Just outside Macroom is a strange site called ‘The Gearagh’ – a spooky cemetery for what was once the last surviving full oak forest in Western Europe. Trees in the forest were ancient – some had survived medieval times. Unfortunately, with a disregard to both […]
Category: Tree species
About our tree species
A Hidden Holly
I’m feeling full of hope. Today, I cleared a section of the garden that was densely overrun with non-native grasses and bushes that had established themselves and were spreading rapidly. It was sobering work, but underneath it all, I found some ivy and this – […]
Juniper
This little cute thing, pushing up through other plants, is a juniper tree. Juniper is one of our 21 native trees. Known as ‘Aiteal’ in Irish and ‘Juniperus communis’ in Latin. Its wood was considered most fragrant of all the trees. It was used to […]
Spindle
This beauty is a spindle, one of our 21 native trees, which is covered in pink berries. Coming across one in the woods this time of year is such a breathtaking experience that I cannot understand why they aren’t a more popular choice for planting […]
Holly
It’s wonderful to see the red berries on the holly tree at this time of year. Holly is one of Ireland’s 21 native trees. Known as ‘Cuileann’ in Irish and ‘Ilex aquifolium’ in Latin, it was prized in ancient times for protection and winter forage. […]
Rowan
One of our 21 native trees A rowan tree covered with berries is a beautiful sight. Also called ‘mountain ash,’ it’s ‘Caorthann’ in Irish and ‘Sorbus aucuparia’ in Latin. Rowan Tree: Basic Facts Height: 15 metres Life: 200 years Leaf: Feather like, with five to […]