About BTF

We are a group of volunteers dedicated to protecting and increasing the tree canopy cover of Bristol’s urban forest.

Why? Because tree cover brings so many benefits to an urban environment: a shared amenity, public health, economic growth, reduced pollution and flooding, wildlife, food and a better sense of well-being.

Our aims are to: 

  • Provide a forum to encourage community engagement in Bristol’s urban tree management decisions.
  • Promote the importance and value of Bristol’s urban trees.
  • Work to increase tree canopy cover in Bristol through better protection of existing trees and planting new ones.

Our terms of reference are:

  • protect and enhance our urban trees in streets, parks, gardens and all open spaces.
  • encourage Bristol City Council (BCC) to ensure the replacement of trees that have been (and continue to be) removed.
  • identify and access funding to ensure the retention of mature trees in our city and slow the present rate of felling.
  • identify and access funding for the planting of new and replacement urban trees.
  • stabilise then increase the urban canopy cover in line with the One City Plan to double tree canopy cover by 2046.
  • work with BCC to plan for “climate proofing” our city in accordance with predicted urban temperature increases in the 21st century.
  • argue for a fact-based approach to ensure that Bristol achieves a sustainable balance between the built form / hard surface and tree canopy cover.
  • provide a mechanism for open consultation on urban trees issues between local community groups, interested professional bodies and several BCC Departments.
  • promote greater understanding of the amenity value of trees and stay up-to-date with current thinking, policy and research.

This is our Constitution.

Here are our Minutes.

This is our Privacy Policy.

Some of the things we do…

  • Comment on Planning Policies and Applications.
  • Source funds for planting new and replacing existing trees.
  • Identify and protect established & remarkable trees.
  • Help local communities plant trees.
  • Find locations to plant new trees across the city.
  • Link up with local community groups and other stakeholders and help them appreciate trees and promote tree planting & protection.

We are not the only ones who love trees. Here are some others :

Trees of Bristol                             Bristol Parks Forum

One Tree Per Child                      One Tree Per Child – Facebook

Avon Wildlife Trust                     Forest of Avon Trust     

Woodland Trust                            Treeconomics 

Avon Needs Trees Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG)

The Street Tree                             Avon Gardens Trust      

Urban Pollinators Project           The Tree Register           

The Tree Council                         Birmingham Trees for Life

Trees for Cities                            Manchester City of Trees

People’s Trust for Endangered Species

 PS. Please let us know if we have missed you out and we will gladly add you to the list.

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