1. Benefits of Forests

2. Benefits of Forests Enjoyable forest walks and woodland trails.
Woodland and Forests provide habitats for insects and animals.
Renewable source of fuel energy
Provide oxygen and reduce carbon dioxide.
Provide fruit, nuts, bark, oil and other products
Provide material for paper and manufactured boards.
Used for furniture making and construction

3. Forests There are two types of forests: -Natural and Managed forests.
Coillte manages Ireland’s forests
The Department of Agriculture regulates forestry in Ireland.

4. Natural Forests
Rainforests are the most common type of natural forest.
These are found in tropical regions where the climate is hot & damp.
The largest areas of natural forest in Ireland is kerry and wicklow

5. Managed Forests Afforestation is the planting of forests.
Ireland is one of the least planted countries in the EU with only 10%

6. Stages in a Managed Forest

7. Stages in a Managed Forest
Draining the land and fencing the area.
Planting of young trees- trees are grown in nurseries for three years, trees are planted close to one another.
Thinning- 15 yrs on trees are thinned. Thinning is the cutting of the smaller trees and branches to allow the stronger trees to mature. Thinnings are used for fuel wood pellets, chipboard, OSB, MDF, fencing

8. Stages in a Managed Forest
Harvesting yrs as conifers grow fast, trees of the same age are cut down by clear felling.
Clear felling- is the complete removal of a forest when the trees have reached the required maturity. It is economical but it leaves large areas of poor, bare land which has a negative affect on the wildlife

9. Stages in a Managed Forest
Second Rotation- When all trees are removed the ground is replanted with the same trees usually.
Transportation- the tree is cut to length and branches removed, these logs are brought to conversion yards.

10. Stages in a Managed Forest

11. Timber regions of the World

12. Northern Coniferous Belt
Climate conditions are very cold and harsh, coniferous trees are ideally suited to this area.
Examples: Larch, Birch, Douglas Fir, Sitka Spruce

13. Northern Template Belt
Climate is mild and the soil conditions are good, consists of both coniferous and deciduous trees however not many large forest areas
Examples: Oak, Ash, Maple Sitka spruce

14. Tropical Rainforests
Climate has high rainfall and high temperature. Growth happens all year round due to closeness to the equator.
Examples: Mahogany, Balsa, Ebony, Teak

15. Southern Temperate Belt
Climate is mild and seasonal, consists of both coniferous and deciduous trees
Examples: Oak, Beech Parana Pine, Eucalyptus

16. Deforestation
Deforestation is the felling of large forest areas without replanting the trees cut down
Timber is a renewable resource only when it is managed properly and trees replanted when cut down
Deforestation of rainforests affects climate temperature, ocean currents and oxygen levels
It is estimated areas the size of Ireland are been lost each year

17. Reasons for Deforestation
Agriculture- Large areas cleared for farming and ranching (slash and burn technique)
Human population- as population grows cities and roads are built on cut down forests.
Need- High demand for tropical hardwood
Fuel- Natives of some regions use timber as an economical source of fuel for heating and cooking
Logging & wood products- Commercial interests of large multi-national and local logging companies

18. Effects of Deforestation

19. Effects of Deforestation
Slash and burning methods kill all animals, birds and insects causing many to become extinct
Burning of trees contributes to air pollution
Reduces the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere
Effects the weather and global climate
Increases soil erosion in deforested areas
Native tribes are removed from their homes
Flooding – as trees consume large amounts of water their removal can cause the water table to rise

20. Effects of Deforestation

21. Preventing Deforestation
Use native woods where possible
Only use tropical woods that are grown in sustainable forests (FSC labelled)
Where possible use manufactured boards rather than solid tropical hardwoods
Try to recycle wood and wood products - paper

22. Conversion of Timber
Conversion of timber is the name given to the process of cutting logs into various timber sizes.
Conversion
-allows timber to dry faster
-gives wood a usuable size and shape
-allows quality of timber to be seen
3 methods to converting logs:
-Through and through sawing
-Quarter sawing
-Tangential sawing

23. Through and Through sawing
Also known as Plain or Slash sawing
Simplest, quickest and most commonly used.
Log placed in a roller and a bandsaw usually cuts the wood

24. Through and Through sawing
Advantages
-quick easy and low cost.
-maximum width of planks obtained
-little waste
-reveals an attractive grain pattern
Disadvantages
-some outer boards are sapwood so they are weaker
-boards tend to warp when drying
-not suitable for structural timber

25. Quarter sawing This method displays an attractive grain figure.
Shows distinct silver grain.

26. Quarter sawing Advantages -an attractive grain pattern
-growth rings are short which means less distoration during drying
-boards more even and hard wearing
Disadvantages
-expensive, log is first quatered and turned for every cut, labour intensive.
-boards are not as wide as plain sawed boards.

27. Tangential sawing Widely used in the USA
Log is sawn so that the width of the board is tangential to the growth rings
Timber converted this way will highlight the flame figure shown.

28. Tangential sawing Advantages
-boards of heartwood and sapwood are easily separated.
-knots appear circular on the face and less structural defects.
-if the pith is decayed it can be easily boxed out.
-boards are structurally strong and suitable for floor joists.
Disadvantages
-an expensive method of conversion
-outer timbers prone to warping