COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 13, 2017

QUESTION NO. 15

QUESTION: Councillor R. McMahon

Does the Council keep a record of the amount of timber collected when trees are cut down, and if so what is the annual figure. Also what is done with the timber from the trees cut down by the council and has a market ever been sought for same. 

REPLY:

A quantity of wood and woodchip is produced each year from pruning and felling trees. The volume of the material is currently not recorded.

Wherever possible, the wood debris from tree work is processed with wood-chippers to produce woodchip. This is stockpiled for use as a mulch in planted areas or as surfacing for woodland and access paths within the Council’s parks, open spaces and allotment sites. Larger sections that can’t be processed by the wood-chipper are recycled according to the condition and species of timber. At present, these are generally made available to wood turners for carving and crafting or for firewood to charitable organisations such as St. Vincent de Paul and ALONE through official local contacts.

Timber that has been freshly cut is generally not suitable for burning because of the high moisture content of fresh wood which is typically greater than 50%. Timber is normally stored (seasoned) for a number of months to reduce the moisture content to below 30% which improves the burning efficiency. 

Unseasoned logs can be burned in an open fireplace but are best burnt with solid fuels, which burn at higher temperatures, in order to reduce the amount of tar condensates building up in the chimney and the consequent risk of chimney fires. Unseasoned logs can lead to severe damage if burnt in closed appliances because of tar condensates building up inside the appliance. Timber that will be cut this winter would not therefore be considered suitable for burning until next autumn/winter after undergoing a seasoning period in dry storage.

Timber and green waste generated from tree works in woodlands is usually left in situ to create wildlife habitats.

The prevailing practices relating to disposal of wood and woodchip arising from tree maintenance operations are currently under review in order to ensure best practice procedures. Arising from the review, it is intended to formulate a policy on this matter.