Free trees for Mayo primary schools this National Tree Day

Primary schools across Mayo are being invited to claim a free tree sapling, the Scots Pine, and plant it with their pupils on Glennon Brothers National Tree Day, which will take place on Thursday, October 2. 

National Tree Day is an initiative of the Tree Council of Ireland designed to encourage primary schools to plant and learn about the importance of trees. The Tree Council is the national umbrella organisation for groups dedicated to tree planting, management, and conservation.

This year’s theme of ‘Building a better future” links classroom learning with real-world forestry and explains how trees provide clean air, shelter for wildlife, and the use of timber for furniture.   The theme also highlights how fast-growing trees capture at least three times more carbon over 35 years than slower-growing species, and that using Irish-grown timber in homes and furniture keeps that carbon locked away.

This year, National Tree Day welcomes a new partner, Glennon Brothers. Announcing the partnership, Joint Managing Director of Glennon Brothers, Pat Glennon, says: "As a family business, we’re proud to partner with the Tree Council of Ireland for National Tree Day. For every tree we use, new trees are planted to keep forests healthy and full of life. We want to share the story of sustainable Irish forestry and inspire the next generation to care for the environment, one tree at a time."

Cormac Downey, President, Tree Council of Ireland, says National Tree Day is a chance for children, teachers, and families to discover the importance of trees: “This year we’re celebrating the Scots Pine, a native Irish Species, and showing how planting a single tree can help build a better future for us all. With the generous support of our new partner, Glennon Brothers, we’re able to provide free saplings and ready-to-use classroom resources nationwide, helping schools turn learning into action and deepening understanding of sustainable Irish forestry.”

Schools can claim one of two thousand free Scots Pine saplings and find more information at www.treeday.ie.

READ NEXT: Mayo town hosts Culture Night multi-cultural concert