Powered by plants, inspired by people | Governance and Assurance Manager with Alpha Housing | Green Party Councillor for Holywood and Clandeboye | Social and environmental justice campaigner |
A significant step forward in tree protection and preservation. The next steps would be wider tree legislation and planning policy reflect a culture of retaining trees as a matter of upmost national importance, when our air quality, our protection from heat, protection of biodiversity (and therefore food systems etc) all depend significantly on maintaining tree coverage, it could not be more urgent.
The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland has welcomed a Private Members Bill submitted by Peter McReynolds MLA at Stormont. This proposal for a Tree Protection Bill, submitted in July, aims to introduce dedicated legal protection for Northern Ireland’s oldest and most significant trees. As the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, one of the Woodland Trust's core objectives is to protect these living legends. The Bill seeks to strengthen the protection provided through Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), create a new 'Heritage Tree' designation specifically to protect and support Northern Ireland’s oldest and most significant trees, and safeguard these heritage trees from permitted developments. Our oldest and most significant trees are irreplaceable, yet many face a range of threats. One pressing concern is halting their loss to development and neglect, ensuring they can grow old securely without harm. Additionally, local communities must take drastic action to save important trees in their areas, though most campaigns are unsuccessful. One notable case occurred in Newry in 2022, where a row of 200-year-old oak trees was felled despite significant opposition. Public affairs manager for the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland, Paul Armstrong, said: "Our systems for protecting important trees urgently need strengthening. We need improved laws to keep our oldest and most important trees safe. "Given that Northern Ireland is one of the least wooded regions in Europe, with under 9% tree cover, and we’re facing a climate crisis and widespread biodiversity loss, we welcome this Private Members Bill to protect our most valuable and irreplaceable trees and woods. "In recent years, much attention has been given to the importance of planting more trees. However, we also need to protect our existing trees and woodlands, as they store more carbon than newly planted ones and provide vital habitats for nature. Newly planted trees and woods take many years for ecosystems to fully develop. This need for protection is particularly pressing, given that Northern Ireland is ranked 12th-worst out of 240 countries for biodiversity loss. "As well as protecting our oldest and most important trees, we must safeguard our remaining ancient and long-established woodlands from development. These woodlands are havens for wildlife, plant life and fungi, which are unique and crucial for maintaining our dwindling biodiversity. Ancient woods, which cover just 0.04% of Northern Ireland, are an increasingly rare and irreplaceable habitat. The soils and complex ecosystems within these centuries-old woodlands cannot be recreated or replaced. Once they are gone, they are lost forever." Paul concluded: "Our oldest trees and woodlands are extremely scarce and vital for nature and climate so we must protect them. We hope that this new legislation will support people and communities to protect these living legends that they so value." Photo Credit: Michael Cooper/WTML
