Japanese Forestry and Forest Harvesting Techniques With emphasis on the potential use of Japanese harvesting techniques on steep & sensitive sites in Ireland

This report marks a watershed in the dissemination of forest research information. It is the first publication of a research project, which has been partially funded by COFORD under the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development. Being also available on the internet brings the information it contains to a much wider audience and, hopefully, makes some contribution to the international issue now facing all foresters, how to grow and harvest wood in an economic manner that is sustainable and without conflict to the environment. That this report contains a description of harvesting techniques as practised in Japan is indicative of the value of information sharing to address issues of common concern. It is an example of the good co-operation that exists in matters of international forestry and the common need to encourage an environment of knowledge seeking and knowledge sharing among our young scientists. Developing a better understanding of technical issues also promotes an appreciation of the social and cultural links between Ireland and Japan. We owe the Japanese government, in particular their department of education our sincerest thanks for the opportunity it provided for an Irish scientist, Myles Mac Donncadha, to visit and study aspects of cable harvesting systems. The information Myles gathered during his stay in Japan is already helping Irish foresters to reassess the cable extraction concept for use in environmentally sensitive areas and in locations where ground based equipment is not appropriate. We hope that the work that Myles has done will help more Irish foresters to consider the message he brings and that this report will act as a stimulus to adopt those practices considered appropriate to the Irish scene. Opening up new knowledge sources is the task of researchers, utilising that knowledge is the challenge to practitioners. COFORD asks that the challenge be accepted