Droichead Nua or Newbridge
Your Town - It's easy to make a difference
Cad a dhéanfaimid feasta gan adhmad?
Tá deireadh na gcoillte ar lár.
What will we do without wood - Now that the forests are destroyed?
(Excerpt from the 18th century poem Cill Cais)
Planting Native Trees
We would strongly recommend selecting native trees when considering tree planting in any residential location. Some trees are NOT SUITABLE for planting along the roadside simply because they will grow too high or have a wide girth, or in some cases the root system will develop close to the surface – and rip up your path or damage your house foundations.
Some of the larger trees may be suitable for planting on the estate green area – choose your location carefully, trees take a long time to grow to their full size, consider what the tree will look like in twenty years time, take advice from a competent professional prior to planting trees. When sourcing the trees / saplings try to source them from reputable garden centres who supply trees grown from native seed stock, as this will be the best tree for native wildlife.
Trees are nature's way of renewing the air that we breathe and a mature tree produces a significant amount of oxygen in any given year. Trees also help to filter dust and pollution and provide a welcome break in large green areas; trees are a very important habitat for our birds, butterflies, ladybirds, squirrels etc. Trees tend to soften drab surroundings; screen buildings create shelter and a habitat for plants and wildlife providing food and shelter for birds, insects and other animals.
Tree Planting Tips
Bare rooted trees should be planted when the trees are dormant, from the beginning of November until the end of March. Planting of trees should not take place when the ground is frozen or water-logged. If bare rooted trees have been purchased for planting, the roots should be kept damp until planted. Before planting, dig a pit wide enough to take the spread of the roots and deep enough to have the tree at the same level in the soil as it was in the nursery.
Select a specimen with a well balanced branch system, a good root system, and remove any damaged roots or branches prior to planting. Ensure that a suitable stake is provided to support the tree during its first few years in its new location. Remember to give the tree a good watering after planting. The tree should then be secured to the stake with a durable strap and spacer which will not damage the tree stem.
The tree should be watered during dry weather in its first year and the area around the tree should be kept free of grass and weeds for the first three years.
The Alder [Alnus Glutinosa] is a fast growing deciduous tree often found in boggy / wet places. Catkins form on the branches in spring, and over time develop into egg shaped fruits, the alder can grow to 20 metres in height. It is rich in insects on the foliage, and therefore attracts a myriad of small birds. Alder is often seen lining banks of rivers and thrives in un-shaded areas.
One of our rarest native trees the Strawberry Tree [Arbutus Unedo] is not found in the wild around County Kildare, its pollen has been found in peat bogs dating back over 4,000 years. This evergreen tree flowers with creamy bells and sour tasting red fruits appear in late autumn and can grow to 8 metres in height and is susceptible to frost damage in spring.
The Ash [Fraxinus Excelsior] is one of Ireland's native trees easily recognised in winter by its prominent paired black buds and in autumn by its winged fruits. Casts a light shade, creating a rich undergrowth, and seeds are popular food for a number of bird species. Of course the ash is used to manufacture the best Hurley’s. The Ash is a deciduous tree and can grow to a height of 30 metres.
In ideal locations Aspen [Populus Tremula] can reach a height of twenty metres, generally however aspen will reach about ten metres in height. Aspen is a deciduous tree and has a distinctive branching pattern, which is most visible in winter when the tree is leafless. When the leaves first appear they are a copper colour, turning green in summer and brilliant yellow, or sometimes red in the autumn. Don’t plant near buildings or service ducts.
Blackthorn [Prunus Spinosa] flowers before the leaves appear, then in autumn blue-black sloes are produced. It rarely grows over six metres, but being tolerant of shade it is suitable for planting into hedgerow gaps. It does not like wet conditions.
The Bird Cherry [Populus Tremula] although rare is a native deciduous species and can be expected to reach a height of 15 metres.
The native wild Crab Apple [Malus Sylvestris] can grow to a height of 10 Mts. It is quite a rare tree in Ireland as many of the trees seen in hedgerows descended from cultivated stock. The Crab Apple tree is very good for attracting wildlife.
