Tree Group

Clive Stevens

The RCAS Tree Group reviews planning applications regarding trees and provides comments where appropriate. In serious cases this may involve contacting the applicant and neighbours to discuss their views. Recently, with so many trees being removed, we are putting extra effort into the planting of new trees (which is a bureaucratic nightmare - see below for more details). We welcome interest from all locals whether RCAS members or not.

90 years 90 feet

Did you know ?
90 feet 90 years
80 years 80 feet Urban trees are good for you because...
70 years 70 feet 70 years 70 feet
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 they absorb pollutants, particulates and CO2

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they improve the look of an area and house prices

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they can fix steep slopes and reduce flood risk
50 feet 50 years 50 feet 50 years 50 years
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they can act as a sunshade

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they can reduce noise

30 years 30 feet 30 years
bulletan avenue of large trees helps reduce stress and improve well being...
London plane Beautiful!   ...and one large tree is better at this than 10 small ones.

Urban trees aren’t bad for us as long as...

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they are cut back correctly and regularly (Bristol CC actually do this right !)

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if they grow large, when mature their height means there is a view underneath so they are not a hazard for motorists, nor a crime risk, nor a block to CCTV

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water and gas repairs are done to the correct guidelines not to damage roots

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trees that grow large aren’t planted too close to buildings and with root management systems

The problem...

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20% of urban trees will be killed within in 10 years by poor services repairs (ditches etc)

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2 million trees have just been felled by Network Rail (many were urban trees)

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Retail parks are often devoid of trees to give clear views of shop fascias, adverts and for CCTV

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England has only 5% urban tree cover compared with 10% in Holland and 37% in France

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New urban trees planted in Britain tend to be small species like Rowan, Mountain Ash and Snowy Mespilus which do not deliver the benefits above

RCAS is aiming to plant more trees in the area to replace the large number lost as a result of felling of trees in residents' gardens and in streets and parks in our area. We have been told that each tree planted in grass will cost £350 to plant and water for three years until the tree is established. Trees planted in pavements will cost between £700 and £1000 because of the problem of construction and the possible conflict with underground services. The council budget for trees is very small and most of it is going on tree management, so RCAS is funding trees, we hope as a short term measure, until the council starts to put more resources into new planting.

October 2007 Press Release Making Bristol a Greener City

Unique opportunity to build heritage in Redland

The RCAS is trying to do something never before achieved in Bristol, and that is to plant two street trees in brand new locations. Planting street trees is something of a rarity, but in new locations - on a roundabout and in a pavement buildout - is unheard of. A year ago we thought this was a good idea; 12-months later, after man days of work chasing BCC, the Highways and Parks department do as well, so we are now raising funds for two large-growing trees in these prime sites in Redland; a Plane Tree for the roundabout at the junction of Redland Road with Redland Hill, AND a Large Maple in the pavement buildout at the junction of Clyde Road and Redland Road. Please click here for more details.  CS

For more information or to contribute towards tree planting please contact Clive. (See Contacts page)

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