They say some applications take over three years to process.
A midlands forestry expert says the licensing process for planting and felling trees, is a black hole for applications.
The Social, Economic, Environmental Forestry Association is protesting outside Dáil Eireann today, calling for the government to intervene and relieve the backlog.
They say delays are resulting in less than 3,000 hectares of trees being planted a year, well short of the 14,000 hectare commitment Ireland made to reduce carbon emissions.
SEEFA Vice Chairman, Offaly's Padraig Egan is calling for Minister Pippa Hackett to engage with the issue:
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