Woodlands of Ireland Seed Network Gathering

On 21st May, 2024, Hometree had the honour of hosting the latest gathering of the Woodlands of Ireland network, in conjunction with the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and The Marine (DAFM) and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) on the topic of Native Irish Tree Seed Collection and Sustainable Plant production. This meeting brought together leaders, experts, and key stakeholders from across the native woodland sector, including seed collectors, nursery owners, NGOs and government representatives.

Education, Tree NurseryBaiba Šustere6 June 2024Native Woodlands, Seed Bank

Wildwood Seed Project 2024: Preserving Irish Tree Provenance

In December Hometree was given the green light to continue to expand our seed collection programme. As a part of this programme we created a robust long-term strategy around future proofing seed supply for Hometree's Organic Tree Nursery. In addition, we onboarded and trained more certified seed collectors at strategic locations along the West Coast of Ireland.

Education, Tree NurseryBaiba Šustere26 March 2024Native Woodlands, Seed Bank

The Wildwood Seed Project: the Search for Atlantic Hazelwoods, Part 2

Two intriguing points about the Hazel tree are: one, it just doesn’t know when to grow old; two, it doesn't even have the decency to grow as a majestic tree. Though I feel a disservice towards not giving it a fair hearing. So, let’s talk about Hazel!

Education, Tree NurseryBaiba Šustere14 September 2023Native Woodlands, Seed Bank, Uplands

Early Autumn Update on the Wildwood Seed Project, Part 1

Hometree always pays close attention to where we’re getting our saplings from and the provenance of the seeds that we’re using. As designated seed collector, I’m extremely fortunate that opportunities for extreme exploration and harnessing of local knowledge come with the job.

Education, Tree NurseryBaiba Šustere9 September 2023Native Woodlands, Seed Bank

Out Collecting Seeds and Finding the Mother Tree

Throughout June, we focused on scouting for and collecting seeds of three localised native species: Irish Wych Elm, Downy Birch and Wild Cherry for Hometree’s Organic Tree Nursery situated in Ennistymon. It is a lesser imagined part of Hometree’s mission statement but the constant, regular witnessing of nature doing its own thing isn’t a luxury, it is absolutely essential to human survival and wellbeing.

Education, Tree NurseryBaiba Šustere27 June 2023Native Woodlands, Seed Bank

Update on Hometree's Organic Tree Nursery

The growing process is sped up significantly when saplings are grown in a tunnel. In the case of alder and willow the saplings will be ready to be planted after one season of growing in a tunnel versus two years if growing in an outside bed. Hometree’s first polytunnel produced 30 000 trees from seed in its first year.

Tree NurseryBaiba Šustere25 May 2023Ennistymon

Hometree's Tree Nursery

In 2022 we grew Hawthorn, Alder, Scots Pine and Birch from seed in the poly-tunnel using an organic, no dig approach. In the last month these trees have been pulled and are ready to be planted on Hometree projects or sold.

Tree NurseryBaiba Šustere19 January 2023Ennistymon

Hometree Blog

A place where we can share our work and offer you a greater insight into nature restoration, tree planting, biodiversity and a variety of projects that are fundamental to addressing both Ireland’s declining biodiversity and the unfolding climate challenge.

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