Colin Sheridan: We need a national tree strategy

European countries boast an average 35% forest cover yet Ireland stands at a disgraceful 11%; much of our country is as barren as the Sierra Nevada  

Contrary to popular belief, trees grow well in the west of Ireland if given a chance, like here in Connemara. Picture: Pádraic Fogarty

“Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky.” 

 — Kahlil Gibran