The Sitka spruce problem has been an ongoing issue for at least the past 30 years (probably longer). The main problem is the acidification of the soil, resultin

The Sitka spruce problem has been an ongoing issue for at least the past 30 years (probably longer). The main problem is the acidification of the soil, resulting in a barren carpet of dead needles on the forest floor and a vastly diminished ecosystem. There’s a world of difference between a native deciduous forest and one of Coillte’s plantations. One of the most publicised hiking routes in Ireland, the Wicklow Way covers some beautiful countryside but a large proportion of it is marred by long, monotonous treks through fire-roads in between lines of Sitka. Coillte have a remit for recreational use of Ireland’s woodlands but historically, they have always prioritised the commercial aspect over all other considerations. For a private enterprise, this would make sense as the income from tourism doesn’t appear on their balance sheets – but having a broader mission is one of the reasons why Coillte are a semi-state company.