Cherry Laurel Threatens Ireland's Ecosystem | Cork News

Cork News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 20, 2026 · 1m

Cherry laurel, that pretty-looking shrub you see everywhere from Fermoy Town Park to your neighbor’s garden, is quietly wreaking havoc on Ireland’s ecosystems. A new national assessment dubs it a high-risk invasive species—driving biodiversity loss, costing money, and even harming public health and social well-being. Backed by the National Biodiversity Data Centre, the report has environmental groups like the Irish Wildlife Trust and Gaelic Woodland Project demanding urgent action: a nationwide sales ban and official recognition as a Species of National Concern. They’re also pushing for its…