[2.12] South East City Suburbs (2021 Canopy Cover: 16%) Like the North-East, a number of the mature trees found in the South-East suburbs were associated with the grounds of former country houses. Grounds associated with Old Court now form the publicly accessible Coillte (Garryduff) Recreational site. Plans are also underway for the provision of a new city park at the grounds of Vernon Mount House. Other significant tree stands associated with country houses include Bessboro House, Ballincurrig House, Dundanion House & Castle, Ravenscourt, and current Rochestown Park Hotel, and Ballybrack House (Managala Woods). The South-East suburbs also include unique tree features such as the Beaumont Quarry (a former limestone quarry that now serves as woodland and an urban wildlife sanctuary); the Marina promenade (which was first planted in the 1850’s); the Mahon/Passage West Greenway (portions of which are constructed along the track of a former railway line); several tree corridors along small streams located within the residential neighbourhoods of Donnybrook, Frankfield, Grange and Maryborough. [2.13] South West City Suburbs (2021 Canopy Cover: 13%) The largest grouping of trees in the South West Suburbs are along riverbanks, including the River Lee, the Glasheen River and particularly along the Curraheen River. The Curraheen River serves as both an amenity walk and an ecological corridor. Woodlands along it extend into the grounds of Cork Business and Technology Park on Model Farm Road and Murphy’s Farm recreation area. University College Cork is also located in this subarea. The UCC campus comprises an internationally accredited arboretum hosting around 120 different tree species. Some of the highlights include a pair of c. 150-year-old Giant Redwoods, a Strawberry (Arbutus) Tree, and a ‘champion’ Wing Nut. 5 Two cemeteries are also notable. Some trees in Saint Finbarr’s Cemetery were planted when the cemetery first opened in the 1860s. St. Joseph’s Cemetery is built on the grounds of the former Cork Botanic Gardens, which first opened in 1808. [2.14] Urban Towns (Average Urban Town 2021 Canopy Cover: 18%) Ballincollig had 14% tree canopy cover in 2021. The Ballincollig Regional Park is home to over 3,200 trees, several of which are remnants of older woodland. Other significant tree stands are found along the River Lee to the east of the Regional Park and on the grounds of Parknamore House. Lands adjacent to Oriel House Hotel, which was originally built in 1800 as part of the Administration offices for the Gun Powder Mills, also have significant mature tree coverage. [2.15] In 2021, Glanmire had a tree canopy cover of 25%, the highest of all the city areas/neighbourhoods. There are extensive mature woodlands along the sloping banks of the Glashaboy River, including lands that make up John O’Callaghan Park. Wooded riparian corridors are also found along the Glanmire and Riverstown watercourses. Concentrations of mature trees are also found on the grounds of former country houses, including Ballinglanna House, Glenkeen House, and Poulacurry House.
5 More details are available at www.ucc.ie/en/arboretum Champion trees are defined as individual trees which are exceptional examples of their species because of their enormous size.
[ Baseline and Trends ]
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