People's Picnic and Tree-planting at Ringaskiddy

People's Picnic and Tree-planting at Ringaskiddy
Sunday 7th March 2010, 1pm - 5pm
Gobby Strand

For 6  or 7 years in a row now people have gathered at Gobby Strand, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork to plant trees at the site some  refer to as The People's Forest.

For those who do not know the site has also been proposed by multi-national waste management company Indaver as the site for their industrial waste incinerator.
Our aim in planting trees here is to give shape to a positive vision for the harbour area based on restoration of ecosystems and communities and the creation of an economy that supports this.
We invite people with an interest in the above to join us here, to meet with like minded folk and to take constructive action in growing another world.

Transport
From Cork City;
Car pool from outside Connolly Hall meet at 11.45pm (gives time to get the bus if no-one with cars turn up)
Number 223 leaves bus station at 12.15pm arr. Ringa at 1pm

Useful Things to Bring:
Waterproof clothing; Leggings, Jackets (beware brambles) and Boots
Flask with hot drink
Good food to share
Basic first aid, plasters etc
Native or appropriate trees
Tools for slashing clearing, digging
Cameras and video and notebooks – Record what you do if you can

This event is being organised by a very small group of volunteers. If you would like to help us and make it more successful please contact:
Earth_repair@yahoo.co.uk


Practical Info
 Notes on Tree Planting
Never feel you need ask permission to plant a Tree. This is a highly personal action between you and the Earth, no-one has the right to interfere. We would like to see massive, spontaneous plantings of Trees all across the country.
 Having said that a certain amount of sensitivity to and knowledge of local circumstances and to the Trees themselves will go a long way in ensuring the Trees you plant thrive.

Species:
Generally, stick to native species rather than introducing exotics to an area although given climate change and the unpredictability of the future there is an argument for experimenting with others. It's helpful to look at Trees already growing in an area and use them as a guide for species to plant.
Suggested species for Ringaskiddy are willow , hazel, alder and birch for the damp areas,
For the drier area perhaps,hawthorn, blackthorn, crab apples, wild pear, oak, ash, holm oak, we could also try Planting sweet chestnuts and walnuts which may be a valuable food crop in the future.

Planting Tips:
It's important to look at aspect and drainage. The Ringaskiddy site is mainly east facing which means it gets good sun in the morning and it's close to the sea but is fairly sheltered because of the harbour. You may also notice it's very damp at the bottom of the hill at this time of year.
This land is also used for grazing cattle which means we have to be cunning as to how we plant as cows can damage young Trees. A tactic that has worked well so far is to make keyhole openings into the gorse and brambles into which we plant our Trees and then allow them to grow up around the Tree thus protecting it. The danger here is that the brambles etc grow up too vigorously and smother the Tree so it's good if you can call back once or twice a year to check on your Tree and clear around it a bit. It will appreciate the attention.

Size:
When planting think about the eventual size your Tree will grow to. This has implications if you are planting close to buildings or structures (some buildings could do with being overrun by Trees in my opinion) but also for other Trees and plants. As a general rule plant larger Trees towards the north, away from the sun and yr smaller ones at the front so that they are not overshadowed by the larger ones.

There's a lot more to this obviously but the best thing is to learn by doing, plant a Tree, come back and visit it, build a relationship with the place and the others who use it. This means that if it is ever under threat there will be people who care enough to stand up together and protect it.Tie bright coloured material round outer branches of Tree to find later.
Existing woodlands are important, especially ones that you know to be ancient, they are reservoirs of vital biodiversity that must be preserved and strengthened, they are sources of seed for growing more Trees and decaying matter or mulch, this can be added to the soil around planted Trees, helping establish a good microflora in the soil.
Call to the site any time, to work try to bring someone who knows a bit about Trees
Be respectful and sensitive to other peoples' work
Share your skills and knowledge
Please try and record your work for posterity and planning