Treescape

By the beginning of the twentieth century, 1% of forested landscape was left in Ireland. It consisted of ‘native’ and ‘naturalised’ species. Since then there has been an effort to bring forest cover back. (currently at 10.15%)I A mixed opinion has arisen about a variety of ‘new’ species that have been introduced throughout the last two hundred years. Recreating the forested landscape that once clothed the rolling hills and valleys of our island has many consequences. Apart from ecological positives and negatives, human inhabitation and societal activities must be considered. The landscape of Ireland is much more than a protector of its inhabitants; it is a provider of economic stability. The creation of forestry could be considered as a ‘productive surface’ for our landscape. ‘The productive surface is a constructed terrain that has the ability to simply put, yield something’.II However a landscape of trees can be about much more than a crop yielder, it can also create a highly complex spatial system. This spatial system can be eminently varied as the future choice of species could be endless. The following document includes an essay debating the meaning of ‘landscape’ and ‘nature’, studies of the landscape of Ireland, studies of timber abilities and a proposal to develop the landscape of Ireland for a future generation.