Trees and forests in our lives at Bloom 2026
As well as the engaging horticultural exhibits, visitors to Bloom 2026 will be able to explore the many benefits of trees and forests in our lives, whether in our gardens or in our wider landscape. Teagasc Forestry Advisor, Liam Kelly previews the Teagasc Forestry Department’s presence at the event.
The ever-popular Bloom festival is Ireland’s largest and most spectacular gardening event, taking place during this June bank holiday weekend (28 May – 1 June 2026) in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. Teagasc will be collaborating with Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to present an inspiring, informative and educational feature in the heart of this popular event.
Meet our forestry staff
Teagasc Forestry is delighted to support the excellent work of our colleagues in the Teagasc Horticulture Department who coordinate highly engaging exhibits, providing a delight to the senses, at Bloom each year. Teagasc forestry staff will be present each day and are delighted to engage on all aspects of trees and their many environmental, social and economic benefits. Teagasc forestry will highlight the range of forest types available under the current Forestry Programme 2023-2027 including exciting new options.
For example, the recently announced ‘Forest Garden’ grant gives new opportunities for establishing a small, diverse woodland which includes growing forest foods. Forest gardens are diverse, low-maintenance system, combining a food producing understory comprising fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs and vegetables and a forest overstory layer. Most importantly, forest gardens can be created at small scale to make optimal use of available space on farms, smallholdings, community-owned and public lands.
Interactive activities
Visitors to our stand can partake in our interactive tree themed activities including our Virtual Reality forest experience. Join us on Sunday (3.00pm) for ‘Trees in our Lives’ with Forestry Liaison Officer, Paul Butler. This is part of an exciting programme of talks over the weekend.
Meet our researchers at Bloom and discover their diverse range of research projects. Find out about how you can help with citizen science opportunities including identifying and reporting healthy ash and elm to support ongoing Teagasc work in restoring these important native trees.
Whether it is conifer or broadleaf forests with a commercial focus, native forests for water quality enhancement and other benefits, agroforestry (combining trees and farming on the same piece of land), continuous cover forests, neighbourwoods or naturally occurring ‘emergent forests’, Teagasc forestry staff will be on hand to explain and discuss the opportunities and strong supports available.
Tree planting options
People plant trees and forests for a variety of very different reasons and considerations. These may include timber production, biodiversity and landscape enhancement, recreation provision, climate mitigation or leaving a legacy. While trees and forests take time to mature, they gradually deliver more and more ecosystem services, which can be experienced and enjoyed by the owner, family and wider community.
If you have a tree planting project in mind, come talk to us at Bloom 2026 about the generous supports available.