Ireland is a very productive place in which to grow trees. Most of Ireland’s forests were cut down over the years. One of the key people in reversing this situation was Augustine Henry. Although born in Scotland, his family and he soon returned to their home near Portglenone, Co. Antrim.
After graduating from Queen’s College (now University College) Galway, in 1881, he got a job as a doctor in China. He was interested in native medicines and started collecting botanical specimens to send back home.
In a change of career, he studied forestry in France, and was joint author, with Henry Elwes, of the famous seven-volume “The Trees of Great Britain and Ireland” (1907-1913). He was then appointed professor of forestry at the Royal College of Science in Dublin (later absorbed into University College).
It is only in recent years that his ideas have really borne fruit, and Ireland is now rapidly developing its forestry industry, especially using fast growing conifers, but also broadleaves.
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