There has been a 95% reduction in the planting of Sitka spruce over the past 30 years, according to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon.

The minister was recently asked by Wicklow-Wexford Fine Gael TD Martin Brennan about the area of Sitka spruce planted compared to that of broadleaves and native conifers planted.

Minister Heydon said: “The total forest area in Ireland is composed of 69% conifers and 31% broadleaves.

“Sitka spruce is the most common conifer tree species in Ireland, occupying 45% of the total forest area.”

The minister said that in 1993, Sitka spruce was “the dominant species planted, representing 81% of the area afforested that year”. 

However, he said that in 2025, “Sitka spruce represented 29% of the area planted”.

Area terms

Minister Heydon added: “In area terms, there has been a 95% reduction in the planting of Sitka spruce from 12,970ha in 1993 to 701ha in 2025. 

“In 2016, the area of Sitka spruce planted was 4,554ha. 

According to Minister Heydon, successive forestry programmes included criteria to "ensure that multiple tree species were used in every new forest”.

He added: “Initially, criteria established minimum requirements for mixtures and overtime expanded to include a minimum requirement for broadleaves. 

“My department's current forestry programme 2023-2027, provides land-owners with the opportunity to plant a wide range of forest types, which include native and non-native species so that forests can provide the wide range of benefits required by society.” 

The minister said that those who wish to plant a new forest of Sitka spruce must plant 20% broadleaves.

"In addition, 15% of the area is normally left unplanted for biodiversity (this includes setbacks from hedgerows, unplanted strips along streams and roads etc)," Minister Heydon said.