Native Tree Trail launched in Glebe Park Balrothery

As part of National Tree Week, the Native Tree Trail was launched by Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Anthony Lavin in Glebe Park Balrothery on Wednesday April 3rd. The trail is a collaboration between Fingal County Council, Balrothery Tidy Towns and the enthusiastic children from Balrothery National School. 

Glebe Park is the first park in Fingal to participate in the Tree Council of Ireland initiative of Native Irish Tree Trails. The scheme comprises of the full 16 varieties of native Irish trees and 1 variety of naturalised tree, which is the beech tree chosen as they are the distinctive mature tree line already within the park. Each species of tree carries with it a collection of insects, snails, lichens, birds, fungi and birds to name a few. The Oak and Willow have 450 species of insects that feed only on them. Birch trees support 300, Alder and Hazel have over 100. They are the supporters of a wide variety of wildlife.

In addition to the bio-diversity feature there is a strong environmental education aspect to this initiative aimed at the youth population with the involvement of Balrothery National School. Together with their teacher Ms Whyte the 5th class pupils researched each of the 17 species and the result of their studies form the information on the signs on the Tree Trail.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Anthony Lavin said “It is great to see Fingal County Council collaborating with the Balrothery community in this initiative.  Planting native trees will have a positive effect on the  environment for the future benefit of the children involved her today.”

David Storey, Director of Services Fingal County Council continued “Fingal County Council were delighted to collaborate on this Native Tree Planting initiative when approached. The launch of this tree trail was just one of many events taking place across Fingal’s parks to mark National Tree Week, and is evidence of our commitment to providing and maintaining high quality parks and open spaces for the Fingal Community as well as contributing to biodiversity and combating climate change.”