Coillte planning to destroy Oak wood
national |
miscellaneous |
news report 
Thursday May 09, 2002 01:16
by polorian
600 oaks face the chop in Balrath Wood, Co. Meath
Coillte are planning to cut down 600 old oak trees in Balrath Wood, on the way from Dublin to Slane (a couple of miles before Newgrange). They need to be stopped. More info to follow...
Comments (4 of 4)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4Have they explained why?
The official line from Coillte is that the old trees pose a danger to the young trees as they might not withstand a gale! They will be planting 600 saplings to replace them. From this it is assumed that Coillte know nothing about forest ecology. Old trees protect young trees and provide habitat for thousands of species, and oak trees support more species than any other Irish tree. The use of heavy machinery also destroys habitats, and Balrath Wood has many rare species, such as Pyrola minor, which are only found in native Irish woods.
More likely is that they want the trees for the wood. When, unbelievably, Coillte were approved for FSC certification (a sort of eco label) they did so on the basis of all the things that they were 'going to do' rather than what they have done so far. One of those things was to promote broadleaf forestry. So what do Coillte do? they set up a company to process and sell hardwood. So they need those trees to sell.
33 oaks have already been felled and removed and the forest floor has been vandalised. Protests are being planned - as soon as I know more I'll post it.
People are urged to set up a Neighbour Wood Watch to keep an eye on remaining native woodland in Coillte's control.
let everyone know when the protests will be held and any other info as soon as you can find out... thanks.
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