Reforest Erris!

by Bob - CELT - Centre for Environmental Living and Training, also Ea Mon Sep 22, 2008 17:17 info at celtnet dot org Scariff, Co.Clare 061640765

Much of the Erris landscape shows the remnant preserved trunks of bog pine (the native Irish Pine, closely related to Scots Pine) where bog has been cut away. No doubt much was also at one time covered in native broadleaf woodland. It would be an excellent addition to local sustainable development plans to develop agroforestry - using native trees to provide shelter and nutrients for the benefit of organic produce - the areas of grassland, vegetables, fruit bushes, etc, providing rich biodiversity with much woodland edge habitat. The community would benefit from skills training, timber, fruit, veg, healthy animals and, of course, a revitalised economy. This should be happening throughout the country.

by John Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:40

Have some commercial tree guards, you can often get away without them in the most surprising situations. Something to do with making the tree look like it was always there. They make the planting time a lot longer cos you have to stake them or they blow around and knock the tree. Would hope to get up some time after the second half of October but will have to sort this out.
I take it ye guys are up there, twould be good to know who I'm talking to and perhaps we should move this conversation off Indymedia. In the meantime, if I'm correct in my assumption that ye are up ther and I know ye already would ye be able to strt asking around among friendly land owners for places to plant. Some kind of public open event with locals and visitors would be great. Stay in touch and see ye soon. J

by Chrissie Fri Sep 19, 2008 12:57

Dunno how big r yr saplings but they may need something round them to protect from wind/grazing/weed. Loo/kitchen roll inners, plastic bottles w ends cut off, cardboard tubes? Biodegradable wd be best.

by lulu Fri Sep 19, 2008 09:28

Yepp it would be nice for Matt to have somethin to swing from

by Matt Thu Sep 18, 2008 17:41

Yea i agree w chrissey we should get plenty of notice that your coming. It is lovely planting trees. You know to make the community feel involved we should plant trees in every ones gardens.

by Chrissie Thu Sep 18, 2008 13:17

Great - can you give as much notice as possible so people can make arrangements to come along? Thanks.

by John Baker Wed Sep 17, 2008 15:09

The following links are to articles written about plantings we did down in Cork. They include tips and ideas for guerilla tree planting type actions. www.indymedia.ie slash article slash 85317 and www.indymedia.ie slash article slash 85187. (Cant find the slash key on this computer).

Obviously wind will be a big hindrance to any trees getting established, I suggest that we look for places to start that already have some shelter provided by things like walls, existing woodland or forestry, buildings etc. That hazel woodland near the solidarity house might be a good place to start, it's nearly hazelnut time as well.

I have a number of young hazel, alder, ash, willow, oak saplings that I'd be delighted to try out up there. Next time I come up I'll bring em, perhaps organise a public picnic or event. If it takes off we can start asking around for nurseries and that to donate stuff

The purpose behind this is to give hope to the campaign, to see past Shell and their violence and to give back to the PLACE. It is a focus not a distraction. Putting trees in the ground has got me through some of my darkest times and if it works for me perhaps it can work for others. It's exhausting fighting against things all the time, we need to balance that with positive, creative, spirit feeding actions that give all of us reasons to go on living.

by lulu Wed Sep 17, 2008 13:03

Yes, that's a worthwhile task. Not just Mayo, but all Ireland is short of trees; one of the least bosky nations in the European Union.

by Chrissie Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:12

Alders & birches would be good for a start, they seem to tolerate wet & dry conditions & acid soil.

by Chrissie Mon Sep 15, 2008 22:31

Trees, yep, great, but let's not allow SHell to do any more damage! And we'd need to educate people, particularly the County Council, who've wrought so much destruction on our precious few broadleaved trees...
I would be happy to bring some acorns or whatever tree seed is suitable.