Tullgarvan

Another small woodland in the locale.

Like the others, its hemmed into a steep valley.

Mostly oak and hazel with "exotic" species like lime and spanish chestnut, likely due to its connection to the local big house at Moy

Big energy!

The 'tongue' reaching up into the valley floor was reclaimed in the last century.

I imagine it was once a beautiful braided forest river bed.

Still a lovely little river.

Further up the valley another patch was reclaimed.

There has been losses at the edges but overall the woods has held its ground for over two hundred years, at a minimum

Three in one .

The river valley functions as a natural border for three townlands, two baronies and two parishes, shown in yellow, green and pink lines.

I am totally convinced that these are the sites to lead our native woodland recovery from.

Refugia of ecological heritage.

We just need to allow them expand.

It won't suit all landowners owners and that's ok, but once designed correctly I think it will suit very many.

Today they are still, effectively costing the landowner due to land eligibility conditions associated with basic payments scheme.

Their suppression or clearance should surprise no one.

As they exist now, alone and often isolated , these small native woodlands are thought to be ecologically dubious due to issues with shade, humidity, shelter and contiguity.

We need landscape scale planning to expand them and link them up.

In my opinion, our native woodlands deserve their own strategy, their own team and their own funding.

Hoping to piggyback them in on the back of the commercial forestry programme lacks the ambition and efficacy they deserve.

(Ivy adding a verdant splash to muted winter crowns)