Tree felling at Ardnamona Nature Reserve necessary for conservation, says NPWS

Felling of trees at Ardnamona Nature Reserve on the shore of Lough Eske has been carried out for conservation reasons. 

And further work involving the removal of rhododendrons, also in the interests of conservation, is ongoing. 

That is according to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which is responsible for the reserve.

There had been concerns locally when a notable number of trees were cut down without explanation adjacent to the reserve. The work was carried out on a small peninsula where the reserve reaches its lowest point at the shore road. 

And more trees were marked for cutting, leading to questions about what exactly was planned for the area. 

However, NPWS has since provided information about the work, stating that a number of threats to the reserve are being addressed.

The threats are non-native and invasive species and ash dieback disease.

Why are these threats a problem?

According to the NPWS: “Non-native trees can outcompete native tree species

“Rhododendron ponticum is an invasive species in Ireland. It shades out native flora and is poisonous to animals. One flower can produce 3,000 to 7,000 seeds that can disperse up to 1km by air, water, on the coats of animals and on the clothes and shoes of humans.

“Ash dieback is a serious disease of ash trees caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. The disease causes leaf loss and crown dieback in affected trees and can lead to the death of the tree.”

What is NPWS doing to protect nature at Ardnamona Nature Reserve?

NPWS has said: “Non-native trees will be felled to waste or ring barked over a phased period, eventually restoring the woodland to a native ecosystem.

“NPWS have employed contractors to control and eventually eradicate R. ponticum from the Nature Reserve. The management of this invasive species, as well as others will allow for the regeneration of native woodland flora within the Nature Reserve. NPWS will help woodland regeneration by thinning some of the ash within the Nature Reserve to open up the canopy so other, stronger growing saplings can be given a chance to survive.

“Some ash trees, affected by ash dieback disease, will be made safe along the road and paths. 

“Where possible, if a tree can be partly retained, holes for bats and woodpeckers will be created within the standing wood.

“NPWS has also collected native tree seeds from the Reserve as part of the wider Glenveagh National Park Woodland Management Strategy and the saplings will be planted back into the woodland in the future.”

Ardnamona Nature Reserve is a state owned and is part of the larger Lough Eske and Ardnamona Wood Special Area of Conservation (SAC). 

NPWS outlines its importance as follows: “The Reserve is one of the best examples of intact sessile oak woodland in the country.  Within the Reserve is a mosaic of different habitats with areas dominated by oak or ash, alder and willow. These differing habitats support a wide variety of plants, insects, birds, mammals, fungi and lichens. 

“Rare plants such as the Killarney Fern and the Narrow-leaved Helleborine orchid occur here and you may be lucky to see birds such as the elusive jay and tree creeper. 

“In the spring of 2023 a wood warbler and the very rare pied flycatcher were recorded. 

“The Reserve is also home to mammals including bats, red squirrels, badger, fox, red deer and pine marten.”

The felling works have been completed, and the invasive species removal is ongoing until 2024.

Signage is in place at the reserve outlining the conservation work, which can also be viewed by scanning the above QR code with a smartphone camera or app.