“Trees classified as ancient cover only 0.04% of Northern Ireland’s land, with less than 2% of woods in the Irish republic being native and even fewer predating the Tudor and Elizabethan clearances of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Ireland has the lowest tree coverage in Europe, with the republic at 11.6% and Northern Ireland at 8%, both far below the EU average of 38%. Efforts to reverse this include €1.3bn invested by the Irish government to increase woodland cover to 18% by 2050, while Northern Ireland must significantly boost its afforestation rates to meet net-zero targets.
However, in areas like Leitrim, commercial forestry, dominated by non-native sitka spruce, has sparked local resistance due to its ecological and social impacts, such as blocking sunlight and isolating communities. While critics like Councillor Mitchell oppose this “industrialised” forestry model, both private and semi-public sector representatives defend conifer plantations as economically viable, though they acknowledge past mistakes. It is vital to protect the remaining fragments of ancient woodland, ecologists stress, as native species support biodiversity and carbon storage, unlike non-native conifers, which can harm peat bogs.
Conservationist Eoghan Daltun warns that monoculture plantations create “dead zones,” damaging ecosystems and alienating local residents. More than 20% of Leitrim, once rich in native woodland and among the most forested parts of the island, is now blanketed by such plantations, many of which are vulnerable to storm damage due to their shallow roots.
Resistance to commercial forestry has intensified, especially with overseas private investors, including pension funds and so-called 'vulture funds', entering the market. Grassroots groups like Save Leitrim actively oppose new plantations, while industry bodies argue that improved modern standards safeguard the environment. Amid this debate, farmers like Thomas Early demonstrate a different path, planting thousands of native trees to restore biodiversity, acknowledging past forestry mistakes, and aiming for a more sustainable future."
Commissioned by The Guardian
Ireland has the lowest tree coverage in Europe, with the republic at 11.6% and Northern Ireland at 8%, both far below the EU average of 38%. Efforts to reverse this include €1.3bn invested by the Irish government to increase woodland cover to 18% by 2050, while Northern Ireland must significantly boost its afforestation rates to meet net-zero targets.
However, in areas like Leitrim, commercial forestry, dominated by non-native sitka spruce, has sparked local resistance due to its ecological and social impacts, such as blocking sunlight and isolating communities. While critics like Councillor Mitchell oppose this “industrialised” forestry model, both private and semi-public sector representatives defend conifer plantations as economically viable, though they acknowledge past mistakes. It is vital to protect the remaining fragments of ancient woodland, ecologists stress, as native species support biodiversity and carbon storage, unlike non-native conifers, which can harm peat bogs.
Conservationist Eoghan Daltun warns that monoculture plantations create “dead zones,” damaging ecosystems and alienating local residents. More than 20% of Leitrim, once rich in native woodland and among the most forested parts of the island, is now blanketed by such plantations, many of which are vulnerable to storm damage due to their shallow roots.
Resistance to commercial forestry has intensified, especially with overseas private investors, including pension funds and so-called 'vulture funds', entering the market. Grassroots groups like Save Leitrim actively oppose new plantations, while industry bodies argue that improved modern standards safeguard the environment. Amid this debate, farmers like Thomas Early demonstrate a different path, planting thousands of native trees to restore biodiversity, acknowledging past forestry mistakes, and aiming for a more sustainable future."
Commissioned by The Guardian
Thomas Earley
