The 'Talking Hardwoods' 2017 event, which brings together forest owners with broadleaf tree species in their forest plantations and the hardwood industry, has officially opened in Cork.

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Andrew Doyle, opened the event at the Firgrove Hotel in Mitchelstown.

-- Advertisement --

Minister Doyle said: "Broadleaves represent a very significant proportion of the forest estate, estimated at just over 25%. Given their value, their longer growing cycle and different management requirements, it is timely for this event to focus specifically on issues for broadleaf growers. I would particularly like to commend Teagasc on organising it.

"The message for owners is that the higher the quality of timber, the more valuable and attractive it will be to the timber purchasers and end-users."

(CD)