A novel initiative by a Co Meath farmer has resulted in more than 8,800 tree saplings being donated for planting right across the country. Paddy Mangan from Oldcastle had initially planned to purchase and donate 1,500 trees for planting.
A novel initiative by a Co Meath farmer has resulted in more than 8,800 tree saplings being donated for planting right across the country.
Paddy Mangan from Oldcastle had initially planned to purchase and donate 1,500 trees for planting.
Mangan posted on social media looking for help to distribute the trees to individuals looking to plant the donated saplings. However, as the plan got legs last week, the number of trees on offer spiralled, with various forestry firms coming on board to donate trees.
In the end, Mangan supplied almost six times more trees to the public than was originally forecast.
A team of 20 people came on board to deliver the trees to their destinations.
Explaining his motivation for donating the trees, Mangan said he has planted a lot of trees around the family farm over the years.
These are located in areas of fields where the tractor can’t easily access, he explained.
Planting the trees has been a real labour of love for Paddy and his two daughters, Oonagh (six) and Cara (two).
“I hope that people who got the trees will get as much enjoyment out of them as we have from ours,” he said.
Mangan also hoped the planting plan would, in a small way, help to offset the tens of thousands of trees lost to ash dieback.
The saplings were delivered in bundles of 10, with each person getting a maximum of two bundles.
“I’d prefer if 10 people put in 10 trees each than if one person put in 100 trees,” Mangan explained.
Ten varieties of trees made up the mix, these included Scots Pine, alder, birch, hazel, rowan, oak, blackthorn, whitethorn, crab apple and wild cherry.
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