Historic tree to be chopped down after 100-year campaign to save it

By Georgia Cook

A Green-run council is set to cut down a tree after locals began trying to save it from the ax — 100 years ago.

The historic copper beech in Bristol's upscale Clifton Village has been standing since the 19th century.

Local authorities first suggested chopping it down in the 1920s.

But then one of Britain's first female architects and local resident Eveline Drew Blacker saved it after appealing to the council.

It was one of several copper beech trees planted when the park was first laid out around 1860.

The trees there have been monitored by council chiefs for years after a storm in 2013 caused a large one to fall and crush parked cars.

In 2017, Bristol City Council - now led by the Green Party - threatened to chop the beech down.

But more residents and a local tree group began a campaign to save it, convincing the officials to monitor it first.

An invasion of Meripilus giganteus fungus was found by experts in 2017.

The tree in Victoria Square can no longer withstand the fungus that has been growing around its base, officials say.

Experts have said the tree is simply not stable enough to continue maintenance and it is now set for the ax.

A council tree expert told Bristol Live: "The roots of this copper beech tree are infected, which has weakened the roots, increasing the risk of the tree falling over.

"We need to remove the tree, as it will become more unsafe for the public over time. We have carried out regular assessments to monitor the health of the tree since 2017, when the fungus was first identified.

"A specialist assessment, known as a Static Load Test, was carried out by external consultants in 2017, 2020, 2022 and in 2025.

"The test measures how stable the tree is and strength of its root system. Since 2020, tests have shown a gradual decline in the tree's stability as the fungal infection has spread.

"Over the last two summers, the tree canopy has produced smaller and fewer leaves, which is also a visible sign of the tree's poor health.

"This copper beech tree has been an important feature of Victoria Square for many years.

"We understand removing it will be disappointing to many people, and this decision has not been taken lightly.

"We are committed to maintaining and growing the city's tree population, and we will consider opportunities for replacement planting as part of the ongoing management of the park."

One woman took to Facebook to give a final suggestion.

She said: "Couldn't it be reduced in size so if it did fall it wouldn't cause damage to neighboring properties?"

Another said: "That is the Green Party for you."