Woodland Trust and Scouts plant new trees

The Westmeath Branch of the Native Woodland Trust hosted a tree planting event on Saturday, January 25, supported by the 5th Westmeath Killucan Raharney Scout Group.

Branch members and members of the Scout group planted 300 native trees in the upper of the expansion fields – Oak, hazel, hawthorn and crab apple saplings. Some of the same volunteers had harvested the saplings from Ardan Wood three years ago.

Damage from Storm Éowyn was evident on Saturday, and one of the woodland’s only crab apple trees “a dear old friend who will be missed” had fallen, Jeremy Casey, general manager, Native Woodland Trust, reported.

The 30 crab apple planted on the day are that tree’s offspring. “And we managed to collect apples again at the end of last year,” Jeremy added.

“We’re so glad to continue that special tree’s legacy. It lies on the woodland floor now, along with several oak, hazel and ash trees in the wake of storm Éowyn, now living out their second lives, feeding the soil and allowing a new generation to emerge in their place.

“At the end of the planting we were honoured to present the Scouts with their Environmental Badges. They were a fantastic group who have now graduated to Native Woodland Warriors.”

Support the Woodland Trust

If you’d like to join the Native Woodland Trust mailing list to receive event invites for sites across the country, get in touch at jeremy.casey@nativewoodlandtrust.ie.

Consider becoming a member of the Native Woodland Trust to receive their quarterly magazine and support the wonderful work at nativewoodlandtrust.ie/membership.