Gristwood & Toms supports Fund4Trees’ mission to strengthen urban tree health with £5,000 grant

Gristwood & Toms, one the UK’s leading arboriculture specialist, a part of the Nurture Group, is proud to support Fund4Trees’ Urban Tree Life Cycle bike ride, taking place in Birmingham on 10-11 September 2025. This unique event promotes urban tree health, education, and research, highlighting the vital role of aftercare in ensuring trees thrive in our towns and cities.

As part of this initiative, Gristwood & Toms and the Nurture Group have donated a £5,000 research grant to Fund4Trees and secured the donation of fifty heavy standard trees from Hillier Nurseries. These trees will be gifted to the Birmingham Tree People for planting in parks across the city, reinforcing a commitment to enhancing the urban tree landscape.

Raising awareness for tree establishment, not just planting

The Urban Tree Life Cycle bike ride is a two-day event aimed at raising awareness of the importance of tree establishment rather than just tree planting. On the day one of the 80-mile bike ride, a team of professional arborists will dismantle an end-of-life tree leaving a large standing trunk. Local school children will be invited to view this wildlife habitat tree in the making with its chain-sawed hollows and coronet cuts, and they will plant a replacement tree nearby.

The second day will feature tree aftercare workshops at local schools and a 20-mile social bike ride to demonstrate the ongoing care required for urban trees to flourish.

A commitment to sustainability and urban tree health

Andrew Brightman, Managing Director of Gristwood & Toms, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “At Gristwood & Toms, we are passionate about preserving and enhancing the urban tree canopy. Supporting Fund4Trees’ Urban Tree Life Cycle event aligns with our core principles of sustainability, biodiversity enhancement, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

“Trees are vital to the health of our towns and cities, providing essential ecosystem benefits and improving air quality. By focusing on tree establishment rather than just planting, we can help ensure that the next generation of urban trees thrives, benefitting both people and wildlife for years to come.”

Russell Ball, Founder of Fund4Trees, welcomed the support, stating:

“Fund4Trees is dedicated to ensuring that trees planted in urban areas receive the essential aftercare they need to establish and flourish. Too often, trees are planted without the necessary follow-up care, leading to their premature decline.

“Thanks to the generous support from Gristwood & Toms and the Nurture Group, we can continue our mission to change the narrative from ‘tree planting’ to ‘tree establishment.’ Their contribution will not only support vital research but also make a tangible difference in Birmingham by enhancing the urban landscape and educating the next generation about the importance of tree care.”

Shaping the future of tree care and arboricultural excellence

Fund4Trees has been championing urban tree research and education since 2011, with initiatives including tree planting in schools, aftercare workshops, and high-profile charity bike rides. This cycle event is supported by The Arboricultural Association, of whom Gristwood & Toms are an ARB Approved Contractor, and plays a crucial role in promoting the long-term sustainability of urban tree populations.

By supporting this initiative, Gristwood & Toms and the Nurture Group continue their long-standing commitment to the arboricultural sector, reinforcing the essential role of urban trees in climate resilience, biodiversity, and community wellbeing.

For more information about Fund4Trees and how to support their work, visit https://fund4trees.org.uk