STOP PRESS 11 Feb 2022 – We have now reached our target and are no longer taking any new Orders. Thank you all for your support.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 and delays in government funding, there were postponements and cancellations of many major tree planting projects. A consequence of this was that large numbers of tree saplings planned for planting projects were threatened with destruction, including 750,000 two year old English oak tree saplings at the Maelor Forest Nursery in Wrexham.
Rather than see these trees destroyed, Bristol Tree Forum purchased 1,000 of the oak saplings for free distribution to anyone able to plant them.
As a result of the amazing response to this scheme we increased our order to 1600 saplings all of which were distributed and planted.
Due to the success of last year’s project, the Bristol Tree Forum have ordered another thousand saplings. Because we may have somewhat exhausted the demand for oaks, this year we have ordered a mixture of white (or downy) birch and alder. Both are native trees of great benefit to wildlife, and are tolerant of poor soil and wet conditions.
For those that would prefer oak saplings, we have partnered with the Arkbound Foundation who are distributing oaks as part of their Oakupy project. These can either be ordered using the form below, or directly from Oakupy. We will get delivery in late January or early February. The trees can be collected from a site in Redland, Bristol.
The saplings come bare-rooted (i.e. out of the soil) and need to be planted as soon as possible after collection, although the viability of the trees over winter can be extended by storing the trees with the roots covered in damp soil.
The form below is to find out who would like to have saplings for planting and how many, and for you to provide basic contact details (email and/or phone number) for us to organise collection of the trees. Contact details will not be used for any other purpose.
The importance of planting trees?
Despite advances in carbon capture technology, the most efficient and cost-effective way to sequester carbon from the atmosphere is to plant trees. For instance, a single mature oak tree is the equivalent of 18 tonnes of CO2 or 16 passenger return transatlantic flights.
Recent scientific reports estimate that planting trees wherever we can, without occupying land used for other purposes, would absorb up to two thirds of the carbon emitted in the last century.
Trees are vital in supporting biodiversity, with oak trees capable of supporting over 2,300 different species, including birds, mammals, invertebrates, mosses, lichen and fungi.
Trees improve air quality by absorbing both gaseous (e.g., NO2) and particulate pollution. They reduce traffic noise and flooding and improve physical and mental wellbeing. Crucially, with life threatening heat waves predicted to occur every other year by 2050, trees can reduce the city heat island effect, potentially saving lives.
This project is funded by the Bristol Tree Forum in partnership with the Arkbound Foundation.
