New Book Review Published in Scottish Forestry Journal

A Milestone for Irish CCF

The article emphasises that while Ireland and Scotland share similarly young, conifer-dominated forest estates, Ireland’s two decades of practitioner-led CCF development, supported by Pro Silva Ireland, have now culminated in the country’s first dedicated technical handbook for implementing continuous cover forestry.

Wilson highlights the guide’s:

• Clear explanations of CCF principles, framed not as ‘non-clear-felling’ but as management that works with natural processes within a permanent forest structure.
• Detailed practical guidance, including tree assessment, crown thinning, tree marking, operational planning and the integration of biodiversity considerations.
• Innovative chapter on CCF establishment, offering pathways for the creation of mixed-species stands with long-term CCF objectives.
• Field sheets and protocols, such as the Irish Tree Marking Standard for CCF Thinning Operations and guidance on identifying and retaining bio trees.
• Emphasis on measurement and monitoring, supporting adaptive, long-term decision-making in changing conditions.

Relevance Beyond Ireland

Importantly, the review stresses the guide’s direct relevance to forestry practitioners in Scotland and other Atlantic regions, demonstrating that CCF is both achievable and effective in forests dominated by Sitka spruce and other fast-growing species. Wilson recommends the book as

“the most relevant guidance for practitioners in Scotland at the present time.”

A Shared Path Forward

The review concludes with appreciation for the guide’s honest, forward-looking reflection on the evolution of CCF in Ireland—emphasising collaboration, learning from the forest and reintegrating native species to enhance stability and biodiversity. It positions the publication as a significant step forward for resilient, multifunctional forestry in both Ireland and neighbouring countries.