Cork Environmental Forum are being helped by communities in Cork City and County to plant over 1000 trees during National Tree Week. This has been possible through the kind donation by local Cork man Padraig Coakley. One of Padraig’s hobbies is to grow the oak saplings from acorns and the ash from seed gathered locally.
The Irish Natural Forestry Foundation will kick off the planting of the saplings on Sunday 4th March as part of their open day. Other communities and projects involved include Midleton Tidy Towns who are planting 100 trees in conjunction with local schools. At Fota on the 8th March 20 trees will be planted at the Scouting Ireland Campsite, Fota Wildlife Park are planting an additional 200 trees in the park during tree week. IRD Duhallow will support the planting of 100 trees in a number of communities in their area. Macroom – 100 trees will be planted in the Carrigaphooca Castle Demense and Liscarroll Community Council will plant a further 50 trees in their area. Ballygarvan –Green-Schools Ireland are supporting local schools with the planting of 200 trees at Ballygarvan Nature Farm –this planting will take place a little later on 20th March.
In the city Colaiste Chriost Ri will plant 100 trees at their community garden at Capwell. NICHE Food Focus Project in Knocknaheeny are planting 45 trees with community members in a green area near the community garden site. Douglas Community Association/ Tidy Towns will plant 10 trees in the Mangala Park and the Lifetime Lab. will add 10 trees to their garden. A further 18 trees will be planted by the community in Togher, with Blackpool Community Centre planting 10 trees.
Why not plant a few more trees in your own garden, to encourage us all to plant during tree week some garden centres are offering special deals and related talks e.g. Griffins www.griffinsgardencentre.ie .
Walks & Champion Trees
There will be a walk at Fota Arboretum at 2pm on March 7th lead by OPW head gardener and in conjunction with Coillte at the Glounthuane Heritage Walk. However, there are lots of lovely woodlands all over the county so maybe make a special effort to take a walk in your own local woodland. The Tree Council has surveyed “Champion Trees” these appear to be quite clustered in Cork e.g. Fota Arboretum, Glengarriff, Glounthaune – contact CEF if you would like details or check out details and updates of events at the Tree Council website: www.treecoucil.ie/treeweek.
