Eighty per cent of land in Cork is privately owned.

This week, Cork City Council is hoping land owners on Leeside will plant native trees on their property to help enhance Cork’s tree canopy… and they’re giving away free trees to make the idea even more attractive.

Anyone with a garden can take part.

The Cork City Council National Tree Week giveaway will take place on Wednesday, March 12th from 10.30am at Tramore Valley Park and The Glen River Park.

A total of 3,000 trees will be available, including alder, blackthorn, hazel. oak, pine and rowan.

“I am delighted to see this initiative continue in 2025 after the huge success of last year.” said Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Dan Boyle.

“Now totalling at 5,500 thousand trees distributed this is significant number and certainly a worthwhile exercise. The benefits will be seen not only now but for generations to come.”

Tree Officer with Cork City Council, Thomas Kane, said the balance of land ownership across the city is obviously weighted toward private ownership with 80 per cent of available land in this category.

“Giving away trees to the public is one way of promoting planting and increasing canopy cover in these areas.” he added.

“Not only do trees contribute to combatting biodiversity loss and serve important ecosystem and climate functions, but there is also an inherent value for people’s health and well-bring attached to trees. The benefits are many and we are happy to help people in this way.”

The city council owns and manages about 17% of the city’s total tree canopy and has since 2021 planted 15,000 trees. A further 5,000 are projected to be planted this year.