Do you believe the increasing number of trees being cut down
in Ireland by local councils is because it’ll improve 5G coverage?
If so it could mean faster phones and the ability do have driverless
cars when it’s introduced, but it’s hard to see how a tree in a town could slow
down the signal.
I still think that the world works by valves warming up so I
can’t really comment.
Felling Trees
There are also rumours that trees are being felled because
of claims from insurance companies, they are messy, can increase a house value
if removed or they are being sold off for pulp to raise money for struggling
councils.
The Green Party are trying to stop the spate of tree felling
that is being reported around the country. They also reported that a number of
Gardaí were deployed to oversee tree felling in one housing estate in Waterford
as it was being protested by locals. This has been done without consultation
and against the will of local people and has generated substantial local anger.
Reports of significant tree felling are coming from
Waterford, Cork City, Tipperary, Limerick, Westmeath, Mayo, and a few parts of
Dublin. There don’t seem to be any reports of Donegal County Council taking
part in the cull though so a big hand for our town planners. The more trees we
can keep the better.
There does come a time though when trees need to be
removed. Maybe they are old, diseased or
pose a real hazard to life. It’s inevitable they go and with careful management
something suitable can be planted in its place. Do you have any thoughts about the situation or have you had first hand experiences at the hands of over zealous council workers?
For every one tree felled, plant three more is the way to
go.
Homes for the Bees
There are a few uses for old felled trees. Burning them of
course, but that will release carbon back into the atmosphere. Shredding them
to use as mulch, and my favourite way to reuse them is to get Michiel Verspuij
from Boomtree Bees in Buncrana to come along in his pick-up truck (If it’s not
too far away) , take the trunk back to his workshop and turn it into a natural
log bee hive. These are a true work of art, especially when topped off with a
thatched roof.
Michiel is looking for trunks of 20” (50cm) diameter or more
to convert to hives. Any dead, fallen or hollow trunks will do. Ash, oak, beech, Scots pine, larch all
preferred but other types are also welcome. Generally for durability for the
hives, hardwoods have more durability.
Michiel is running a couple of workshops very soon if you
would like to learn a bit more about how these natural hives work and replicate
the bees natural habitat which reduces the need for human intervention.
Log Hive Workshop
March 30th -Drumnaph Nature Reserve/ An Carn Maghera Co Derry
Throughout the workshop you will learn about the life of the
honeybee and its colony. You will be actively involved in the making and
erecting of the hive.
Cost: £50 (lunch included)
April the 13th
Honeybee Conservation in Inishowen- Boomtreebees, Westbrook, Buncrana
Learn about how to help the honeybees in Inishowen. An afternoon packed with information about
honeybees, their natural habitat, what their needs are and tips on how to help
with their preservation/conservation. Find out about housing that mimics their
natural abode and see honeybees up close. It will be an informative afternoon
for the whole family. It’s just €5 entry with tea and coffee provided. 1pm - 4pm
For more information about the courses or if you have an old
tree stump to donate, check out www.boomtreebees.com
or you can contact Michiel on (00353) 0862698474 or on Facebook @boomtreebees.
Tree Care in March
As we are on the subject of trees, here are a couple of tips
to look after your own.
- Feed trees, shrubs and hedges with a slow-release fertiliser by lightly forking it into the soil surface.
- Move smaller deciduous trees or shrubs. Now is the time to do this task, provided the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged.
- Mulch fruit trees with well-rotted manure or garden compost. Take care not to mound mulch up around tree trunks.
- Weed, feed and mulch fruit trees and bushes
