Some years ago, Mark asked me if it would be possible to map the trees in Richard Bland''s collection of Veteran, Champion and Remarkable trees. From this has grown the TreesofBristol web site. As a retired computing lecturer from UWE, I'm glad to be able to use my programming skills to help in the aims of BTF.

I am also lucky to live on Morley Square, the only private square in Bishopston and it's a joy to have this small park on my doorstep and to help in its upkeep.

Jim grew up in treeless and bomb-damaged Fulham, the only greenery, weeds in the pavement cracks. Aged seven, the family moved to Roehampton with space for the young Jim to dig holes in the back garden and where his school enchouraged his growing interest in gardening. More interested in plants than studying, Jim left school with no O-levels and joined the city Parks department, where an army of staff looked after 17 city parks. Jim worked his way up the ladder, moving round the country and gaining his Parks and Horticultural Certificates. Jim working in a variety of locations, includieng Cambridge Uniersity and as head gardener at Oxford Brookes University, developed the gardens at Headington Hill Hall. He retired to Filwood in Filwood, becoming the first and longest-standing Tree Champion in Bristol Tree Forum.

I have had a lifelong affinity for trees, though I suspect my best tree climbing days are behind me.

I started getting involved with tree planting on Redland Green in the early 2000s, and as a result came across others with a similar enthusiasm. It turns out these other enthusiasts had recently started the Bristol Tree Forum, which seemed like a very good idea.

I am now in my 15th year as a member, and have been treasurer for a number of years.

My main interests are in tree planting; direct action campaigning, and planning policy.

Over the last few years I have organized the annual Tree Giveaway, which has, so far, given away around 10,000 trees to members of the public in Bristol and beyond. I have also personally planted well over 1000 trees.

My direct action campaigns have included the M32 Maples, the Ashley Down Oak and Baltic Wharf campaigns, amongst others, and this has given me the opportunity to meet some great, and very dedicated, people.

Planning policies, and how they are implemented, are crucial for the protection of our trees. I am active in trying to influence planning policy, but also attend many planning committee meetings to try to save trees threatened by developers that often ignore policies protecting them.

I am also interested in how trees can protect us against climate change by absorbing CO 2 , and how trees in urban spaces are crucial for our resilience to the worst effects of climate change.

I am an “almost” retired professor at the University of Bristol, researching musculoskeletal conditions.

My concerns regarding urban trees go back to the cable TV trenching in the late 1980s and I wrote my first article on the BBC website as we established an informal group called Bristol Street Trees and have contributed to many other articles and blogs since. The points I made back then remain relevant now. I was involved in setting up the BTF in 2008 and have stayed involved since. We recognised that we needed a better way of conducting our discussions with Bristol City Council.

I am particularly interested in community engagement in tree management decisions. My paper on Community engagement in urban tree management decisions: the Bristol case study was published in the Arboricultural journal.

I have been a BTF Tree Champion since 2011 in the days of the Neighbourhood Partnerships (NP). What prompted my interest in working with the Council on Street Trees was when I moved into my current house in March 2006 only to watch the penultimate street tree in my road being felled. I first saw “my street” in January 1973, and it was a magnificent Avenue of weeping Silver Birch. That day only one was left (the one outside my house!). Enquiries of Tree officers revealed a 17-year waiting list for stump replacement. I was successful in getting a grant from the NP and the road was replanted in 2009. By then I had contact details for Tree Officers at BCC and was thus uniquely qualified (everyone else locally took one step back!) to be the Tree Champion for our area, and was co-opted onto the NP. The then Chair of the BTF, Clive Stevens, went round to NP meetings seeking out anyone who had had anything to do with the trees in their area, and the rest is history.

It can take just one thing to spark interest. I knew nothing about trees other than they are quite lovely and much needed. Since the dissolution of NPs I have remained as Tree Champion for Stoke Bishop.

I have worked as arborist for 20 years. I have been employed in all aspects of tree care and spent quite a few years working on Ancient and Veteran trees in the Royal Parks, London. I have volunteered as a verifier for the National Trust’s Ancient Tree Initiative. I hold the Arboricultural Association’s Level 4 Technician Certificate and have a good knowledge of fungi/tree interactions. Over the years I have been involved in various high profile tree campaigns including the Sheffield street tree fiasco for which I organised a large art raffle and subsequent exhibition which raised a few thousand pounds for the campaign. I am a keen tree photographer and am currently working on an exhibition.

I've been a Tree Champion for 3 years now. I've always loved trees and nature and am very actively involved in my local nature groups in Brislington

I'm always happy to take a walk in nature to chat and get involved in tree planting or other nature projects