Sir, Pádraic Fogarty’s article (“‘We don’t have a plan’: Invasive species take hold as action lags legislation”, Environment, February 12th), incorrectly describes Sitka spruce as an invasive species.
Labelling Sitka spruce as “invasive” misapplies the EU Invasive Alien Species framework. For a species to be considered invasive, it must spread uncontrollably and cause demonstrable ecological or economic harm. Sitka spruce in Ireland does neither. It relies on deliberate planting, exhibits limited and manageable regeneration at forest margins, and therefore does not present a danger to intact native habitats.
Internationally, productive non-native tree species are widely recognised as capable of delivering significant public goods when appropriately regulated. In Ireland, afforestation is tightly licensed by the State. Sitka spruce, owing to its exceptional growth rate, sequesters carbon more rapidly than any other commonly planted tree species in Ireland. That carbon remains locked in harvested timber, which in turn often displaces high-emission materials such as concrete and steel in construction.
Moreover, Sitka spruce is now planted only in mandatory mixed-species, non-monoculture forests. When properly managed, such stands can support biodiversity while underpinning farm forestry incomes and our National Climate Action Plan targets. These documented benefits far outweigh unsupported assertions of invasiveness.
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Evidence-based planning is essential if Ireland is to meet its climate and land-use objectives. Yours, etc.
DONAL WHELAN,
Irish Timber Grower’s Association,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.
