Niall Collins TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, joined pupils at Ballybrown National School, Co. Limerick, to plant a Scots Pine ahead of Glennon Brothers National Tree Day 2026, taking place on 1st October.
An initiative of the Tree Council of Ireland, National Tree Day encourages primary school children across Ireland to get outside, plant a tree and discover the important role trees and forests play in our everyday lives. This year, schools can claim one of 2,000 free Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris; Irish: An Giúis) saplings to plant with pupils.
This year’s theme, ‘Planting for the Planet’, will help children explore how trees support wildlife and biodiversity, capture and store carbon, and provide a renewable natural resource that can be transformed into timber products used to build our homes and communities.
Minister Niall Collins commented:
‘National Tree Day gives children a practical way to learn about the importance of trees, forests and the natural environment. By planting and caring for a Scots Pine, pupils can see first-hand how trees support biodiversity, capture carbon and provide a renewable natural resource.
‘It is also an opportunity to build understanding of sustainable forestry and how home-grown timber can continue to store carbon when it is used in timber products and buildings. I commend the Tree Council of Ireland and Glennon Brothers for helping schools across the country turn that learning into action.’
Pat Glennon, Glennon Brothers, said:
‘National Tree Day gives children the opportunity to do something practical and positive for the environment. Planting and caring for a tree helps bring to life the importance of trees and forests and the role they can play for generations to come.
‘As a family business with a long connection to timber and forestry, we are proud to support an initiative that encourages children to get outdoors, learn and develop an appreciation of trees from an early age.’
Mike Glennon, Glennon Brothers, added:
‘Glennon Brothers is a third-generation family business. Our message is “Irish timber for Irish homes, from forest to front door”.Growing trees capture carbon, forests are renewed through replanting, and timber can continue to store carbon during the lifecycle of the products and buildings in which it is used. For every tree harvested, four new trees are planted.’
Felicity Gaffney, President of the Tree Council of Ireland, commented:
‘National Tree Day is about turning learning into action. Through “Planting for the Planet”, we want children to explore the many ways trees support our environment, from providing habitats for wildlife to capturing carbon. With the support of Glennon Brothers, we can provide 2,000 free Scots Pine saplings and classroom resources to schools across Ireland and hopefully inspire a lifelong appreciation of trees and forests.’
Schools can claim one of 2,000 free Scots Pine saplings at treeday.ie, where teachers will also find ready-to-use classroom resources, nature activities and information about the Scots Pine to bring National Tree Day to life in the classroom and outdoors.
