Ireland’s landscape, often depicted as purely green pastures, is home to a growing forest cover. While historical events significantly reduced its woodlands, the country is now expanding and conserving its forests. This initiative aims to restore ecological balance, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to climate change mitigation.
Historical Forest Cover
Ireland was once extensively forested, with over 80% of the land covered by trees approximately 10,000 years ago. Early forests included pioneer species like juniper, willow, birch, and hazel, followed by elm, ash, and oak in lowlands, and Scots pine and birch in more exposed areas. This dense woodland allowed for continuous travel by squirrels from one end of the island to the other without touching the ground.
Human activity dramatically changed this. Deforestation began around 6,000 years ago with early farmers clearing land for agriculture using slash-and-burn methods. During the Bronze and Iron Ages, population growth increased demand for agricultural land.
The Norman invasion in the Middle Ages saw more forests cleared for grazing livestock and timber for castles and homes. The most significant deforestation occurred from the 16th to 19th centuries, as the British Empire required vast quantities of Irish timber for shipbuilding and construction, including London’s rebuilding after the Great Fire of 1666. By the late 19th century, Ireland’s forest cover had dwindled to an estimated 1% of its land area, one of the lowest in Europe.
Current State of Irish Forests
Ireland’s forest cover has seen a significant increase from its historical low. As of 2022, the National Forest Inventory estimated the total forest area at 808,848 hectares, representing 11.6% of the land area. This figure, while a substantial improvement, remains considerably lower than the average forest cover in the European Union, which is around 38-40%.
The composition of Irish forests is a mix of broadleaf and coniferous species. Conifers, primarily non-native species, constitute about 61.2% to 69.4% of the total forest area, while broadleaves make up the remaining 30.6% to 38.8%. Sitka spruce is the predominant coniferous species planted for commercial forestry.
In terms of ownership, the balance has shifted, with private ownership now slightly exceeding public ownership. As of 2022, 50.9% of forests were privately owned, and 49.1% were in public ownership, mainly managed by Coillte, the state forestry company. This represents a notable increase in private sector involvement since the late 1980s, when most forests were state-owned.
Notable Tree Species
Ireland’s forests are home to a variety of tree species, both native and non-native. Native trees have evolved to suit the local climate and soil conditions, providing important habitats for native wildlife and supporting biodiversity. Key native broadleaf species include oak (sessile and pedunculate), ash, birch (downy and silver), alder, hazel, rowan, and willow.
Sessile oak thrives in acidic soils of hilly regions, while pedunculate oak is found in lowland areas. Alder is widely distributed, often found in damp areas and along riverbanks, where its strong roots help stabilize soil. Scots pine is also considered a native conifer, though it became extinct in Ireland about 1,000 years ago before reintroduction.
In contrast, non-native species, particularly Sitka spruce, dominate commercial forestry. Introduced to Ireland in the 1830s, Sitka spruce is a fast-growing conifer from North America that thrives in Ireland’s moist climate. It is valued for its timber, used extensively in construction and paper production, and plays a significant role in carbon sequestration. While it contributes economically and to carbon capture, concerns exist about its impact on native biodiversity, as it supports fewer species compared to native trees.
Afforestation and Conservation Efforts
Ireland is actively pursuing afforestation and conservation initiatives to increase forest cover and restore native woodlands. The government has set a target to increase forest cover to 18% of the land area by 2027. This goal includes planting 22 million trees per year, totaling 440 million new saplings by 2040. The new Forestry Programme for 2023-2027, with a budget of €1.3 billion, supports these efforts.
Various schemes provide financial support and incentives for landowners to plant trees, including the Afforestation Scheme and the Native Tree Area Scheme. The Native Tree Area Scheme specifically encourages planting small areas of native forest, ranging from 0.1 to 1 hectare, with legal protection against felling. Challenges persist, including land availability and the need to increase annual afforestation rates beyond the current 8,000 hectares per year target to meet climate commitments. Increasing forest cover offers environmental benefits, such as increased carbon sequestration, improved water quality by reducing runoff, prevention of soil erosion, and the restoration of habitats for diverse flora and fauna.