NI Forests In Woodland Trust Restoration

Northern Ireland's forests could be set to benefit from a 52,000 hectare restoration of damaged woodland across the UK, following a £1.9m boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund to the Woodland Trust.

The Woodland Trust project will see the restoration of woodland across 10 priority areas across the UK, including Northern Ireland.

Project officer Michael Topping said: "This is an excellent opportunity for landowners in Northern Ireland. We’re offering specialist support to make the ancient woodland restoration process as straightforward as possible. As well as the aesthetic and wildlife benefits, landowners can enjoy some income from selectively felled trees; while future management, for instance in the form of coppicing, could produce a sustainable source of wood fuel.

"Ancient woodland restoration must be done sensitively. It requires time and careful management, and, actually, is all about light. The gradual removal of dense conifers and invasive species slowly opens up the canopy, allowing sunlight to filter in and giving precious species – our native trees, plants, fungi and mosses – a chance to thrive once more."

Ancient and long-established woodland covers just 0.7% of the Northern Ireland landscape and totals less than 10,000 hectares. Over 40% has been degraded by the planting of conifers, while other sites have been damaged by invasive species such as rhododendron, according to the Woodland Trust.

(IT/MH)