The species composition of Coillte's forests is the result of past forest policy which confined plantations to soils and sites that were generally marginal, or unsuited, to agriculture. High exposure and wet nutrient deficient soils, combined with the need to create a productive timber resource in a post-war era, limited the choice of species mostly to conifers from Northwest America. Times and economic circumstances have changed, and while there is still a need to create an economically sustainable forest resource, better quality land and a better knowledge of site potential create new opportunities for diversifying the species composition of future crops. The process of diversification began several years ago with a steady reduction in the planting of Sitka spruce from 86% in 1993 to 66% in 2000. These reductions have been made up by increases in the planting of larch, Norway spruce and broadleaves.

It is our policy to:

• Match species to appropriate sites to ensure good survival, and healthy and productive growth of the forest estate (Right trees in the right places);
• Use a range of conifer and broadleaf tree species to achieve the requirements of the draft national FSC Standards for Ireland, but to continue to plant Sitka spruce as the main species up to a maximum of 65%, reducing to 60% over the forest estate;
• Follow the Forest Service guidelines with regard to species diversity on afforestation sites;
• Increasingly extend species diversification to reforestation sites in a manner which is silvicultural and ecologically sound and which will ensure the attainment of an identified critical mass for minor species;
• Encourage the planting of mixed species stands where appropriate to reduce perceived risks associated with monocultures and enhance environmental and landscape values;
• Continue to aim for an overall corporate target of 10% broadleaves in annual plantings while ensuring that commercially important broadleaves are planted on sites which will produce quality timber; and
• Use home collected seed for native species when available. If local seed is not available then seed from registered seed stands of recommended sources is used.

Our Progress

Currently, the species composition of each of our Forest Management Units is being examined and plans are being put in place to shift the current species composition towards the requirements in the draft National FSC Standards for Ireland. As with restructuring and forest design, changing the species composition will take time. Depending on the size of an FMU, even a one percent shift in a species proportion can require a significant area of another species to be planted.

The table below presents an example of the current species composition in a typical FMU, and the required changes in species composition that are needed to meet the draft National FSC Standards for Ireland.

Current species percentage in FMU (%)	Required percentage to meet the Standard in each FMU(%)	Minimum changes needed for FMU (% )
Primary species (Sitka spruce) 69%	Less than 65%	Decrease by at least 4%
Diverse species 23%	More than 20%	-
Broadleaves 4%	More than 10%	Increase by at least 6%
Open space/Biodiversity 4%	More than 5%	Increase by at least 1%