6.3%
The proportion of Northern Ireland covered in trees. It's well below the British average (12%) and far behind the most wooded part of the UK, Scotland (17.1%). And they say the politicians here can't see the wood for the trees...
I don't know what it is about 6.3%, but it's also the amount of renewable electricity as a percentage of our total supply that we are meant to produce by 2012. Thanks to the DUP's Alex Easton, the SDLP's Pat Ramsey and Ministers Gildernew and Dodds for these statistics.
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Does that include hedges?
Some years ago I visited Germany and mentally absorbed the aerial view of a generously tree clad landscape. Having seen such a pleasing sight I was saddened on my homeward journey to see the very naked landscape of Northern Ireland. Why not get back to planting trees in new and old developments.
This seems to be a very eco-unionist view of tree cover any chance of the statistics for the Republic of Ireland being included as well. I know this is a British Broadcasting Corporation Blog and they not see Northern Ireland being part of the island of Ireland.
Mark
LOTS OF DEAD WOOD ON THE STORMONT ESTATE
Does the wooded area figure of 6.3% take account of the one hundred & eight wooden planks littering the Assembly Chamber? Oh, of course not, there’s no need to count dead wood as its only purpose is to play host to an array of fungi and insects. Come to think of it, extensive cutting back of that collection of deadwood in the Assembly would definitely improve our environment.
Where’s the Chainsaw? I’m on my way!
Susie
Carryduff