Ballinastoe Upper — CCFPI demonstration assessment

Wicklow · 42.8 ha · Sitka spruce · CCFPI 0.1.0-prototype

Demonstration data — original GIS outputs not yet connectedNew assessmentSign in
78/ 100
High transition potential
Confidence 85%
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high
Transition potential
High
Assessed area
42.8 ha
Confidence
85%
Date assessed
2026-07-14
Dominant species
Sitka spruce
Lowest-scoring factor
Slope
Demonstration concern
Wind exposure
Principal constraint
None — No research-verified constraint rule has been applied

Indicative interpretation

This forest has high demonstration potential for transition to Continuous Cover Forestry. Terrain, rooting conditions and aspect score well, while slope returns the lowest standardised score and wind exposure is the concern carried by the demonstration narrative. Lowest-scoring factor: Slope. Demonstration concern: Wind exposure. No research-verified constraint rule has been applied. A field assessment by a qualified forestry professional is required before management decisions are made.

Factor contribution

Factor score × weight. Contributions sum to the CCFPI score.

Wind exposure68 × 25% = 17
Soil depth95 × 20% = 19
Slope63 × 20% = 12.6
Soil quality88 × 15% = 13.2
Soil texture78 × 10% = 7.8
Aspect88 × 10% = 8.8

Strongest site factors

  • Soil depth95
  • Aspect88
  • Soil quality88

Limiting site factors

  • Slope63
  • Wind exposure68
  • Soil texture78

Triggered constraints

None. No research-verified constraint rule has been applied, so no principal constraint is reported. The lowest-scoring factor is Slope and is not treated as a constraint.

Parcel boundary and suitability overlay

Layers
Basemap
53.0721° N, 6.2418° W|z11|42.8 ha|Parcel boundary
Very high / HighModerateLowVery low / excludedWater features

Factor detail

  • Wind exposure
    DAMS 16 (moderate to high)
    68

    Modelled exposure of DAMS 16 (moderate to high) sits within the workable band for phased canopy opening, with wind-firm edges likely retainable.

    Wind exposure surface · 50 m · confidence 81%
  • Soil depth
    65–80 cm effective rooting depth
    95

    Rooting depth (65–80 cm effective rooting depth) supports stable anchorage in retained stems after canopy opening.

    Irish soils mapping · 1:250,000 · confidence 90%
  • Slope
    13° mean slope
    63

    Slope of 13° mean slope permits conventional extraction and phased thinning without specialist harvesting systems.

    National digital terrain model · 10 m · confidence 94%
  • Soil quality
    Brown podzol, good nutrient status
    88

    Soil quality (Brown podzol, good nutrient status) supports vigorous natural regeneration under a partial canopy.

    Irish soils mapping · 1:250,000 · confidence 75%
  • Soil texture
    Sandy loam, free draining
    78

    Texture class Sandy loam, free draining maintains aeration and workable ground conditions across most of the year.

    Irish soils mapping · 1:250,000 · confidence 70%
  • Aspect
    East to south-east, sheltered
    88

    Aspect East to south-east, sheltered provides a favourable shelter and light regime for understorey regeneration.

    National digital terrain model · 10 m · confidence 93%
Model ccfpi-ie · version 0.1.0-prototype
Ireland · Sitka spruce plantation profile
Status Complete · assessed 2026-07-14

CCFPI Ireland provides indicative spatial decision support. It does not replace field assessment, professional forestry advice, regulatory approval or statutory environmental assessment.

Based on original CCFPI research and GIS modelling by Jay Gilbert. Developed by BranchX.