Pro Silva Ireland
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Autumn Field Day and AGM

CCF Management in Mixed Woodlands: Balancing Production and Biodiversity

Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026

Time: 10.30am-4pm

Registration from 10am

Location: Ballykilcavan Farm, Stradbally, Co. Laois 

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Join Pro Silva Ireland for our Autumn Field Day and AGM at Ballykilcavan Farm, Co. Laois, where we will explore the opportunities and practical challenges of managing mixed woodlands for timber production while supporting biodiversity.

Ballykilcavan has a long history of woodland management and was one of the first estates in Ireland to adopt Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF). Pro Silva Ireland held its Spring Field Day here in 2008, making this year’s visit a valuable opportunity to return to this notable woodland and see how the stands and their management have developed over the past 18 years.

Topics covered

During the day, we will visit mixed stands at a range of stages of development and discuss the management decisions being made within them. These will include:

 

  • A 33-year-old oak stand with a mixture of other broadleaves and conifers, which is also an AFI monitoring woodland, sponsored by Irish Distillers;
  • Recently thinned mixed stands of Sitka spruce, Douglas fir and broadleaves, where we will look at steps in the transformation to CCF;
  • An early Native Woodland Conservation Scheme site, 20 years after the significant removal of non-native trees, and the lessons learned;
  • A 30-year-old reforestation area, restocked with Douglas fir, Japanese larch and mixed broadleaves, that has recently undergone its first thinning intervention; and
  • The challenges of managing invasive cherry laurel.
Ballykilcavan, P. Purser

About Ballykilcavan

The woodlands at Ballykilcavan, owned by the Walsh-Kemmis family, are notable for their biodiversity and conservation value. Parts of the property fall within the River Barrow and River Nore SACs (Special Areas of Conservation) and the Stradbally Hill pNHA (proposed Natural Heritage Area).

The wider estate demonstrates the many functions of a working forest and farm. Ballykilcavan have hosted research into wildlife and forest carbon, while two stands are used for long-term CCF monitoring under AFI and ISN (Irregular Silviculture Network) protocols. The estate is also home to Ballykilcavan Brewery and has hosted a range of public and community events, including Farming for Nature, the Nourish & Flow Wellness Festival and South African Gathering Ireland.

The day will provide plenty of opportunity to discuss the benefits and challenges of managing diverse, productive woodlands while balancing timber production, biodiversity, research and wider social functions.

Practical information

The Pro Silva Ireland AGM will take place during the lunch break.

What to bring

This is a fully field-based workshop, so participants should come prepared to spend the day outdoors. Please bring a packed lunch and wear suitable clothing and sturdy footwear appropriate for the weather and forest conditions.

Registration

We ask that you registration in advance to help us plan for numbers.

ALL ARE WELCOME

REGISTER NOW