Green Belt Services & Grants

Green Belt provides a full management service for all our clients. Whether you established your forestry with us, have an existing forest or are now considering becoming involved in forestry, we can guide you through the necessary applications to make the most of your forest.

Green Belt source, acquire and manage these plantations on your behalf.

A forest thrives under constant and consistent professional management. From initial establishment and seeking approval from the Forest Service, through to silvicultural maintenance with thinning and harvesting, to clearfell or continuous cover forestry, Green Belt's expert foresters are located nationally to support your forest activities.

Forestry Grants

	Forestry Establishment Grant & Premiums Forestry establishment is covered by a full, exchequer backed grant. This is to encourage further planting nationally to increase the national cover from below 11% to 18%. Find out more.
	Woodland Improvement Scheme Hardwoods are an integral part of the national estate. Developing a hardwood plantation can be challenging, but the woodland improvement scheme is designed to enhance your broadleaf plantations. There are two occasions this can be applied for. Find out more. woodlandimprovementschemeed2190315.pdf
	Native Woodland Scheme Native Woodland Establishment (as represented by Grant & Premium Categories (GPCs) 9 and 10 under the Afforestation Grant & Premium Scheme)funds the establishment of new native woodland on open ‘greenfield’ sites. Find out more. nativewoodlandestablishmentscheme.pdf
	Road Grants Forest roads are essential to develop sustainable access to your forest as it matures. A grant which covers approximately 80% of construction costs, is offered to allow a high standard of road to be built and developed into the plantation. Find out more. forestroadsschemeed2190315.pdf
	Tree Felling As part of the forestry experience, harvesting events occur through the lifetime of the platation to develop a plantation to its maximum potential. To facilitate this, a felling licence is required. This licence needs to be completed ideally with the assistance of a professional forester. Find out more.
	Agroforestry This measure will be targeted at silvopastoral agro-forestry systems which combine forestry and pasture. A stocking rate of 400 - 1000 trees per hectare (equal spacing) is acceptable and the minimum eligible plot size will be 0.50ha and tree-to-tree width of 20 metres. Find out more.
	Forestry for Fibre This scheme is introduced to provide further supply to the biomass market. Species such as Poplar is promoted and is required to be grown for at least 10 years. Poplar enjoys 15 years of premiums at €510 per hectare. Find out more.
	Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback Chalara fraxinea, known as ash dieback disease, is a relatively newly described fungal disease of ash which was first named in 2006 and has spread rapidly across much of Europe, with the majority of European countries where ash is present now reporting the disease. Find out more. reconstitutionschemechalaraed2190315.pdf

There are strong considerations taken into account when establishing a forest and these require careful navigation to ensure compliance with all bodies, including legal and environmental such as NPWS. Full respect is afforded to watercourses, natural habitats, wildlife protection and so on, so that your forest is at least as responsible as you would like it to be.

The best assistance for your applications is your local forester. They can speak with you, and meet with you (subject to Covid regulations of course) to assess the best route for your plantation.

Green Belt Services for Existing Forestry Estates

	Forestry Management Plan Green Belt has developed a Four Year Forestry Management Contract which is specifically designed for farmers. The company will undertake to establish a forest for the farmer utilising the grant paid by the Forest Service. Read more about this service.
	Site Preparation Once the objectives of the new forest have been considered and species to be planted selected, it is time to begin the practical side of the site development. Read more about this service.
	Thinning & Harvesting Thinning is an essential maintenance procedure for forests and it will enhance the future growth and production of your plantation towards clearfell. Thinning is the removal of a proportion of the trees in a crop. Read more about this service.
	Timber Marketing Marketing is the process of selling timber to obtain its true fair market value. Achieving a reasonable financial return on a timber investment depends on many factors. Read more about this service.
	Panama Teak Investment Green Belt is returning to Panama following a successful sale of its AUM in 2013. The target is to acquire over 5 years, plant and manage 2,400 hectares of Teak and seek an exit after 10 years. Returns are forecast as 7% - 8% compounded per annum. Read more about this service.
	Planting After the initial ground preparation and site development it is possible to proceed with the planting of the site. Read more about this service.
	Treament of Ash Dieback Disease The removal and destruction of trees and leaf litter affected by the disease and the reconstitution of the forest with an alternative species to Ash must be undertaken in strict compliance with the Sanitation Action Plan approved by the Department. Read more about this service.
	Wood Chipping Services Green Belt set up Irish Woodchipping Services in 2008. Irish Woodchipping Service chip on contract and also buy, chip and sell forest material from the forest estate. Read more about this service.

Get in touch with Green Belt Head Office to discuss work on existing plantations Freephone 1800 200 233 or Tel: +353 49 854 8000

Our network of professional foresters located nationally are perfectly placed to source opportunities suitable for you and to manage your investment through to clearfell and beyond.