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This September, Fund4Trees proudly hosted the Urban Tree Life Cycle (UTLC) Charity Bike Ride in Birmingham – a two-day event bringing together tree professionals, local communities, and schools to highlight the importance of tree aftercare.
Held on 10–11 September, the UTLC ride combined cycling challenges with practical tree care activities and educational workshops. The event underscored a vital message: planting trees is just the beginning – ensuring their survival requires long-term aftercare. Twenty two riders took part.
On Day One, riders embarked on a near-on 80-mile return trip from Birmingham to Worcester. Along the route, the group re-pollarded an ancient oak tree, extending its life and creating biodiversity benefits. Pupils from Cherry Orchard Primary School then planted a succession oak, using mulch from the pollard to give the young tree the best possible start.
On Day Two, the focus shifted to community engagement. Riders covered a 13-mile route around Birmingham, visiting The Hub, Castlevale, and Ambridge House. Here, schoolchildren and local groups took part in hands-on workshops, learning about mulching, watering, and tree aftercare. These interactive sessions helped to inspire the next generation to value and care for their local treescapes.
The event was supported by representatives from Gristwood and Toms, Nurture Group (that gave a £5K research grant), Beechwood Trees, Birmingham Tree People, The Tree Detective, Frosts Landscape Construction, Nurture Group, and Artemis Tree Services, and many more, demonstrating the strength of collaboration within the UK arboricultural and landscaping community.
Fund4Trees founder Russell Ball organised the event and led engaging talks with schoolchildren, reinforcing the charity’s mission to ensure that urban trees are not only planted, but successfully established.
Russell Ball commented: “The Urban Tree Life Cycle Ride is about more than cycling. It’s about communities coming together to understand why tree aftercare matters. We are grateful to all the organisations who joined us this year and to the children whose enthusiasm shows the future of our urban trees is in safe hands.”
Fund4Trees would like to thank all riders, supporters, and partner organisations for helping to make this year’s UTLC ride a success. Together, we can complete the Urban Tree Life Cycle.
Donations to support the charity’s work can be made via the Fund4Trees JustGiving Page.
Watch a Video of the Event HERE.
Fund4Trees 