January 2011

Changing the face of Northern Ireland Quarries

MOREWoods Offer – woodland creation scheme offered to Quarry Owners

Are you considering woodland creation on your landholdings? A number of Northern Ireland quarries are considering this opportunity thanks to a new woodland creation scheme offered by the Woodland Trust and supported by Forest Service.

The tree planting is part of a new Woodland Trust initiative, MOREwoods.  Landowners with a minimum planting area of one hectare (2.5 acres) can apply and within as little as 12 years could be enjoying a flourishing young forest of native trees: oak, ash, hazel, and rowan. Providing many biodiversity benefits to your site as well as landscaping and screening benefits and could support future quarry extension planning applications.   

Experts from the Woodland Trust and Forest Service will check land suitability, help with the design of the wood, and offer advice on tree species.  Thanks to funding from Forest Service’s Woodland Grant Scheme, there will be little or no cost to the landowner. Quarry owners (non-farmers) will need to apply for a Farm Business Number (business ID) from DARD, a straightforward task and in turn receive the woodland grant.

If interested, please act fast as application will have to be submitted to Forest Service in time for planting season 2011/12. Alternatively, you can purchase trees and planting schemes direct with the Woodland Trust at a discounted rate under the MOREWoods Offer if you are not entitled to the Woodland Grant Scheme. By partnering with the Woodland Trust, together we can achieve the targets for increased tree coverage throughout Northern Ireland.

Download the QPANI and Woodland Trust Advice Sheet for Quarry Operators.

To find out more and get your tree planting underway contact Jackie Morgan at The Woodland Trust (Tel: 08452 935748 or Email JackieMorgan@woodlandtrust.org.uk).

Photo caption: Jackie Morgan from the Woodland Trust meets with Harold Graham at Deer Park Quarry, Ederney to discuss the opportunities of future tree planting on his land. Harold’s farmland already boasts a wonderful semi-ancient oak woodland adjacent to the quarry.