The Government has launched a five-year plan to reverse more than 400 years neglect of the country's woodlands.
The scheme will provide financial backing for landowners to improve existing woods and establish new ones.
Announcing the initiative, Mr Hugh Byrne, Minister of State at the Department of Marine and Natural Resources, said woodlands had been the victims of exploitation and neglect for the past 400 years, and now accounted for just one per cent of the country's total land area.
He declared: "This scheme is aimed at encouraging the pro-active protection and expansion of our native woodland resources and associated biodiversity.
Mr Byrne said the blueprint underscored the importance of woodland in rural communities and provided an alternative land use to agriculture.
"It provides for a unique partnership involving landowners, statutory bodies, environmental interests and the private sector, which will ensure that native woodlands survive - and indeed thrive - as a legacy for future generations," he said.
Under the scheme, woodland projects will be assessed by a number of government authorities with expertise in the area.
Grant aid for landowners will provide up to £5,300 a hectare of land for the establishment of woods and £3,500 a hectare for improvement projects.
PA