Trees used to belong, largely, to the Lord of the Manor, the squire, the big landowner of whatever rank. In England, an enormous amount of land is still in the hands of the nobility. It is good to think that the beauty of trees and the value of trees to modern man and woman in city, town or village in Ireland is so widely available. French provincial towns will be remembered by many tourists chiefly for their magnificent trees; in one of the main squares, often offering shade for sellers of produce and their customers.
Here in Ireland, we have been making up for the centuries-long devastation of woodland under the benevolent care of various Governments and helped much by the good work of foresters, professional and amateur, and by such zestful people as those who brought Crann into being. This week in Galway there will be a special eye thrown at trees in an urban setting. As cities and towns grow, there is a great need to see that all is not brick and concrete. So, in the Ardilaun House Hotel, Taylor's Hill, Galway, Wednesday to Friday, April 22nd to 24th will be held Ireland's Third National Conference on Urban Forestry: "A Vision for Greener Towns and Cities", the programme is headed.
There is an address by Dr Ben Simon, director of the Forest of Belfast scheme. The Edinburgh Experiment is the title of another address. A look is taken at Professionalised Tree Care across Europe. Then we are brought to South Africa, when the Policy Adviser to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, speaks on conditions in his own country, with an address entitled "Urban Forestry in South Africa - from Townships to Towns". Our old friend the Minister there, is Kader Asmal, late of Trinity College Dublin.
It is all meaty stuff, summed up in the final paper by Kevin Collins, Urban Forester, Tree Council of Ireland. He knows the snags. An avenue is planted with lovely cherry trees, whose blossoms bring such delight. Unfortunately, many have had to be taken out again. These particular trees have roots so near the surface that they break up the pavement. We have lovely parks in Dublin, but to bring greenery, with its beauty, with its healing properties of cleansing the air is a most civilised purpose. Good luck to the conference. Tree Councillor Ireland 01-6790699 or fax 01-6799457.