[2.16] Blarney had tree canopy cover of 18% in 2021. The largest woodlands are found along the River Martin and on the grounds of Blarney Castle Estate. The ancient, native woodlands associated with the castle estate include the ‘Witch’s Yew Tree’, thought to be over 600 years old. Another unique feature of Blarney is the historic circular group of trees known as ‘Ring Wood’, visible on Ordnance Survey maps from the 1830’s. [2.17] Tower had an overall canopy cover of 19% in 2021. There are significant concentrations of trees along the banks of the Shournagh River. The village is also home to historic woodlands visible in 1830’s Ordnance Survey maps, including lands adjacent to the former site of the historic St. Ann’s Hydro. Historic woodland groupings are also located on lands near the national school and the existing treeline along the former Muskerry tram line.
The ‘Witch’s Yew Tree’ at Blarney Castle Estate was a finalist in European Tree of the Year 2020
[2.18] Hinterland (2021 Canopy Cover: 12%) The Hinterland is predominately characterised by open pastures and cultivated fields in agricultural use. While the hinterland includes some commercial coniferous plantations, most woodlands in the area are broadleaved. The 2010 Provisional National Inventory of Ancient and Long-Established Woodland identified groups of older woodlands in the vicinity of Blarney and Tower, near the banks of the Shournagh River. There are further small pockets found along the River Lee. While many trees within the hinterland are significant for biodiversity, these older woodlands are considered particularly important.
The Hinterland also contains an estimated 1,400 km of hedgerows[4], which form boundaries between fields and provide important ecological corridors. Some of these hedgerows, particularly those planted along townland boundaries, may contain the remnants of older woodlands. [9]
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[ Cork City Council - Tree Strategy ]
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