SPAR National Tree Day

SPAR National Tree Day took place on 3rd October 2024, in partnership with The Tree Council of Ireland. The 2024 campaign, themed “Trees
are Magic- Draíocht na gCrann”, encouraged children, parents and teachers to connect directly with nature by planting one of the 2,000 Native Irish Hawthorn tree saplings available FREE to primary schools on www.treeday.ie.

SPAR National Tree Day offers a great opportunity for children and their teachers to step outside the classroom and foster a deeper understanding of trees and their role in nature. The 2024 campaign focused on the native Hawthorn tree, also known as Crataegus monogyna or An Sceach Gheal, which has roots in folklore and is believer to have special magical properties; importantly it plays a vital role in Ireland’s ecosystem. 

A native Irish species, the Hawthorn tree thrives in deciduous woodlands and hedgerows. It is known for its distinctive white flowers and vibrant red berries, which provide essential food for birds and insects. Importantly for biodiversity, the Hawthorn tree also holds a special place in Irish folklore, which it is know as the fairy tree, which fairies, know as Sidhe, gather. 

 To find out more about  SPAR National Tree Day 

visit www.treeday.ie.“