00:00For generations, some of Bristol's trees have been a familiar part of the city's streets, parks and neighbourhoods.
00:08But the collapse of a 166-year-old copper beech in Victoria Square has highlighted concerns about the future of
00:17some of the city's oldest trees
00:19and the growing pressures that can affect their health and stability.
00:23The tree had already been scheduled for removal before it collapsed, but its loss has prompted fresh attention on the
00:31challenges facing mature trees.
00:33Professor Andrew Bailey, an expert in molecular mycology, says trees are particularly vulnerable because they cannot adapt quickly enough to
00:43changing environmental conditions.
00:45One of the problems can begin beneath the ground.
00:47Soil compaction caused by people walking over tree root systems can reduce the amount of air reaching the roots and
00:55prevent water from draining away properly.
00:58That can become particularly difficult during periods of increasingly varied weather.
01:04Wetter winters can leave the ground saturated, whilst hot, dry summers put additional stress on trees.
01:11The combination of environmental pressures and natural ageing can make mature trees more susceptible to fungal infections.
01:20These infections can develop over many years, gradually destroying roots and weakening the structure that keeps a tree standing.
01:29But fungi are not always harmful.
01:33Many are naturally present in British woodlands and play an important role in the wider ecosystem.
01:39Decaying wood can provide habitats for beetles and other organisms, which depend on it.
01:44Bristol-based naturalist Steve England says the effects of extreme weather are already becoming apparent in local ecosystems.
01:53He observed berry-bearing trees, including hawthorn and rowan, producing berries which are dehydrating much earlier.
02:01He said that could leave migrating birds with less food available.
02:04Prolonged rainfall can create another problem, particularly in areas where trees are growing in heavy clay soils.
02:12The water can struggle to drain away in these conditions, leaving the ground saturated.
02:17For residents, the loss of an established tree can also mean losing something with a personal and historical significance.
02:24Bristol City Council confirmed that the decision to remove the Victoria Square tree was made in September.
02:30The council says its trees are inspected every one to five years, depending on how heavily the surrounding area is
02:36used.
02:37A spokesperson said measures to protect significant trees include regular inspections and soil management to support their root systems.
02:45The challenge is not simply replacing trees when they fall, but understanding how to protect the mature trees which remain,
02:51so they can continue to be part of Bristol's landscape for generations to come.
02:56University of Manchester University of London
