21 October 2022

Engaging with children on trees and forestry

2022 has once again given the Forestry Development Department the opportunity to meet and reengage with people. The return to events and shows gave the opportunity to ask children ‘What to trees and forests do for us?’ Forestry advisor Frances McHugh tells us more

This year at the Tullamore show, Co Offaly and Woodland Festival 2022, held this year in Castlerea Co Roscommon, Teagasc Forestry posed the question; 

What to trees and forests do for us?

Two freestanding model ‘trees’, one conifer, one broadleaf; with a surface that could take a ‘sticky note’ were erected in our marquee at both events. With a little encouragement, our multi-coloured leaf shaped sticky notes gradually filled up on both trees throughout the days at both events.  

It was very interesting to observe the children consider what they thought of when they were asked ‘what do trees and forests do for us’? Between the 2 events, we had almost 300 ‘sticky notes’ placed on the trees.

The most common themes and feedback are outlined in the ‘word cloud’ below.

Some interesting observations;

• By far the most common feedback related to Oxygen, Co2, air and life. 42% of respondents referred to a trees ability to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Clearly this message of climate change has resonated with children.
• The second most popular theme was forests providing habitats. This represented just over 10 percent of the sticky notes. Birds and Animals were mentioned including squirrels and foxes.
• Wood from Forests was the third most common feedback with recreation, shelter and paper following close behind.
• There was no preference to which ‘tree’ the notes were placed on; conifer or broadleaf tree.

On display, alongside the two trees at each event was a scaled model of a forest and farm landscape displaying the many benefits of forests.  As part of this display, a forest harvesting scene is set out showing logs and timber lorries main picture above. It was very interesting to discuss this with children at the stands many of whom were not happy to see trees being cut down.

This ‘straw poll’ makes it is clear that trees are seen as important to the children attending both the Tullamore show and the Woodland Festival. They certainly associate trees with the environment, as a positive when it comes to Climate change and the air we breathe. However the value of trees, in the context of producing wood did not come through as strongly. In fact, harvesting trees was often seen as a negative. Perhaps we need to do a better job promoting timber as a sustainable product from sustainably managed forests.

Talking Timber 2022 – Supplying Sustainable Timber Products takes place on 25 October 2022

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