High time to enjoy woodlands

OCTOBER can be among the best periods in which to experience the woodlands when they are changing their colours from largely green to russet, brown and golden autumn hues.

But, don’t delay for, as the season gives way to winter, the leaves will be blown, or fall naturally, from the trees.

With forest and woodland walks all over the country, it’s being made easier all the time for people to enjoy the wonder of trees, any time of the year.

Some people complain about commercial tree planting and the appearance of emerging forests in bogland and mountainous areas — especially noticeable in the highlands along the borders of Cork, Kerry and Limerick — and it’s understandable people should object to the proliferation of non-native trees.

Today, just 1 per cent of the entire country is planted with native trees. Killarney National Park still has some of the finest surviving natural oakwoods.

These sessile woods, common on poor soil, are also famous for a variety of insects, ferns, mosses and lichens they contain. Some of the oaks are believed to be up to 400 years old.

A booklet published by the Department of Arts and Heritage, seeks to introduce the public to the beauty and diversity of our native woodlands and provides valuable background information for use in schools.

In the past, native woodlands were carefully managed for timber, however, over the last 50 years or so traditional management has declined and today many woods have been abandoned and are now subject to threats from invasive alien species.

It is important to conserve our native woodlands, which are of European significance otherwise we will lose this valuable and rich resource, said Arts and Heritage Minister Jimmy Deenihan who launched the report.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service manages over 30 native woodlands covering more than 6,000 hectares in nature reserves and national parks. Ireland is also obliged to protect certain woodland types — oak, alluvial, yew and bog woodland — under the Habitats Directive and there are 10,000 hectares designated as specials areas of conservation (SACs).

Deadwood is also an important part of the woodland habitat providing an abundant home for many insects and fungi.

A grants scheme for landowners has resulted in 11,000m hectares of native woodland being restored and an additional 1,000 hectares of new woodlands being planted.