About

“When we plant a tree, we plant hope.” ~ Wangari Maathai

We are passionate about the environment
– and planting hope.

Our trees, which are fully donated by Future Forests, will be hand-picked to suit each planting site – all native species, in as diverse a range as possible.

These trees will be left to grow for posterity. Your trees will become part of a network of diverse woodlands, and havens for wildlife.

Arks to support all life.

Create a Positive Future

For as little as €10, you can take part in this inspiring project – plant a native tree, help the environment and support self-directed, democratic learning at the West Cork Sudbury School (WCSS).

A Unique Gift

What better gift than a warm promise of growth, renewal and hope for the future? It’s easy! Simply decide how many trees you want to plant, make your donation and fill out the name(s) of your giftees in the form. Their eCertificate will be emailed to you and you can forward it to them with your personal message.

How to Plant a Tree

Decide which option you’d like from the selection below and click the relevant button. Once you’ve made your payment and filled out the eCert form, the School’s students and staff will plant your tree for you in a newly managed area in West Cork where the landscape was once thick with woodland. You’ll receive a carbon-neutral eCertificate of Participation in the project and, if you opt in, we’ll keep you updated on progress with news, photos, videos and schooling opportunities from the project.

With your donation, WCSS will plant the trees for you. All proceeds are in aid of WCSS and Ireland’s re-forestation.
You are helping WCSS and the environment.

Plant a Tree

€ 10
  • One or more native Irish trees
  • We will plant the trees for you
  • A raffle ticket for each tree
  • Receive your eCert within minutes
  • Thank You!

Plant 10 Trees

€ 100
  • Ten native Irish trees
  • We will plant the trees for you
  • Ten raffle tickets
  • Receive your eCert within minutes
  • Thank You!

Plant a Grove

€ 500
  • Fifty native Irish tress
  • We will plant the trees for you
  • Fifty raffle tickets
  • Receive your eCert within minutes
  • Thank You!

Keep Planting

With a monthly subscription, trees will be planted for you during the bareroot season (Nov-Mar).

Keep Planting Trees

€ 20 / mth
  • 24 native Irish trees per annum
  • We will plant the trees for you
  • 2 raffle tickets per month
  • Receive your eCert within minutes
  • Thank You!

Keep Planting Groves

€ 30 / mth
  • 36 native Irish trees per annum
  • We will plant the trees for you
  • 4 raffle tickets per month
  • Receive your eCert within minutes
  • Thank You!

Why Plant More Trees?

Trees benefit our air, water, biodiversity and our community.

Air

  • Help prevent the climate crisis – Excess carbon dioxide (CO2) is building up in our atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Trees absorb CO2, removing and storing the carbon while releasing oxygen back into the air. In one year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the same amount of CO2 produced when you drive your car 26,000 miles.
  • Providing oxygen – ​In one year an acre of mature trees can provide enough oxygen for 18 people.
  • Trees clean the air we breathe – Trees absorb odours and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulphur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.

Water

  • Trees help prevent flooding and erosion – On hillsides or stream slopes, trees slow runoff and hold soil in place.
  • Trees help prevent pollution – Trees reduce runoff by breaking rainfall thus allowing the water to flow down the trunk and into the earth below the tree. This prevents stormwater from carrying pollutants to the ocean. When mulched, trees act like a sponge that filters this water naturally and uses it to recharge groundwater supplies.
  • Trees save water – Shade from trees slows water evaporation from thirsty lands. Most newly planted trees need only fifteen gallons of water a week. As trees transpire, they increase atmospheric moisture.
  • Trees maintain local water sources – By holding water, preventing flooding, restoring underground reservoirs and maintaining water vapour in the air, trees increase the chance of rainfall and reducing drought and desertification.

Biodiversity

  • Preserving native trees – All trees planted will be native to Ireland and we hope to include rare and endangered species in the future.
  • Forests create a seed source for the future – Natural regeneration of trees is only possible where a viable seed source remains. Planting in areas without a seed source means the forest will be able to succeed itself once established.
  • Creating a wildlife habitat – Trees provide important habitats for wildlife and are fundamental to the survival of many species.
  • Reduce the impact of wildfires – Gorse burning is illegal, but continues to happen in West Cork. Young, healthy forests can help to suppress wildfires and increase the speed of recovery.

People & Community

  • Trees are teachers and playmates – Whether as houses for children or creative and spiritual inspiration for adults, trees have provided the space for human retreat throughout the ages.
  • Trees create economic opportunities – Vocational training for youth interested in green jobs is a great way to develop economic opportunities from trees.
  • Trees bring diverse groups of people together – Tree plantings provide an opportunity for community involvement and empowerment that improves the quality of life in our neighbourhoods. All cultures, ages, and genders have an important role to play at a tree planting or tree care event.
  • Trees provide food – An apple tree can yield up to 15-20 bushels of fruit per year. Aside from fruit for humans, trees provide food for birds and wildlife.
  • Trees heal – Studies have shown that patients with views of trees out their windows heal faster and with less complications. Children with ADHD show fewer symptoms when they have access to nature. Exposure to trees and nature aids concentration by reducing mental fatigue.

Many thanks go to the following organisations for their input to our information

Trees for Life

Trees for Life are rewilding the Scottish Highlands by enabling the restoration of the globally unique Caledonian Forest.

TreePeople

TreePeople inspires and supports the people of Southern California to come together to plant and care for trees, harvest the rain, and renew depleted landscapes.