An additional 1,000ha of forestry has been planted in Ireland this year compared with last, as the year comes near its close.
As of the week ending 12 December, some 2,515ha of forestry had been planted in 2025. That is compared with 1,573ha in 2024 and 1,652ha in 2023.
The figure for 2025 is likely to rise, with two weeks of figures left to be reported.
April 2025 proved to be the most prolific month for planting, with 378ha planted. This represents the highest level of planting in a single month since the beginning of 2023.
March 2025 was the second-highest month at 364ha.
Target
The Government, during its last life cycle, set an annual afforestation target of 8,000ha in the climate action plan, a fraction of which has only been reached each year since.
Speaking in the Dáil in October, Minister of State with responsibility for forestry Michael Healy-Rae said he believed the area of forestry planted will hit almost 3,000ha this year.
Last week, Minister Healy-Rae officially announced a €55m replanting grant for storm-damaged forestry.
The reconstitution scheme can be accessed by private forest owners affected by storms Darragh and Éowyn.
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