Wealth hidden in the foliage

MONEY still grows on trees for Irish farmers.

Even while there is over-production of many agricultural commodities, growers who have taken note of the bounty of nature around them are selling an estimated €1.5m worth of decorative branch cuttings from forest and wild foliage. And when you add their plantations of Eucalyptus, Pittosporum and many other ornamental plants, Irish growers are selling €3m per year of cut foliage for use in bouquets and other flower arrangements.

Farmers looking at their options in these changing times might well consider foliage cropping. Returns compare more than favourably to other farm enterprises, even dairying.