Tree Week in Carrickfergus
Trees Matter — Plant Them
National Tree Week (end of November) is an annual festival to mark the start of the tree planting season, and a nationwide celebration of trees and woods. National Tree Week is a great chance for communities to do something positive for their local treescape. Across the Borough there will be lots of opportunities to plant trees. To celebrate National Tree Week, we are inviting everyone to help make trees matter by planting and celebrating trees in National Tree Week.
We would like to hear from any group or individual that would like to take part in National Tree Week. Residents and groups who cannot take part in National Tree Week but would like to plant a tree in their own property can download an application or contact Carrickfergus in Bloom. To keep in touch with all Carrickfergus in Bloom activities, join our mailing list.
Help promote Tree Week in your community by downloading the Carrickfergus Tree Week poster.
Calling all Community Groups: We can organise an event in your location, please contact us.
For the latest events go to www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/events
Join our mailing list and be kept informed.
Call For More Trees
With Tree Week approaching and Northern Ireland languishing at the bottom of the European tree league, the Woodland Trust is calling for more trees. The Woodland Trust has called upon the Northern Ireland Executive and its relevant Departments to take urgent action for the future of woodland with its manifesto ‘A vision for woodland in Northern Ireland’. The Trust wants the Executive to deliver on its commitment to double Northern Ireland’s woodland cover over the next 50 years. It also calls for protection for ancient woodland and cites the fact that many of the country’s oldest woods have been lost in recent years. In total, 273 ancient and long-established woods have been cleared since the 1960s. Chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, William McCrea MP MLA, appeared at Stormont today to receive the Trust’s new document. Lee Bruce, government affairs officer with the Woodland Trust, said: “Woodland greatly contributes to our quality of life by offering recreation, health and wildlife benefits. Legislative change, in the form of the proposed Forestry Act, is needed to protect, restore and expand our fragile woodland resource.” “Delivery of the Executive’s commitment to double woodland cover over the next 50 years would require more than trebling the current rate of tree planting," he said. Receiving the document, Dr McCrea commented: “As chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, I welcome the Woodland Trust’s publication. Woodland is important to so many aspects of our lives and is a vital contributor to the ecosystem upon which we are all dependent for our very survival. Crucially the forthcoming Forestry Act must guarantee that all ancient woodland is protected and where necessary restored, and that new woods are created where it benefits wildlife and people.” For further information download the document.
Top Tips for Tree Week
how to plant and stake a tree
tree planting tips
growing tress from seed
more gardening tips
the value of trees
Carrickfergus Tree Week Photographs
Tree Week Launch at Silverstream Primary School in Greenisland
Greenisland Primary School pupils with Local Councillors at the Tree Week Launch
Pupils from Oakfield Primary School plant trees in support of Carbon Army event at Bashfordsland Wood in Carrickfergus
Tree Week Launch at Oakfield Primary School with pupils from schools throughout the Borough.
Planting for Tree Week in Whitehead
Tree Week at Model Primary School with pupils from schools throughout the Borough.
To celebrate Tree Week in Whitehead members of Brighter Whitehead plant trees at the Recreational Grounds.
To celebrate Tree Week pupils from Eden Primary School and Allotment Holders plant trees at Eden Allotment Gardens.
To celebrate Tree Week Carrickfergus pupils from Downshire School plant trees in their school grounds
Pupils from Woodlawn Primary School plant trees in their school grounds during during Tree Week.
Lourdes Primary School tree planting.
Tree Week in Model Primary School
Pupils from Whitehead Primary School and Lourdes Primary School plant trees
Carrickfergus Borough Council staff and Councillors get ready to plant some trees for Tree Week.
Native Irish Tree and Hedge Species
List of Native Irish Tree and Hedge Species to Plant for Tree Week
Native evergreen species include:
Holly (Ilex aquilfolium)
Yew (Taxus baccata)
Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)
Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Native deciduous species include:
Oak (Quercus robur and Quercus petraea)
Elm (Ulmus glabra)
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Birch (Betula pubescens and Betula pendula)
Hazel (Corylus avellana)
Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
Willow (Salix pentandra, Salix alba, Salix caprea and Salix purpurea)
Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Whitethorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
Irish Whitebeam (Sorbus hibernica)
Gorse (Ulex europeaus)
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
