We who live here all the time probably don't notice how the country is slowly advancing its policy of reafforestation. It's a sign of the times that the Department of Education has agreed to designate today, October 23rd, as Tree Day in all primary schools. The Taoiseach launched the concept early in September, and some schools have moved in a practical and original way. But, overall, the countryside changes in appearance. The farmers are now well into the new policy, with good grants and maintenance benefits and, at the end, if they so wish, a real crop of substantial value. Or, perhaps, a part cropped and the rest left for long-term enjoyment, for amenity, for family use, be it even for firing.
Bigger schemes are afoot. The Oak Glen project in Glencree, Co Wicklow is already a reality. (The first tree was planted by Mary Robinson in November 1990.) Now the trees are thriving and Tony Carey, a former Director of Oak Glen, has launched a brochure advocating that the 25 hectares of this planting be extended to take in a native forest park in the valley, converting all the 885 hectares of existing State-owned conifer plantations there to native, mainly broadleaved species.
Not a speedy process, for it can be realised only as the present conifer plantations mature and are harvested. And all eventually to be integrated with that of the Wicklow National Park. The cost could be minimised by allowing natural regeneration to take its way and by sowing seed from native sources such as oak, birch, willow, alder, hazel, ash, holly, hawthorn and rowan. Rackham, he points out, writes that on almost any land removed from agriculture, a woodland will appear through natural regeneration over a period of about 20 years. (Oak Glen evidence supports that view.)
Only five pages, with photographs, of a stapled pamphlet, with much to offer. It has been sent to various bodies and, naturally, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, for consideration in the preparation of the National Biodiversity and Millennium Heritage plans. With tongue, maybe, in cheek, he sent a copy to the British Embassy, for there is a reminder in his plan that in 1290 Eleanor, wife of Edward 1st, had the Glencree forest destroyed to provide timber for a castle in Wales.
Grandiose plans from 25 hectares (65 acres) to 885 hectares or 2,300 acres. Good luck. Y