National Tree Week to fix imblalance

DESPITE advances in the past 100 years, Ireland remains one of the least wooded countries in Europe with only 10% of our land planted with trees compared to the European average of 40%.

However, National Tree Week, which started yesterday runs until Saturday, is aimed at correcting the imbalance, while at the same time providing new jobs, boosting our forestry industry and helping improve our environment.

The theme of the initiative is, Twenty Ten – Plant Again, and people are being asked to make a renewed effort to plant trees during the week. More than 300 events are taking place, including forest walks, tree planting ceremonies, workshops, talks, competitions and even tree plantathons.