A new forestry research project, AshforFuture, aimed at preserving and reviving ash trees in Ireland, was officially launched by Minister of State Pippa Hackett at its kick-off meeting at Teagasc, Ashtown, Dublin today, Friday, November 1, 2024.
The project, led by Teagasc and funded through the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts from across Ireland and Europe.
Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, Pippa Hackett, opening the event, emphasised the importance of the project in addressing the significant challenges posed by ash dieback disease.
The disease has devastated ash populations across the island for over a decade.
Launching the project, Minister Hackett said: “Ash trees are of profound historical, cultural, and ecological importance in Ireland.
“We have taken steps to support those forest owners affected by the devastating consequences of ash dieback by putting in place an action plan earlier this year, which includes a payment package of €79 million in addition to payments for reconstitution of ash plantations.
“The AshforFuture project is another critical step in addressing the ongoing impact of ash dieback.
“Through innovative research, this project aims to identify disease-tolerant ash trees, helping to restore these iconic trees to our landscapes. I commend the collaborative efforts of Teagasc, AFBI [Agri-Food and BioSciences Institute], UCD [University College Dublin], DAFM and all stakeholders involved in this vital initiative,” she added.
Ash trees
The AshforFuture project is funded through DAFM’s 2023 Thematic Research Call, with €770,000 allocated to the project, including €260,000 from DAERA.
The project aims to select, propagate, and breed disease-tolerant ash genotypes to mitigate the damage caused by the invasive pathogen hymenoscyphus fraxineus, which has been responsible for widespread ash dieback across Ireland.
Commending the project launch, Teagasc director, Prof. Frank O’Mara said: “The approach of the AshforFuture project exemplifies the critical role of collaborative research in addressing real-world challenges like ash dieback disease.
“Through our partnership with key stakeholders and institutions, we aim to develop long-term, sustainable solutions that will help strengthen the future of our forests and the biodiversity they support.”
AshforFuture is a four-year project bringing together the knowledge and skills of: Teagasc; DAFM; UCD; AFBI; None-so-Hardy Forestry Ltd., Coillte; Office of Public Works (OPW); Woodlands of Ireland; Native Woodland Trust; and the Forest Genetic Resources Trust.
It will focus on four key areas:
- AshComm: Enhancing communication among stakeholders and sharing research findings;
- AshGen: Selecting and propagating tolerant ash trees using molecular markers to establish a resilient population;
- AshPath: Investigating the interaction between the disease and ash, assessing tree health and pathogen variability;
- AshSilva: Evaluating silvicultural systems that promote natural regeneration and resilience through species diversity.
Emphasising the scientific innovation at the heart of this endeavour, project coordinator Dr. Dheeraj Rathore said: “AshforFuture will bring together cutting-edge research in genetics, pathology, and silviculture to progress the delivery of practical solutions for the forestry sector.
“Through close collaboration with stakeholders across Ireland and beyond, the project aims to advance the restoration of ash trees to their rightful place in the Irish landscape, with a wide associated range of benefits.”
The collaborative model involved is aimed at ensuring that the project’s findings and solutions can be effectively translated into on-the-ground action, benefitting not only Ireland, but also other countries affected by ash dieback.
