A tree sanctuary which will attempt to conserve the genetic stock from forests has been established by environmentalists in the grounds of Glenstal Abbey, Co Limerick. The Endangered Forest Sanctuary Project will remove saplings and seeds from endangered forests and plant them in the Glenstal sanctuary.
The group will take trees from forests under pressure from encroaching development, including the Glen o' the Downs, Co Wicklow; Santry, Dublin; Ballyseedy, Co Kerry, and Courtown, Co Wexford. "This ex-situ conservation of the genetic stock from the forests of Ireland will ensure that, should the planned developments proceed at the targeted sites, the genetic strength of thousands of years of evolution will not be lost," the group said in a statement. Oak, ash, alder, chestnut and hawthorn trees will be registered, planted and tagged. The Benedictine monks at the abbey have agreed to offer space in their grounds for t he sanctuary, and the Irish Seal Sanctuary is providing transport.