Burrenbeo Christmas Tea Talk
Scots pine in the Burren – has it always been there?
with Fraser Mitchell and Bernard Carey
8:30pm, Wednesday, 11th December
Tubber Hall
Burrenbeo’s Tea Talk in December will focus on the history of Scots Pine in Ireland with a particular focus on the Burren.
Scots pine was one of the first trees to arrive in the Burren after the last glaciation. It dominated for a while and although it subsequently declined it appears to have hung on in most locations until about 2,000 years ago. How could such a dominant tree species have gone extinct while others have not? Could some Scots pine trees have survived the last 2,000 years in isolated locations? How could such survivors be detected in the landscape today?
These questions will be addressed by reviewing the history and prehistory of Scots pine and special attention will be paid to records from Rockforest where Scots pine appears to have maintained its continuity over the last 2,000 years. Fraser Mitchell is Professor in Quaternary Ecology in the Botany Department at Trinity College Dublin.
Bernard Carey, with special permission from NPWS, has been collecting and cultivating seeds of the small population of the original native Scots Pine trees that have survived in the Burren from before ice age to this day. He will talk briefly about the ins and outs of this fascinating project. Bernard Carey has been involved in Forestry for over two decades as a practicing Forester here in Clare and runs a plant nursery in Mountshannon, Co. Clare where he grows both native trees, wetland plants, and hedging.
The talk will start at the usual time of 8.30pm at Tubber hall but do join us from 8pm onward for a little Christmas celebration with mulled wine and mince pies. You are also welcome to bring your own baked goodies to share!
Christmas shop – We will also have a Christmas stall on the evening where you can buy Burrenbeo gifts at special prices – Burren Field Guides (€10), limited edition Burren Insight Magazines (€30 for 5), Burren Christmas cards(€8 for 10), and Áitbheo Toolkits(€10). Native Burren Scots Pine trees (from €2 to €5)will also be available to buy through our guest Bernard Carey.
Tubber Hall can be found on google maps here.
Talks are open to all, free to Burrenbeo Trust members and a suggested donation of €5 for non-members. More information on how to become a Burrenbeo Trust member can be found here: https://burrenbeo.com/support-us/become-a-member/