Family Tree Scheme
Every two days 700 square kilometres (about the size of Co. Cork) of forest cover are lost worldwide. Conversion to agricultural land, unsustainable harvesting of timber, unsound land management practices, and creation of human settlements are the most common reasons for this loss of forested areas.
Current efforts in forest planting and restoration have helped stem some of the net loss of global forest area, but further global action is needed. The real challenge is to move beyond just raising awareness. Member States of the United Nations Forum of Forests recently adopted four ambitious Global Objectives on Forests, which included a commitment to reverse the loss of forest cover worldwide. The Forum is currently in the process of creating an international instrument on forests. However, it is only through broad public participation and by harnessing the skills and practical experiences of forestry practitioners worldwide that we can realize these international objectives and effect change.
Sponsor a Tree
The Family Tree Scheme enables you to commemorate an important event or to remember a loved one, by giving you the opportunity to have a tree or trees planted in their name. Your family tree will span the human generations, giving pleasure to many, while enriching Ireland's natural heritage.
At present we have 3 sites available:
Larch Hill, Tibradden, Co. Dublin, €50
Strokestown House, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon, €40
Muckross Forest, Killarney, Co. Kerry, €40
Your name, the name of the person and the occasion you want remembered or celebrated will be entered into a record book maintained for public inspection at each site. A certificate, recording the dedication (the name(s) of the person(s) for whom the tree is planted, the occasion and the name(s) of the person(s) making the gift), will be sent to you or the person of your choice.
The trees are identified by a number in the Site Record Book corresponding to a tag on each tree except in Muckross Forest where the trees are not numbered but part of a woodland in a specified plot.
The trees in Muckross Forest can be visited all year round. The trees in Larch Hill can be visited by appointment only. The trees in Strokestown House can be visited from April to October.
Please note that the trees sponsored will be planted only during the tree planting season, i.e. spring and autumn.
