The performance of Japanese red cedar provenances in Ireland

  • Niall Farrelly Teagasc, Mellows Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, H91X3W0.
  • Richard Walsh Teagasc, Mellows Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, H91X3W0.
  • Andrew Cameron Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, St. Machar Drive, Aberdeen AB22 3UU, Scotland.
Keywords: Early survival, growth performance, timber quality, Shimane provenance.

Abstract

Japanese red cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) has been grown primarily as an amenity species since its introduction to western Europe in the nineteenth century. The species may have some potential to increase and diversify the species portfolio which will potentially be challenged by climate change and the increase in biotic threats to Irish forest tree species. This study assesses the survival, growth performance and timber quality of a Japanese red cedar provenance trial at Camolin Park in Co. Wexford which was established in 1979. Early survival among provenances was poor resulting in considerable variability in stocking in many of the plots. The study has highlighted the productive potential of the species and satisfactory performance of specific provenances. While published studies tend to favour northern provenances that are considered better suited to the cooler Irish and British climate, this study has found that southern provenances displayed greater stem straightness, mean height and mean DBH compared with provenances from northerly regions. Provenances originating from Shimane in the Chugoku region of southern Japan combined good levels of survival, volume production, tree form and branchiness. Further research on provenance selection is recommended, and in particular such work should include assessing the suitability of provenances for future climatic conditions. It may be worthwhile including indigenous seed sources, together with Japanese and cold-hardy Chinese sources, as well as material from the Azores (where it is widely utilised), before specific provenances can be recommended for widescale deployment. 

Author Biography

Richard Walsh, Teagasc, Mellows Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, H91X3W0.
Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, St. Machar Drive, Aberdeen AB22 3UU,Scotland.
Published
2024-10-24
How to Cite
Farrelly, N., Walsh, R. and Cameron, A. (2024) “The performance of Japanese red cedar provenances in Ireland”, Irish Forestry, 78(1&2), pp. 73-91. Available at: https://journal.societyofirishforesters.ie/index.php/forestry/article/view/11020 (Accessed: 14November2024).
Section
Articles