Trees & Plants

Within the Glenveagh National Park lies 100 hectares of woodland. The dominant species of trees are Oak and Birch. Oakwoods such as that at Glenveagh occur mainly in upland areas in Ireland , Scotland and Wales. In fact, this is one of the last remaining ancient Oak Forests of Ireland, with some of the trees over 200 years old.

Many of Ireland’s other native trees are also growing in the Glenveagh woodland. Scots Pine, Trembling poplar, Aspen, Birch and Hazel are all present. In fact, Glenveagh owes its name to the Birch tree. The Irish Gleann Bheatha translates to ‘ Valley of Birch ’. Non-native trees include Rowan/Mountain Ash, Sycamore, Horse Chestnut and Larch.

These trees provide shelter for a wide variety of animals, including over 200 species of insects that have made these trees their home. The Rowan/Mountain Ash, Hawthorn and Whitebeam are an extremely good source of food for birds.

Mosses, ferns, liverworts and saxifrage are among the plant species that occupy the wetter areas of the woodland.