The Vital Role of Irish Forests in the Fight Against Climate Change

Ireland has some of the lowest forest coverage in Europe, at only 11.6%. It also has the third-highest Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in Europe, which means strong measures are needed to manage these emissions better.

Fortunately, Ireland has one of the highest rates of tree planting. Trees play a big part in fighting climate change by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.

Since the 1990s, farmers and landowners have received financial support to plant forests. As these forests have grown, they’ve been capturing more carbon each year, which helps in reducing Ireland’s overall carbon footprint. 

How Well Do Trees Absorb Carbon?

Carbon capture, or sequestration, is crucial in determining the success of carbon forestry projects. Trees used for timber, like sawlogs and woodchips, have predictable growth rates, which helps in estimating carbon storage. 

However, non-forestry trees are less studied, making it challenging to assess their carbon impact. As a result, Ireland primarily uses computer models to estimate carbon sequestration rates..

It’s not clear if planting different types of trees together stores more soil carbon than planting one type. In most forests, carbon is stored more in fallen leaves and dead branches than in the soil, but how this process works is not as well understood as tree growth.

People who want to start carbon farming projects can use two methods to measure how much carbon trees absorb:

• Modelled Growth Rates: These provide a rough but cheaper estimate of carbon storage.
• Inventory-Based Measurement: This method measures tree growth directly and is more accurate but comes with higher costs.

We also need to think about how climate change might affect tree growth in the future, as it could make them grow faster or slower, depending on the tree type and weather conditions.

Cutting Carbon Emissions

Ireland’s young forests and Christmas tree farms play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions by absorbing carbon dioxide. Harvesting trees before they die naturally keeps the carbon stored in wood products. These wood products—used in construction or furniture—act as long-term carbon storage. After harvesting, new trees are planted, and the carbon storage cycle starts again.

Wood is considered a “climate-smart” material because it is renewable, uses little energy, and is sustainable. When wood is used for building or making furniture, it stores carbon for a long time.

Trees also provide other benefits, such as keeping areas cooler, helping manage water and soil, reducing flood risks, and offering habitats for animals.

How Trees and Crops Benefit Each Other

Planting trees and crops together on the same land can be more productive than growing them separately. The roots of trees help improve soil health, providing nutrients that crops can use. 

Crops, in turn, help control weeds, making maintenance easier and cheaper for farmers. This partnership between trees and crops results in healthier growth, less labour, and higher yields.

Best Trees to Plant for Carbon Storage

Sitka spruce is one of the best tree species to plant for carbon storage in Ireland. Even though it’s not originally from Ireland, it grows very well in the rainy climate. 

Sitka spruce can produce up to 35 tonnes of wood per hectare each year, making it ideal for timber and carbon storage. Ireland has over 300,000 hectares of Sitka spruce, which store approximately 2.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide—or about 75% of the total carbon stored in Irish forests.

What’s more, over 90% of Ireland’s harvested timber comes from Sitka spruce forests, which are used to make things like pallets, packaging, fencing, and construction materials.

Protecting Carbon Resources

Protecting forests is essential for maintaining Ireland’s carbon storage. Fires, pests, and diseases can cause significant carbon loss, turning forests from carbon sinks to carbon sources. If pests or diseases spread widely, they could lead to more carbon being released than stored.

Sustainable forest management, which includes regular harvesting, helps keep forests healthy and adaptable. Harvesting allows new trees to grow, which are often better suited to future climate conditions. 

In Ireland, many forest owners now adopt sustainable practices, cutting down sections of the forest each year and replanting them. This continuous cycle ensures long-term carbon storage and protection against environmental risks.

A focus on carbon management helps forests store more carbon over time, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing emissions from carbon-heavy materials.

Final Thoughts: 

Forestry in Ireland isn’t just about planting trees; it’s about building a sustainable future. Join us in making a difference! Explore our range of top-quality Christmas trees, grown with sustainable practices, or consider planting trees to contribute to carbon capture efforts. Visit Cork Christmas Trees today to learn more about how you can be part of Ireland’s green revolution!