Ogham Stone Trail oak plantation wilts

Ogham Stone Trail oak plantation wilts

By Aideen O'Flaherty

A FIRHOUSE resident has voiced his concerns over the appearance of 20 oak trees in the Firhouse end of Dodder Valley Park. The trees appear to have died.

The trees were planted by South Dublin County Council last April for the Ogham Stone Native Irish Tree Trail in Dodder Valley Park, but since then the branches have been wilting and the leaves have turned brown.

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The oak trees in Dodder Valley Park

One local resident, James, who asked to be referred to only by his first name, told The Echo: “Recently the Ogham Stone Native Irish Tree Trail at Dodder Valley Park was officially opened in Firhouse.

“It’s a really nice idea, but the twenty oaks planted seem to have died already, or certainly look that way to me. Is this the case? If so, what happened?

“Was the soil unsuitable? Was it an ill-conceived plan?

“Those oak trees cost €60 each and there were about 20 of them planted – it’s a fair bit of money down the drain if they have died.

“The cost isn’t the worst aspect of it – if 20 healthy, young oak trees have died, it is a shame.”

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A close up of the wilting leaves

Speaking following the opening of the trail last April, the council’s director of services, Teresa Walsh, said the trail was developed “to deliver on SDCC’s Corporate Objective to maintain and improve our parks and recreational areas”.

A council spokesperson said: “The Council is aware of this matter, unfortunately the oak trees failed to establish and the council has contacted the Nursery to have them replaced during the Winter planting period. This was not a maintenance issue”.

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