Facts you probably don’t know about Trees!

National Tree Week 2019 sponsored by Forest Industries Ireland is drawing to a close this Sunday 7 April, however there are still plenty of events you can take part in around the country. Visit www.treecouncil.ie to find out what’s happening near you!

This week-long celebration of trees which is co-ordinated by the National Tree Council is about communities coming together to celebrate and enjoy trees and all the uses they provide. This year’s theme ‘Planting for our Planet’ is a particularly important one, as trees help reduce climate change effects by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Trees provide us with us with a hugely valuable and natural resource along with a myriad of products they provide jobs and ensure you have places to visit with your family and friends.

Here are some interesting facts about trees that you probably didn’t learn in school:

-Tree Week 2019 theme is ‘planting for our planet’ our Irish forests are a sustainable resource it is hard to think of a more     renewable product provided by nature
-Each year, our forests in Ireland absorb the annual carbon emissions from 80% of the cars on Irish roads
-Our forests have over 18 million visitors each year from Ireland and around the globe
-One tree planted per person per year reduces our carbon by 1%
-Aspirin was developed from the wood bark of willow trees
-9,000 years ago, Ireland was completely covered by forest. 100 years ago we had less than 1%; Currently we have 11%   forest cover
-The forest sector provides 12,000 rural jobs in Ireland
-Trees and tree fibres provide us with over 5,000 products that we use in our everyday life some of these include fuel to heat   your home, nail polish, medications, paint, toothpaste, wine corks among others
-Wood is a renewable, reusable natural resource; Take a look around your current environment you may be surprised at what   wood products you find!
 

Since the beginning of National Tree Week, over half a million trees have been planted. Coillte work in partnership with the Tree Council of Ireland to facilitate the supply and distribution of over 15,000 trees for National Tree Week, which are delivered to community groups all across Ireland.

Trees play a significant role in our climate change strategy by soaking up carbon emissions while also providing a renewable and sustainable building resource through their timber. Trees improve air quality, provide shade, increase biodiversity, provide food and shelter for wildlife, reduce local wind speeds and reduce the effects of flash flooding.  Without trees, life on earth would be intolerable. As well as the environmental benefits, there are social and economic reasons to plant trees.

Get out there and get involved and Plant for our Planet this year!