Ireland’s native woodland scheme, which was introduced by the government in 2001, is successfully bringing back biodiversity. But the country still struggles to meet its tree-planting targets. The reason? Policy doesn’t always match the economic realities farmers face.

Ireland should be a forestry success story. The climate is mild, the soil is fertile and trees grow faster here than almost anywhere else in Europe. Yet despite ambitious government targets and generous public subsidies, the country remains one of the least forested in Europe, with tree cover at just 11.6% – far below the EU average of nearly 40%.

Farmers own most (70%) of the land in Ireland. While the state planted trees on land unsuitable for farming (such as peatlands and uplands) over the past century, tree-planting targets now need to be met by private landowners. For years, the puzzle has been: why don’t farmers plant more trees?

Our new research explores two reasons – one hopeful, one challenging.

One of us (Kate Harrington) has examined biodiversity across nearly 50 native woodland sites planted over the past 20 years.

After many years, these planted sites start to resemble semi-natural woodlands. With guidance from foresters and ecologists, plus the care and attention of landowners, planting can be tailored to specific locations and landscape types.

Our findings suggest that tree planting and rewilding can work in tandem when trees are planted in ways that ensure nature can........

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