Irish Trees
Around 12,000 years ago, Ireland was covered in snow and ice. This was known as the Ice Age. As the weather became warmer, the snow and ice melted and trees began to grow. The seeds of trees such as hazel and oak were brought here by birds and animals, across the landbridges from Britain and the rest of Europe. The seeds of other trees, such as willow and birch, are so light that they were blown here by the wind. Eventually, the seas rose, the landbridges were flooded and Ireland became an island. Our native trees are the trees that reached here before we were separated from the rest of Europe. Our most common native trees include oak, ash, hazel, birch, Scots pine, rowan and willow. Eventually, people brought other trees, such as beech, sycamore, horse chestnut, spruce, larch and fir to Ireland.
Irish Trees: click below
Alder |
Oak Pedunculate Oak Sessile Rowan Scots pine Strawberry tree Willow Wych elm Yew |
Alder
Fearnóg
(Alnus glutinosa)
One of Ireland's most traditional and widely distributed trees, alders may be found in damp
areas, beside freshwater loughs and along river banks, where their strong fibrous roots may help
to keep the bank in place. Alder woodlands are found in Ross Island, Killarney, Co Kerry and
the Gearagh, Co. Cork, while Grantstown wood, Co. Laois is a rare example of wet woodland
on an alkaline soil.
Like most trees, alder flowers before the leaves are out, with attractive reddish catkins and small
cones that contain the seeds. Alder will grow in most soils, and likes wet sites. Given rich damp
soil alder will grow rapidly and is a really productive tree for timber. In ancient Ireland sections
of alder trunks were used as round shields. Later, it was used for making clogs and also in the
furniture trade where it was known as 'Irish mahogany'. As it is resistant to decay when submerged
in water, alder is used to make sluice gates and other structures along streams, rivers and canals.