Ireland has great woodland but has the lowest forest cover of all European countries

MANY people will visit woodlands during the Easter holidays, sniffing the spring air, scenting conifers and just enjoying the trees and wildlife, writes Donal Hickey.

There’s a growing appreciation of our forestry, but despite some views that parts of the country are being taken over by trees, we’re still well behind our EU counterparts in that regard.

Ireland has the lowest forest cover of all European countries, according to Teagasc. Land cover here is 11% while over 40% of all land in the 33 member states is wooded. Co Wicklow has the highest forest cover and Co Meath the lowest. These forests are mostly man-made. Government policy is to bring the national forest cover to 17%. Counties Cork and Kerry have a high proportion of forestry and, importantly, great walks.