in REPS you can now go into forestry without any clawbacks

Q. What happens when the twenty years of premium payment are over?
A. You will start getting an income from your conifers through thinnings at years 15/17 approx. , subsequent thinnings will be more valuable - for clearfell values see the next question.

Q. What will the trees be worth when they are harvested?
A. A well managed conifer plantation harvested today should bring in €6,500 to €8,000 per acre. Broadleaves are more valuable but take longer to mature

Q. Can I go into forestry and still participate in the ERS?
A. Yes - talk to us and we will advise you.

Q. I am a part time farmer will that affect my premiums?
A. Only if your farming income is less than 25% of your total income in one of 3yrs prior to planting. A spouse may qualify

Q. Are the premiums index linked?
A. No, but there have been several premium increases since the scheme started

Q. Can I sell the land if it is planted?
A. Green Belt will undertake to sell any plantation it establishes if required.

Q. What happens if there is a fire?
A. You are automatically insured against fire during our initial 4yrs management. You can insure your forest subsequently at a nominal rate.

Q. Who will do the thinning of my plantation and what will the thinnings be worth?
A. Your local Green Belt Forester can draw up a thinning and valuation plan for you and organize for all of the necessary works to be carried out.

Q. How long will it take the trees to reach the stage when they are cut down?
A. A conifer crop 30 to 35 yrs. Ash / Sycamore 40 to 50 yrs. Oak / Beech 90 to 100 yrs.

Q. What does tax free really mean and will it affect my tax bands?
A. No Income tax payable. Your Tax bands will not be affected.

Q. Do I have to declare my forestry income to the revenue commissioners?
A. Yes - this is a normal procedure for most people

Q. Are there any Green Belt plantations in my area?
A. One of our strengths is that there are Green Belt plantations in every corner of Ireland - we can show you examples of our work within easy reach of where you live.

Q. What type of forestry would be suitable for my land?
A. An inspection of your site will enable us to show you the range of trees that would be suitable.

Q. What happens to the Forestry Premium if I die before the twenty years are over?
A. Your forestry premium can pass on to one of your family, provided they are over 18yrs of age. They will not need to have a farming income to qualify.

Q. Will another company give me a higher premium?
A. No - the Forestry Premiums are governed by Forest Service rules.

Q. If I have commonage can it be planted?
A. Yes - if you can get the other holders to agree to plant also.

“With over 25 years forest management experience and with over 170,000 acres under active management, Green Belt Ltd. is Ireland’s largest private Forest management company”

For more information on Green Belt’s attractive Timberland Investment opportunities, contact Green Belt here - or by telephone at 049 - 854 8000