Tree cheers for Cork oak project

A group of West Cork tree-lovers with an eye to the future are ensuring their descendants will one day experience the beauty of an Irish oak forest.

About 1,000 trees are to be planted next month over six- and-a-half acres of countryside around Gullane Lake on the Cork side of Clonakilty — bringing the number of native Irish species planted there to 4,500 over the past three years.

It’s all part of the BranchOut project in which local volunteers have planted trees donated by a number of local nurseries.

The trees now spread across five acres of county council lakeside property — soon to be six-and-a-half — and will be a priceless legacy for future generations.

In all, the county council owns 26 acres in the area.

Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan, among the founders of BranchOut, said planting continues on Saturday, March 7. He said it’s a project with an eye to the future.

“Cork County Council has given us permission to plant a further acre, or so, this year with more than 1,000 trees. This is the third year we’ve done this and, when we have finished, there will be 4,500 trees planted,” he said.

The idea originated in the One Million Trees in One Day initiative in 2013.

“A group of us decided to grow something sustainable. It will be a legacy for future generations who will be able to enjoy this native Irish woodland,” he said.

Though a variety of Irish species have been used — oak, silver birch, alder, hazel and wild cherry — the plan is that, many years from now, will be an oak forest.

In 100 years or so, the other trees will have died off and the final canopy will be native Irish oak, Cllr O’Sullivan explained, adding that all the work was voluntary and all the trees were donated by local nurseries.

“There will also be a section given over to native wildflowers to enhance bee pollination,” he said.

Clonakilty Tidy Towns are involved in the project, as is the Clonakilty Arts Centre, and it’s hoped the planting will transform the area into a wonderful local amenity.

“This is a beautiful site affording fabulous views over Clonakilty Bay,” said Cllr O’Sullivan, who lives in Clonakilty.

He said a proposed greenway — a cyle and walking route — running from Clonakilty to Timoleague would skirt the lake.

“This is an absolute gem which has great potential for the creation of a fabulous amenity, both for residents of Clonakilty and for visitors to the town.”

*Volunteers are asked to be at the site by 9am on Saturday week. Find BranchOut on Facebook.