Trees for Cities keeps on planting in Bristol

Following the successful launch of the Trees for Cities initiative in Bristol last year, the charity and its partners Bristol City Council and the Forest of Avon are now looking to build on that success and will be holding a volunteer planting day on Tuesday 13th February 2007.

With support from HSBC, the charity’s first national corporate supporter, the aim is to develop and implement a tree-planting programme, which will see the planting of some 10,000 trees in and around Bristol by 2015.

The planting event will kick off at 10am on Tuesday 13th February at St George Park in East Bristol, with HSBC volunteers, local residents and environmental groups all on site to lend their support to this greening initiative.  Children from Summerhill Junior School will be involved in the tree planting and a programme of woodland activities through the Forest of Avon ‘Wood School’ project – a 3 year initiative funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, to engage schools and communities with their local woodland heritage.

At just under 15 hectares, St George Park is home to a beautiful ornamental lake and is host to an array of wildlife – such as squirrels, coots, moorhens and ducks. The trees planted on the day -Scots Pine, Wild Cherry, Ash, English Oak, and Walnut – were carefully selected to replace trees being felled as a result of old age and disease, which have led to safety concerns. The aim is to ensure a continuation of mature trees, for the park to retain its Victorian style and splendour, and provide a vital habitat for urban wildlife. 

Richard Ennion, Natural Environment Co-ordinator, Bristol Parks, comments:  “The city council is delighted to be working with Trees for Cities and local communities across the city.  Trees and woodland play an important role in how we feel about where we live and work.  They make a valuable contribution to the local environment and improve the quality of life in our city.”

Sue Farthing, Regional Manager HSBC in the Community for The West, Wales and Northern Ireland comments: “We are delighted to support Trees for Cities in Bristol. Our HSBC community focus is supporting the environment and education. With our local staff assisting with the tree planting and the local school coming to help, this project is a great example of HSBC in the Community. Our customers and staff live and work in this beautiful city and it is only right that we give something back.”

Graham Simmonds, Chief Executive for Trees for Cities, comments:  “Our aim as an independent environmental charity is to get local people, particularly the younger generation, involved in greening needy urban areas. SO do please come and join us on the 13th February – wear stout boots and waterproofs and be prepared to get your green fingers a bit greener!”

The development of Trees for Cities’ activities in the UK is also being supported by the Department for Communities and Local Government (formerly the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) through its Special Grants Programme, and this is enabling the charity to engage the local communities and plant trees in other cities as well as Bristol, such as Manchester and Leeds.

Ends

Press release issued: February 6 2007