Knocklead is a woodland of 69 acres of mature Sitka Spruce, acquired in 2024 near Timahoe in County Laois. Within the woodland, there are 53 acres of Sitka Spruce, 6 acres of Japanese Larch and 2 acres of Sycamore, all planted in 1999. Knocklead is a suitable location for transition to CCF (Continuous Cover Forestry). In November 2024, grant aid for CCF was confirmed under the Woodland Improvement Scheme.
The first stage of transition started in April 2025. Selected trees were marked for thinning. A new forest road was created in August 2025. This allowed access for the harvesting of the marked trees, which was completed in November 2025.
The second stage of transition will be undertaken in 2029. A second thinning will take place when mini-copses for the enrichment planting of native trees and Western Cedar will be created.
A biodiversity audit was undertaken in September 2025. This protocol is called IBP (Important Biodiversity Factors). This audit will be undertaken every 5 years to measure the effectiveness of our biodiversity enhancement in a CCF woodland.
The existing woodland has wildflowers, including Purple Foxglove, Wood Sorrel, Lesser Celandine, Rosebay Willowherb and Buttercups. Bird species recorded include Coal Tits, Jays, Goldcrests, Chiff Chaffs and Blackcaps. Deadwood is being left on site to help improve biodiversity.
Knocklead is “Cnoc Leithid” in Irish, “Broad hill”, dating back to 1734 as a townland.
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