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Folk singer and environmentalist Colum Sands lives close to an ancient oak tree in Rostrevor which became known as the ‘Invisible tree’ after it was omitted from an impact assessment linked to a proposed development in the area.
The tree has inspired Colum to explore our relationship with trees, and ask why have so few. It’s thought that Northern Ireland has less than 8% tree coverage, among the lowest in Europe – so what is being done about it? Colum speaks to the Woodland Trust about their ambitious tree planting projects which could transform our landscape, and the RSPB explain why trees and hedgerows are so vital for our environment and ecology. Former planner Dean Blackwood explains the current legislation regarding trees, and environmental law expert Dr Ciara Brennan looks at what she feels needs to change to offer trees better protection. DAERA Minister Edwin Poots discusses his pledge to plant 18 million trees in the next 10 years, and gives his view on whether existing legislation offers sufficient protection to our forests and trees. Throughout, we hear music – from Colum himself, including a song penned with ink made from the ‘invisible tree’, and a beautiful, haunting version of the old ballad ‘Bonny Portmore’ from Mary Dillon recorded specially for this programme.