Why Forests, Why Wood? by Donal Magner Published by Lilliput Press, €24.95

Donal Magner is steeped in forestry and the use of wood; a professional forester by training, he is also forestry editor of the Irish Farmers Journal.

Why Forests, Why Wood? is a analysis of where wood production and forestry should fit into national land use policy and how it is seen as a versatile and valuable component in a wide range of uses.

From the violins of Stradivarius to the prevalence of timber-frame houses, the book is a fascinating review of the forestry and wood sector.

It offers readers a summary of how – from being an island almost entirely covered in forestry 5,000 years ago – we entered the 18th century as with only 1% of the country under woodland.

The early 20th century saw the State became seriously involved in reforesting, and the purchase of the former home and estate of Charles Stewart Parnell at Avondale, Co Wicklow in 1903 was pivotal.

With State encouragement and involvement, we now have 10.7% of the national land area under forestry – the area quadrupled between 1970 and 2020. It is still one of the lowest in Europe but a huge achievement nonetheless.

Magner is clear that prime agricultural land should be kept for food production but that a target of 16,000 to 18,000 hectares a year could be achieved without sacrificing farm output.

This book is a valuable contribution to the appreciation of the history and future place of forestry and wood production.

Its encyclopedic coverage will add to the knowledge base of even the well-informed reader while its range of images is outstanding.