1st March 2010: The Tree Council of Ireland and Coillte today called for people to make a renewed effort to go out and plant more trees in 2010 as part of National Tree Week which will take place from 7-13 March. The theme for this year is ‘Twenty Ten – Plant Again’.

This year 15,000 trees, sponsored by Coillte, will be planted by community groups all over the country.  Since its inception, over half a million trees have been planted throughout the country during Tree Week. 

Tree Week is designed and promoted by the Tree Council Of  Ireland as an important vehicle for creating an awareness of trees, woodlands and the environment in general.  Its aim is to raise awareness about trees and encourage local communities and local authorities to participate in over 300 events which will take place around the country during the week. These events include forest walks, tree planting ceremonies, workshops, talks, competitions and even tree plantathons!

Gerard Murphy, Managing Director of Coillte Forest said, “Despite the great advances in the past 100 years Ireland remains one of the least wooded countries in Europe with only 10% of our land planted with trees compared to the European average of 36%. By doing something as simple as planting a tree, everyone can play his or her part in helping the environment. Trees can play a big role is our climate change strategy – both in the carbon they store and in the sustainable resource they provide. They also provide a great recreation resource.  By thinking locally, we can act globally!”

For more information about National Tree Week and the events taking place around the country, log on to www.treecouncil.ie or www.coillte.ie

 

All Tree Week events are free and everyone is welcome to attend.

 

 

 

For press queries please contact:

 

John Mc Loughlin, Tree Council of Ireland 01 493 1313 / 086 250 6022

Or

Tom Byrne, Coillte 086 810 4224

 

Notes to Editors:

 

The Tree Council of Ireland is a voluntary organisation formed to promote the planting, care and conservation of trees.  It represents almost 50 professional, voluntary and public service bodies that share a common interest in trees.

 

About Coillte

 

Coillte is a commercial company operating in forestry, wood panel products, land based businesses and renewable energy.

 

Our core purpose is to enrich lives locally, nationally and globally through innovative management of natural resources.

 

Coillte employs approx 1,100 people and owns over 445,000 hectares of land, about 7% of the land cover in Ireland.

 

From certified forestry and forest products to world class recreation and renewable energy, Coillte manages its forests in a sustainable way.

 

 

For more see: www.coillte.ie