Work to replace hundreds of trees felled at Gosford Forest Park in January is not expected to begin until next year.
The popular park, near Markethill, was devastated when Storm Éowyn’s catastrophic winds caused unprecedented damage.
Across Northern Ireland, thousands of homes and businesses were left without power, buildings suffered structural damage and trees were toppled.
Naturally, forest parks such as Gosford sustained the brunt of the damage.
Now it has been revealed that work on “reforestation” at Slieve Gullion Forest Park in south Armagh has already begun.
But it will be 2026 before similar action is taken at Gosford.
Storm Éowyn’s red alert strength – with winds reaching in excess of 80mph – has seen months of clearing-up being carried out, work which is still continuing.
In the aftermath, parks had to be closed to the public in the interests of health and safety.
In recent weeks, lane closures in areas around the perimeter at Gosford have had to be put in place as specialists have been working to remove trees in danger of collapsing onto public roads.
Northern Ireland Environment Minister Andrew Muir has provided an update on the planned replanting schemes which aim to put right some of the worst damage caused in January.
He has given a written update in response to a question from Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty.
The SDLP had sought details of intended “reforestation” at Slieve Gullion and Gosford.
Minister Muir said: “My officials have advised that land adjacent to Slieve Gullion Forest, which was previously leased by Forest Service until 2022, is currently undergoing reforestation by the landowner.
“I understand this includes planting trees and natural regeneration with native species on the lower slopes and the development of native flora on upper slopes in line with an environmental management plan.”
In terms of Markethill, the Minister added: “The reforestation of areas at Gosford Forest, where clearance of trees damaged by Storm Éowyn is currently ongoing, is scheduled to commence in the forthcoming 2026 planting season.”
According to the Woodland Trust, the planting of trees is recommended when they are dormant and “less likely to get damaged”.
A registered charity, the Trust advises: “Tree planting season runs between November and March, although it can stretch a bit longer in Scotland and Northern Ireland.”
Any programme of reforestation would be expected to take some considerable time, given the sheer scale of loss experienced to the tree population.
