News 2025
Irish Tree Explorers Network (ITEN) hosts capstone symposium
The Irish Tree Explorers Network (ITEN) hosted its capstone symposium, From Root to Branch: Rethinking Our Relationship with Trees, on Wednesday, 19 March 2025. Held at the Fota Education, Conservation and Research Centre in Cork, this free, one-day event attracted approximately 100 attendees and featured an impressive line-up of speakers from diverse disciplines. The symposium aimed to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of trees by exploring their significance through both STEM and cultural lenses.
The morning sessions began with Dr Eoin Lettice discussing ITEN's mission and goals, setting the stage for a day of insightful discussions. Dr Claire Nolan chaired the first session, which focused on the cultural importance of trees. Our first speaker, Mary Dillon, presented a compelling talk titled 'Practical, Sacred and Enduring: Trees and Wood in the Archaeological Record.' As an archaeologist, she shared her expertise on how wood identification can reveal significant historical insights into past cultures and practices. Next up, Niamh Guiry from UCC's School of Law delivered a thought-provoking talk on 'Using Ireland's Past to Rethink Our Relationship with Trees,' highlighting how trees were used in ancient Ireland. Trees were classified, including 'Nobles of the Wood,' such as oak and yew, 'Commoners of the Wood,' like alder, willow, and hawthorn, and the 'Lower Divisions of the Wood,' which included blackthorn, elder, and arbutus. Niamh noted the hefty fines for removing a tree, and removing a sacred tree of a tribe could result in conflict. She also addressed how this period is often romanticised and encouraged us to keep a critical perspective. To conclude the first session, Professor Finola O'Kane from UCD explored the tangible and intangible heritage of Ireland's iconic sites, such as Kilcash Castle and Coole Park, emphasising their connection to Irish woodlands.
The next session was chaired by Dr Barbara Prestwich Doyle, which focused on STEM and wellbeing. Dr Darach Lupton examined The History, Diversity, and Conservation Challenges of the World's Conifers, revealing that many species, including Sitka spruce, are extinct in their natural habitats. Next, Niall Farrelly from Teagasc emphasised creating ecologically resilient forests to adapt to climate change predictions and combat emerging threats, such as invasive insects. Sarah Hourigan from Coillte concluded this session, sharing insights into the Woodlands for Health Programme, a transformative initiative supporting mental health through nature-based therapy.
In the afternoon, attendees enjoyed a guided tree tour in Fota Gardens and Arboretum, led by Darach Lupton (OPW staff member). Attendees learned about the historic trees in Fota's renowned collection. Thankfully, we were blessed with good weather, making the experience even more enjoyable.
Dr Eoin Lettice chaired the afternoon session featuring three insightful presentations. Dr Barbara Doyle Prestwich kicked off the session with her talk titled 'Branching Out: How Trees Cultivate STEAM Literacy.' She introduced the Irish Tree Explorers Network (ITEN) and its evolution from a local initiative to a nationwide project. Barbara highlighted ITEN's numerous achievements, including the development of a comprehensive website, creation of educational resources, the organisation of tree tours, and implementation of STEAM initiatives. Following this, Dr Susannah Chapman from UCC delivered a thought-provoking presentation called "Between the Generic and the Specific: Reflections on Naming and Knowing Trees," which explored personal connections with trees. The session concluded with Ray Ó Foghlú from Hometree, who addressed cultural perceptions of woodland creation and farming woodlands as solutions for nature restoration. Ray emphasised the crucial role of strengthening trust between farmers through peer-to-peer networks to overcome cultural barriers to nature restoration.
The final session was a shared day featuring Gabriella Chisholm. Dr Rosari Kingston from the Department of Folklore & Ethnology at UCC delivered the first talk, titled "The Ash Tree in Irish Traditional Medicine: Historical and Medicinal Significance." Her presentation explored the use of ash in treating common conditions such as rheumatism and also provided best practices for storing ash. Sophia Meeres from UCD's School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy concluded the symposium. Sophia's talk titled 'Planning for Trees in Ireland' emphasised the significant presence of trees outside woodlands across the country. She stressed the importance of considering environmental factors when planting trees in non-woodland areas, such as residential zones, to prevent future complications like tree removal. These factors include underground pipes and overhead wires. Sophia is currently advocating for a 25% tree cover target in all residential areas throughout Ireland.
Overall, the symposium successfully united experts from diverse fields to reexamine our relationship with trees. By integrating perspectives from science, culture, history, wellbeing, and planning, attendees were given the opportunity to explore innovative strategies for protecting and cherishing these vital natural resources. The event marked a significant milestone for the Irish Tree Explorers Network (ITEN), underscoring its dedication to fostering a deeper appreciation for trees and their integral role in our lives.