The tunnel plough in peatland afforestation.

  • Niall OCarroll Research Branch, Forest and Wildlife Service, Sidmonton Place, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Republic of Ireland.
  • M.L Carey Research Branch, Forest and Wildlife Service, Sidmonton Place, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Republic of Ireland.
  • Eugene Hendrick Research Branch, Forest and Wildlife Service, Sidmonton Place, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Republic of Ireland.
  • James Dillon Research Branch, Forest and Wildlife Service, Sidmonton Place, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Republic of Ireland.
Keywords: Tunnel ploughing, peatland forestry, double mouldboard plough, root spread, load bearing, raised bogs, blanket bogs, crop stability, drainage, ploughing, afforestation, marginal land, silviculture, peatlands.

Abstract

Because of its cool moist climate, much of Ireland is covered by deposits of peat. These are known in Ireland as bogs or peatlands, and internationally as mires. There are two main classes of bog: raised bogs and blanket bogs. These have recently been mapped and described by Hammond (1979). Raised bogs occur in undulating midland areas. Initiated as postglacial lakes, they are now composed mainly of sphagnum and reach a thickness of 9m or more. These areas have been extensively developed for fuel production and pressure in that direction is increasing...
Published
1981-11-01
How to Cite
OCarroll, N., Carey, M., Hendrick, E. and Dillon, J. (1981) “The tunnel plough in peatland afforestation.”, Irish Forestry. Available at: https://journal.societyofirishforesters.ie/index.php/forestry/article/view/9483 (Accessed: 4October2023).
Issue
Vol. 38, No. 1, 1981
Section
Articles