Lá Náisiúnta na gCrann/ National Tree Day

07Oct

Lá Náisiúnta na gCrann/ National Tree Day

Nach iontach go bhfuil a lá féin ag na crainn in Éirinn?(6ú Deireadh Fómhair) agus fiú seachtain na gcrann 20ú -26ú Marta 2023.  Tráth dá raibh bhí an tír seo clúdaithe le crainnte breátha an Dair, an Coll, an Fhuinseog, an Bheith, an Crann fia-úll agus an Cuileann ach anois malairt scéal é. Cé nach bhfuil lear mór dóibh in Éirinn anois tá daoine fud fad na tíre ag cur crann, mé féin ina measc. Le sé bliana annois tá paiste talún á chur agam le crainn. Chuile bhliain geall leis ceannímse timpeall ar 50 crann.  Whips a thugtar orthu. Bíonn siad ar fáil i Mí na Samhna nó Mí na Marbh! Is crainn bheaga iad nach bhfuil ach leathmhéadar ar airde nó marsin agus bíonn na preámhacha lom. Ní chosnaíonn siad mórán - cúpla euro an cheann, déarfainn gur saoire iad ná cupán caife na laethanta seo!! Cuirim iad i ndoirceacht an gheimhridh. Bíonn siad ina gcodladh agus ní chuireann sé as dóibh bogadh go háit nua, socraíonn siad iseach i rith an  Gheimhridh agus san Earrach tagann boradh agus fás orthu. Ní i gcónaí a bhíonn rath orthu, caillim go leor toisc an aimsir a bheith rófhuar, rófliuch nó róghaothfar. I mbliana bhí triomach againn ar feadh tréimhse fada ó Bhealtaine go Meán Fómhair agus chaill mé go leor de na crainn óga. Bíonn uisce agus aimsir réasúnta de dhíth orthu go mór mhór ag an tús nuair a bhíonn siad lag agus ag iarraidh fás aníos. Cé nach n-éiríonn le gach uile chrann a chuirim fós féin tá ag éirí le go leor. Anois tá cuid de na crainn níos airde ná mé féin! Feicim go go dtógann sé tuairim is trí nó cheithre bliana ar na crainn sochrú isteach i gceart nuair a éiríonn leo é sin a dhéanamh téann siad ó neart go neart go han tapaidh ar fad.  Tá meascán mearai de crainn curtha agam, ní crainn dúchasacha iad ar fad ach crainn iad a thaithníonn liom féin, crainn iad a chuirfidh gnáthóg bhreá ar fáil d'éanlaithe agus d'fheithidí. Taobh amuigh de sin storálfaidh siad roinnt C02 agus in imeacht na blianta beidh coillín bheag ann ar féidir sos a ghlacadh inti agus éisteacht le ceol na nduilleog sa ghaoth! Tá cúpla pic thíos de na crainn atá á fhás agam!

Isn't it fantastic that we have National Tree Day and Tree Week! Such a great idea to promote an interest in the benefits of growing trees. Ireland was once covered in trees, Oak, Ash, Birch, Holly and more but now we are one of the least wooded countries in Europe. However initiatives like Tree Week and so on are a great way to bring focus to the benefits of planting trees. I am hooked!! though that is hardly a surprise to anyone who knows me! I am a plant-a- holic! So every year for the last six years or so I  buy about 50 whips or more depending on the year and plant them into a little plot that will eventually become a lovely little woodland. The trees will provide a habitat for birds and insects but it will also be a place to sit and listen to the wind rustling the leaves above a peaceful haven!! Though I have planted many trees over that last number of years I have had a fair few losses too. Sometimes due to the weather being too wet, to windy or too cold.(this year we had drought from May until late September) The strong wind can loosen the trees and that will kill them in the end. I do go around and check they are staked but I don't always manage to save them. So the ones that were planted first are now taller than me! It is great to see them growing strongly and adding habitat already. of course those trees will also provide a carbon sink to offset what we burn in fossil fuels.(We would prefer not to burn fossil fuels but the cost of changing is just prohibitive.) 50 trees is not a scientific measure and I have no clue if they do make a dent in our carbon emissions. I have read that trees of differing ages in a woodland is the best way to maximize carbon sink effect and by planting 50  it is enough that I can expect a good few to thrive. The pictures above are some of the trees I planted that are doing fairly well. So if you have a space why not plant a few trees?

 

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