Tree planting for a greener Bristol
The University of Bristol, in partnership with Bristol City Council and the Bristol Tree Forum, has pledged around £60,000 to plant trees across the city over the next three years as part of European Green Capital.
Trees play an important role in city life. They reduce air pollution, flooding, traffic noise, the urban heat island effect and atmospheric CO2 as well as increasing biodiversity. They are visually appealing and known for their positive impact on city dwellers.
Along with Bristol City Council’s ‘One Tree Per Child’ initiative, this will extend Bristol’s green canopy. By creating more places for both people and wildlife to enjoy, we hope to improve city living, leaving a verdant and lasting legacy of Bristol’s Green Capital year.
The project is being delivered in two phases: an initial period of replacing existing tree stumps with new, healthy trees; and a second stage launching this year whereby brand new trees will be planted across the city.
“We wanted to do something which would leave a lasting legacy after European Green Capital 2015 and felt improving the city’s tree canopy was the perfect way to achieve this. Not only will the trees be in place for many decades to come, improving the environment for everyone, but the project has been a great example of our students and staff working with the local community to make a real difference.” - Professor Judith Squires, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education
"I am an electrician so I work all over the city. Some areas look really depressing and I couldn't understand why. Then one day last month whilst driving through an estate, it suddenly struck me that there were no trees! Just road, pavement and small brick walls up to the houses. So I am heartened to see this project and hope that some of those trees are planted among those depressing natureless areas." - Damien, local resident
Phase 1. Tree replacement
Stumps are being replaced by new trees in sixty locations across Bristol neighbourhoods chosen by the project partners: Easton and Lawrence Hill; Filwood, Knowle and Windmill Hill; Greater Bedminster; Greater Fishponds; Horfield and Lockleaze; and St George. Student volunteers, organised by Bristol Hub, helped identify the location of each spot by surveying sites of existing tree stumps.
The project was launched in December 2015 with two trees replanted in a street in Easton, with the remaining trees to be. The remainder will be planted during the winter months as this is the best time to plant trees successfully.
Phase 2: Tree planting 2016
Brand new trees will be planted in locations across the city. In the long-term, we hope that the project will lead to the creation of a Bristol Tree Walk, as part of the Know Your Bristol website, giving further information on the tree species and history.
Keep updated with our planting progress on social media: #UoBgreen #UoBtrees
Please contact cpe-info@bristol.ac.uk to find out more about this project.