Cutover & Cutaway Bogs -

After Uses of the Cutover and Cutaway Bogs

Factors influencing the potential after uses of the cutover and cutaway bogs are the type and depth of peat remaining, the type of soil beneath the bog and the method by which the peatland is drained, whether systematic or piecemeal. Following years of research, three major successful uses of the industrial cutaway bogs have emerged: these are grassland and forestry on the well-drained cutaway bog areas, and wildlife wetland/amenity on the areas which have drainage difficulties. Besides these three tried and tested uses, there are a number of other options for the use of the cutover and cutaway bogs.

The creation of wetland habitats on Turraun Bog, Co. Offaly. (Photo: Peter Foss)
Reclamation of cutaway bog for grassland. (Photo: Peter Foss)
Commercial forestry can be either conifer of hardwood species. (Photo: Peter Foss)

After Use Options for the Cutover and Cutaway Bogs

Future Use
Comments
Strengths and Weaknesses

Forestry Initially very successful in areas of sod-peat cutover. Now being researched in milled cutaway areas. In milled cutaway area, frost, nutrition, pests, waterlogging and vegetation competition cause problems.

Grassland Excellent use of land especially for local farmers adjacent to the bog, who could add new land to their holdings. Peat subsidence, peat cracking, fossil timber emergence, nutritional problem with grazing livestock (especially copper). All problems, except nutritional, can be overcome by good initial site preparation.

Vegetables/Arable Crops Onions, potatoes, carrots, sugar beet etc. Weed control, nutrition, peat subsidence. Only successful on areas of deep fen peat. Not commercially viable.

Cereals Not very successful. Nutrition, subsidence and disease. Not commercially viable.

Blueberries Small scale trial carried out. Frost.

Cranberries Small scale trial carried out. Frost, suitable substrate and the weather.

Grass Sod Small scale trial carried out. Quite successful, but limited marketability.

Biomass Coppicing of hard-wood and soft-wood trees. Failed for technical and financial reasons.

Amenity/Wetland Use of cutaway bogs for walking, wildlife, fishing, bird watching and education. Very attractive prospect, especially in areas that are currently pumped to enable peat extraction.

Wind farms Use of cutaway bogs to locate wind farms for generating electricity. The present wind regime in the midlands of Ireland does not make wind farms commercially viable.

Arts and Crafts Use of bog wood, plant and peat to make gift items and clothing. Very attractive commercially.

Alternative Medicine Use of peat in bath houses and peat packs to relieve health problems. Successful on the continent. One project in operation in Co. Offaly.

Registered Charity Number CHY6829

Future Use	Comments	Strengths and Weaknesses
Forestry	Initially very successful in areas of sod-peat cutover. Now being researched in milled cutaway areas.	In milled cutaway area, frost, nutrition, pests, waterlogging and vegetation competition cause problems.
Grassland	Excellent use of land especially for local farmers adjacent to the bog, who could add new land to their holdings.	Peat subsidence, peat cracking, fossil timber emergence, nutritional problem with grazing livestock (especially copper). All problems, except nutritional, can be overcome by good initial site preparation.
Vegetables/Arable Crops	Onions, potatoes, carrots, sugar beet etc.	Weed control, nutrition, peat subsidence. Only successful on areas of deep fen peat. Not commercially viable.
Cereals	Not very successful.	Nutrition, subsidence and disease. Not commercially viable.
Blueberries	Small scale trial carried out.	Frost.
Cranberries	Small scale trial carried out.	Frost, suitable substrate and the weather.
Grass Sod	Small scale trial carried out.	Quite successful, but limited marketability.
Biomass	Coppicing of hard-wood and soft-wood trees.	Failed for technical and financial reasons.
Amenity/Wetland	Use of cutaway bogs for walking, wildlife, fishing, bird watching and education.	Very attractive prospect, especially in areas that are currently pumped to enable peat extraction.
Wind farms	Use of cutaway bogs to locate wind farms for generating electricity.	The present wind regime in the midlands of Ireland does not make wind farms commercially viable.
Arts and Crafts	Use of bog wood, plant and peat to make gift items and clothing.	Very attractive commercially.
Alternative Medicine	Use of peat in bath houses and peat packs to relieve health problems.	Successful on the continent. One project in operation in Co. Offaly.