Something ‘almost spiritual’ about watching trees grow

There is something “almost spiritual” about watching a tree grow, according to Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District member Andrew Duncan – and he wants as many children as possible to experience that for themselves.

At the district’s February meeting, the Fine Gael man proposed that the district initiate a plan to partner with local schools to begin a flower or tree planting or similar schemes.

Responding, officials informed Cllr Duncan that Westmeath County Council purchases a large quantity of trees for distribution as part of National Tree Week each year.

“These trees are made available free of charge to schools,” the reply stated, going on to add that this year, National Tree Week will run between March 3 and 10.

The reply went on to state that Westmeath County Council are happy to support any local schools that wish to participate in tree planting.

Schools can register their interest on info@belvedere-house.ie or contact the Westmeath County Council Environment section at 044 9332166 or environment@westmeathcoco.ie.

Cllr Duncan said he was delighted with the response, particularly when so many children spend so much time on their phones rather than interacting with reality.

“I’d just like this to be the start of something that maybe broadens out into something in a different more wide-ranging,” he said, saying that example could be taken from European countries that have taken the lead in this regard.

In agreement on the value of getting children involved in nature and gardening was Cllr Duncan’s party colleague, Cllr Emily Wallace.

“I think the simple task of planting a tree can give children ownership: they can see an actual growth. They can see that if you nurture something that it will grow and it will bloom and it will do so year after year.

“And from that they can learn respect for their surroundings, respect for flora, fauna – and also that they have a part to play and hopefully they will carry that through their lives,” she said.

Also supportive of the motion was Cllr Denis Leonard, who remarked that even in the smallest area, “a whole lot of trees” can be planted.

“Also, schools are the fulcrum of every community,” he said, remarking that, therefore, they can be a good distribution point, connecting the Tidy Towns, or local groups or the elderly.

“It can be a way of involving a whole community in it. A lot of our schools are also taking part in Green-Schools so this can be a good link-in,” he stated, going on to say that it was a way of educating children about the different types of trees, how tall they grow, how much space they need, and things like that.”

There was also a positive reaction from Cllr Frank McDermott: “Like Cllr Duncan, I absolutely love trees: I support his motion; I think it’s a great idea,” he said.

Cllr Bill Collentine revealed that the Tidy Towns, in conjunction with Coillte, do go to schools to talk about trees and give out hundreds of trees to them each year.

“Last year, we gave them out to St Mary’s and Loreto,” he stated.

Director of services, Deirdre Reilly, commented that it was a positive motion. While she was sure the council’s environmental awareness officer does communicate with schools about the free trees, she would reiterate the point to her.