Trees: From Seed to Sawdust - Episode 10 - Ballintemple Tree Nursery

Ballintemple Tree Nursery is situated just outside Ardattin Co Carlow and it is here that Coillte process their seeds and rear trees from seed for planting out into the forest,

In this programme we visit the nursery and meet Dermot O'Leary Nursery Manager and Monica Murphy, Seed and Veg Propagation Manager.  Monica explains the process of seed stratification where seeds are first extracted from their casings and then exposed to a series of treatments - be it alternative hot and cold temperatures - in order to break dormancy.  They process 25 - 30 different seeds at the nursery and if they are not used immediately, they are put in cold storage for use later.

The seeds are planted out in seed beds in the fields that form part of the 130 hectare site and are cared for until they reach a certain height.  They are then lifted and graded and transplanted to the forest to begin their new life there.

Currently 80 people are employed at Ballintemple.  This is their busiest time of year - when the trees are being lifted,  and the dry spell at the moment is helping the process immensely.