Indicative Forest Strategy
'The right trees in the right places'
The Indicative Forest Strategy provides high-level, national guidance in relation to the suitability of land for afforestation and facilitates the establishment of high quality forests serving a variety of purposes including timber production, enhancement of the environment, mitigation of climate change, forest industry development, creation of alternative off farm incomes and opportunities for tourism and amenity use.
The Indicative Forest Strategy is a GIS based system that identifies areas most suitable for planting primarily on the basis of environmental considerations and soil-productivity. The map-based environmental constraints have been supplied from a variety of state organisations, such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Fisheries Boards, the EPA and the local authorities. The forest productivity map was compiled in co-operation with Teagasc and is based on soils and elevation, displaying the potential rate of growth for trees throughout the country.
The various categories described in the IFS are described below.
| Colour in Policy Map | Policy Category Description |
| Green | Land where no constraints on new woodland development exists and where a wide range of forestry objectives can be achieved, subject to compliance with the Code of Best Forest Practice and associated Forest Service guidelines etc. |
| Yellow | Areas with potential for woodland development (but where consultation with prescribed bodies is necessary). |
| Light Brown | Consultation with prescribed bodies and public consultation is required. These areas would include, for example, Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), National Heritage Areas (NHAs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Some limited afforestation may be permitted if such development is considered suitable for enhancement of the area by the NPWS. |
| Dark Brown | These areas would include for example, urban areas, waterbodies (lakes, reservoirs etc), areas under the Forest Service forest productivity threshold i.e. Yield Class 14. |
It is envisaged that the Indicative Forest Strategy will be available in mid 2008.
For further information, please contact:
Frank Barrett,
Forest Service,
Johnstown Castle Estate,
Co. Wexford
Tel: 053 9160217
Email: frank.barrett@agriculture.gov.ie
