Upload
others
View
2
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Heritage Week Project 2020
Community Biodiversity Project 2014-2020 at Macroom Castlegrounds Demesne
on a 1.7 Acre Site Following a Larch/Spruce Plantation Clearfell 2013
Following their decision to clearfell the exotic evergreen plantation on a 1.7 acre site in the
heart of Macroom’s historic Parkland, the Trustees invited a detailed proposal from the
author and Conor O’Callaghan - an Arboriculture post graduate studying for his Masters.
In summary, our submission envisaged “Site Restoration” primarily via “Natural
Regeneration” – welcoming the pioneering vegetative response after fifty years of dense
shading under a commercial forest crop and tree planting of native and locally sourced genetic
material, where available. Trustees approval was communicated early March 2014 – in time
for National Tree Week 2014 – our inputs would be voluntary and our outlays associated with
outsourcing stock and acquisition of tools, soil conditioners (seaweed dust), rabbit guards,
bamboo markers, etc. would be borne by Trustees.
Our written Agreement ensured adherence to Organic Practices – not alone because the site
drains into the Freshwater Pearl Mussel River Sullane – Primary and Secondary Schools and
their respective Special Needs Units would participate in consecutive National Tree Week
planting activities – and young and old have supported consecutive National Heritage Weeks
2014-2019.
The attached pictures record the site in March 2014;
Tree Week 2014;
A School Group planting Hazel 2015;
The site the previous November (2014);
T.Y. plant Ash, Tree Week 2015;
We mark the 165th anniversary of Olive, Lady Ardilaun’s birth in Macroom Castle on August
25th 2015 with a specimen of her favour Evergreen Oak (Quercus Ilex).
A plaque in her honour is erected the same day, adjacent to the site. Olive sold her “old Cork
home” to Trustees in 1924 for the benefit of the Townspeople. As a direct descendant of
Cormac Láidir McCarthy, Viscount Muskerry of Macroom Castle born 1411 A.D. Olive came
from the town’s oldest family.
During Easter Week 2016, we mark 1916 with a Sessile Oak specimen –
And a picture from March 2017, in advance of Tree Week captures the emergent Biodiversity
and exceptional growth of Downy Birch planted August 2015 by Trustee Miriam Cronin.
Forty helpers planted forty trees – Crabapple; Alder; Aspen; Common Oak; Yew and Holly
during Heritage Week 2017 –
The photo records Michael Lucey (88) and Tom O’Flaherty (4 ½).
Earlier in 2017, Jeremy from mid Ulster (an undergraduate Arboriculture Student attending
Lancs. U.K. Forestry College) volunteers to help plant an Alder and Hawthorn grove.
We marked Heritage Week 2018 with an Oak planting following a site tour identifying the 24
native tree species.
See “Muskerry Oak 2019” earlier in this online series for our Heritage Week celebration.
Additionally, School and College Groups have assisted author to measure and record several
of the veteran trees within the Castlegrounds since the early 1990’s –
Here is a Biology Class re-measuring a Demesne Beechtree
And a Furniture Maker 3rd Year Class from Cork’s Coláiste Stiofán Naofa.
Commemorative Yew tree planting on the castle grounds site in 2020. The dense vegetation
shows how well the site has developed since 2014
2020 marks the sixth year of this Biodiversity Programme – we missed out on National Tree
Week this year because of the then “Epidemic” – but Deo Volens, we plan a Community
Cruinniú onsite to mark Heritage Week 2020, to mark this the “International Year of Plant
Health”. Author welcomes all fellow “Lifelong Learners” to observe a Best Practice
“Treestoration” model made possible by Nature; the Trustees and Local Community.
Author acknowledges Conor O’ Callaghan’s commitment during the initial phase and we all
wish him well in his professional vocation.
Subject to the continuing “Public Health Measures”, author will be onsite at the adjacent Golf
Club Carpark, Sunday, August 23rd from 2:00pm.
By Ted Cook