Why Trees Matter

Although some areas have improved, Forest Loss increased in 2022

The Global Forest Watch are an online platform that provide data and tools for monitoring forests. In 2022 Tropical Forest Loss worsened despite international commitments to end deforestation, and the rate of deforestation increased 10% comparing 2022 with the 2021 figure. Countries like Costa Rica & China reduced their forest loss by 63%, & 60% respectively, however their reductions were displaced to other countries that massively increased their deforestation. We need to protect international forests, and underwater forests, although much like air supply on an flight, we need to make sure we are also prioritising tree planting and forest replenishment here in the UK & Ireland so that we can harness the benefits for air quality and biodiversity

What we plant with our clients

Farming Carbon works with businesses and with local farmers to replenish native woodland species in Northern Ireland.

Tree planting projects can vary from 400 – 1000 native trees and will plant specific species variety depending on qualities of the planting site. From a variety of 13 species we planted mixed species woodlands, on arable farm land or in unused, fenced corners. This creates wild spaces on the farm. Many of the sites we use will have a water course nearby, and the tree planting could protect the water from nutritional run off. The woodland species included Oak, Scot’s pine, Birch, Sweet cherry, Rowan, Alder, Hawthorn, Blackthorne, Hazel, Spindle, Crab Apple and Willow. Depending on the proximity of a watercourse, we select trees to plant that will flourish in that location. The alder and willow thrive in damp, wet ground – so they were planted mostly in the lower areas. The other species were planted in a diverse mix.

Each of the tree species has a different life span, and were planted in 2m spacing. The Birch and Alder will live for 60 years, while the Oak and Scot’s Pine should still be standing after 600. This variation of lifespan means that our planting, in March 2023 could provide a habitat and a home to generations of wildlife for the next few centuries, and the woodland will continue to grow and change in that time.

Diverse impact of Trees for Ecosystems

As humans we thrive in diverse environments, we thrive eating diverse diets. It makes sense that our wildlife species are the same. Within our tree planting, the flowers on the sweet cherry will feed pollinators, the fruit of the rowan will feed the birds, and the oak will feed the dormouse, squirrels and jackdaws when it drops its acorn seeds. Each of the trees will grow to create a habitat in itself; as well as the woodland habitat as a whole.

This year there has been an additional 100 Northern Irish wildlife species added to the “under threat” list. Part of the reason we are losing species, is due to a decline in safe habitat for them. Creating woodlands locally provides new habitats for wildlife, which means that our communities can continue to experience diversity in wildlife. Planting trees has a benefit in terms of carbon drawdown and retention, 63% of the trees planted were hardwoods each of which will sequester 1 tonne of carbon per year for the next 100 years. Alder sequesters nitrogen and makes it available in the soil which improves the soil condition for the plants around it. Removing nitrogen from the atmosphere reduces nitrate oxide, a GHG (greenhouse gas) 300x more potent that carbon dioxide. The benefit of this project is felt by the wildlife, the air, the river and the farmer.