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© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
Owing to United Kingdom-wide concern over a possible failure of timber, a voluntary committee of landowners and agriculturalists, convened under the presidency of the Governor, Lord Henniker, reported on the suitability of the Island for treeplanting and afforestation on 8 December 1896. [Isle of Man Examiner 15 January 1897].
The objects of the society founded as a result of the findings of that committee were 'the encouragement and promotion of treeplanting in all its branches, and the dissemination of knowledge in connection therewith, so as to ensure that trees found suitable to the climate of the Isle of Man be cultivated'. It hoped to raise funds for the implementation of its schemes to buy trees and employ professional advice, by subscriptions and donations, and by an annual grant from the Manx Government. The society promised that 'in a few years a new industry will be firmly established to the great benefit of the community generally, and that then the glens and waste lands of our Island would be a source of wealth, and would be beautified to an extent that would meet with the approval of visitors and residents alike, and add one charm more to our island as a health and pleasure resort.'
Received with press enthusiasm but much less public-spirited generosity in the making of donations, in spite of a serious interest in improving the amenities of the main resorts - Douglas by attempts to grow palm trees on the Promenade - the committee was handicapped by lack of funds. In 1898 the constitution of the society was amended to allow for the addition of six members nominated by the Governor and received a government grant, Over the years merging into the official Manx Tree Planting Board', a forerunner of the Isle of Man Forestry Board, now partof the present Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests.
M.N.H.L., Isle of Man Newspapers, ut supra;
Report of the Manx Tree planting Board, for year ending 31 March 1916,
Debates in the Manx Legislature, vol. 34, Oct. 10, 1916, to Aug.14, 1917.
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Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
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