News / Trees

Five trees on Centre have been felled

By Martin Booth  Sunday Jan 26, 2025

Only the stumps now remain of five trees on the Centre that have provided shelter for 25 years.

The London planes next to Broad Quay were felled on Sunday morning ahead of works due to take place to remodel the area which also will involve the removal of the fountains.

Despite anger that the trees would have to be cut down, council experts said that they have outgrown their shallow planters and could not be moved elsewhere.

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Council contractors chopped down the five trees on Sunday morning – photo: Martin Booth

The area between the Cascade Steps and Neptune’s statue will have more space for events and is due to be covered with a large-scale 2D artwork.

Five Judas trees will replace the London plane trees, which were planted in 2000 during the most recent remodelling of the Centre.

Only the stumps of the five felled trees now remain – photo: Martin Booth

Bristol City Council officers said the trees could not be replanted elsewhere as due to their size, they needed to be felled in sections.

Rebuilding the planters around the trees was also discounted as the roots are entwined within the cladding of the planters.

Work is due to start soon on remodelling the area of the Centre between Neptune’s statue and the Cascade Steps – photo: Martin Booth

Main photo: Martin Booth

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