Similar to Silver Birch but with downy twigs, the Downey Birch [Betula Pubescens] is slower growing than the Silver Birch. Can reach a height of 18 metres.
The Goat Willow [Salix Caprea] is relatively fast growing, can reach a height of 10 Mts. and grow well in wet or damp habitats. Goat Willow is a native species which flowers early and provides pollen and nectar for bees and is usually home to a large number of insects, caterpillars, beetles, bugs, and aphids feed on the leaves, catkins, buds and bark of willows. Don’t plant near buildings or service ducts.
Densely leaved and thorny with short trunk with a distinctive white blossom, strong scent and red berries (haws) which are an important food source for wild birds The Hawthorn [Crataegus Monogyna] (also known as Whitethorn) is probably one of the most common deciduous trees in Ireland, and can grow to a height of 15mts.
The Hazel [Corylus Avellana] is deciduous and rich in insect life, providing a source of nutrition for a wide selection of birdlife; the fruit (nuts) are also a source of food for some small mammals. Can grow to approximately 6 metres.
Thrives best when planted under some shade, and growing up to 15 metres in height its large crop of red berries makes the holly an excellent tree for wildlife. To ensure berries you will need male and female trees in the same location. The Holly [Ilex Aquifolium] is unfortunately an endangered tree in the wild, and planting native hollies should be encouraged particularly in older hedgerows.
Seen throughout Ireland this native tree can grow to a height of 10 metres. The Rowan [Sorbus Aucuparia] is fast growing and produces a large crop of red / scarlet berries which are consumed by Thrushes and Blackbirds.
The oak is a symbol of Cill Dara (Dair = Oak). The Sessile Oak - Dair Ghaelach [Quercus Petraea] is Ireland's national tree is the more common oak tree in Ireland. Its leaves grow on a long and produce their acorns with little or no stalk. The Pedunculate Oak - Dair Ghallda [Quercus Robur] (also known as the English Oak) is different from the Sessile Oak in that its leaves grow directly from the branch with its acorns attached to an obvious stalk. The Oak is a deciduous tree and is not suitable for residential areas other than in very large green areas. Rich in insect life providing food for many bird species The Oak can grow into a very large tree possibly 40 metres.
The Sally [Salix Cinerea] can be described as a tall shrub or small tree, generally growing to a maximum of 10 metres high, generally branching from the base.
The Silver Birch [Betula Pendula] is a fast growing deciduous tree, and can reach a height of 20 metres. Distinguished by its drooping twigs hanging down from its main branches and by its scaly bark peeling exposing black patches. Its catkins are yellowish and shed masses of tiny winged blown seeds in autumn.
Scots Pine [Pinus Sylvestris] is the only pine tree native to Ireland. However it will grow into a very large tree up to 30 metres, and is not suitable for roadside locations.
Whitebeam [Sorbus Hibernica] are relatively small deciduous trees with silvery undersides to leaves. They produce white flowers in May and red berries in autumn.
The Wild Cherry [Prunus Avium] is not suitable for roadside planting – the roots are very shallow. The Wild Cherry is a deciduous tree needs a lot of light, and is susceptible to frost damage in spring.
Wych Elm [Ulnus Glabra] is the only species of Elm native to Ireland; a deciduous tree it is spread by seed. However native Elm is rare in Ireland due to its tendency to occupy the most fertile soils and are now probably confined hillsides and remote areas. Elm is still common in hedgerows throughout the countryside; however little of this Elm is native stock.
The Yew tree [Taxus baccata] is evergreen and native to Ireland and has been growing here for thousands of years. It is an evergreen tree that grows to about 20 metres and has a dark-brown or reddish bark.
Some More Information?
Web:www.crann.ie
Web:www.treecouncil.ie
Web:www.millenniumforests.com
Web:www.coillte.ie
Birdlife in Newbridge
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Native Trees of Ireland
- Insect and Mammals
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Tree Planting in the Community
