Bristol businesses are being encouraged to back a new campaign to double the number of trees in the city.
Talking Trees aims to raise awareness of the benefits of urban trees by inviting citizens and businesses to pledge their support for doubling the city’s canopy cover.
While most people know that trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, they tend to be taken for granted with little thought given to how they got there or who maintains them.
Experts believe that Bristol’s canopy, which stands at around 15%, needs to double by 2050 to help combat climate change and air pollution, protect and enhance biodiversity and promote health and wellbeing.
The Talking Trees campaign is being delivered by Bristol City Council, Bristol Tree Forum, Forest of Avon Trust and the Woodland Trust, which are working together to develop a tree strategy for Bristol.
Bristolians are being invited to share a ‘tree selfie’ with the tag #TalkingTreesBristol, volunteer to survey trees, plant or sponsor a tree, or sign the tree charter.
Businesses can get involved through corporate tree sponsorship and by encouraging their staff to participate.
Deputy mayor Cllr Asher Craig, who has responsibility for communities, said: “We have identified a need to double the city’s canopy cover in order to combat air pollution and enhance Bristol’s urban environment.
“We are calling on all citizens and businesses in Bristol to show their support for urban trees. By working together, we can protect our urban trees and create a legacy for future generations.”
Woodland Trust regional external affairs officer Catherine Brabner-Evans said: “We want people in Bristol to really notice the trees in our streets, in our local parks, outside our shops and offices and see how vital they are for our health and wellbeing and for nature.”
She said the partnership would help deliver a vision for a city rich in woods and trees. “We want everyone to get involved – whether it’s sharing a photo, planting a tree or volunteering your time,” she added.
One organisation that is already working with the Bristol Tree Forum and Bristol City Council is the University of Bristol, which embarked on a three-year tree sponsorship programme in 2015.
The university’s Professor of Regenerative Medicine John Tarlton said sponsoring tree planting was a tangible, practical and valuable way to contribute to the green environment across the city.
“As the treasurer of Bristol Tree Forum, I was aware of the gap in Bristol City Council’s funding which resulted in a cut in the tree budget,” said Prof Tarlton, pictured above.
“The university donated £60,000 to plant 130 semi-mature trees, particularly in less affluent areas that lack tree cover, and to engage school pupils in educational events around the activities of the University Botanic Garden.
“This project is now in its third and final year, with most of the trees now planted. Each of these can be identified around the city by a University of Bristol plaque.”
The Woodland Trust, which owns and manages Bishops Knoll woodland on the outskirts of Sneed Park, is giving free trees to schools, communities and landowners to help Bristol reach its target. It is also looking for a major urban planting site.
The Forest of Avon Trust is part of a national programme of community forests across England. So far, well over 1m trees have been planted in and around Bristol. Forest of Avon also runs a range of projects such as woodland wellbeing and forest school programmes and is training volunteers to survey Bristol’s trees.
The Bristol Tree Forum is a group of volunteers who are dedicated to increasing the tree canopy cover in Bristol.
Bristol City Council is responsible for protecting trees and managing trees on public land. It also runs the One Tree Per Child programme and co-ordinates a tree sponsorship scheme for new planting.
To find out more visit www.talkingtreesbristol.co.uk
