The mild and moist climate of Ireland favours the rapid growth of trees. Trees in Ireland have good soil, a ready supply of water and there are no extremes of temperature to check their growth. Because of these factors trees grow over three times faster in Ireland than they do in mainland Europe. A newly planted sapling about 1m high may have trebled its height in five to six years. A mature tree produces a significant amount of oxygen in any given year.
Trees also help to filter dust and pollution.
By their seasonal changes trees create a habitat for plants and wildlife for timber to build our houses and schools and to make paper. All the books that you read and even this fact sheet started life as a tree to make the landscapes more varied and interesting and to provide food and shelter for birds, insects and other animals. Broadleaved trees help to keep the soil healthy and productive by bringing up essential minerals from the soil and returning them to the ground in the form of autumn leaves, which make the best and richest organic compost for your gardening. It forms a rich habitat with its ground layer of bluebells, violets and primroses and its shrub layer and associated tree canopy. Trees provide birds with food, cover, nest sites and song posts.