A copy of this plan is held by our Bristol City Council Parks Team and Coordinator. Always check problems with our Coordinator or in an emergency or, if advised, post on Fix My Street.
Flagstone Paths: Cut back growth along kerbs and railings when it starts to creep onto the path.
Graves: Check over condition of graves as we work. Remove or reduce larger clumps of perennials and self-sown saplings that could damage the graves. Get roots out if this can be safely done without damage to the graves. NEVER pull off ivy, just cut a section of stem / roots near the base.
Lawns: These are the responsibility of the Council who mow from Spring to October. As Autumn progresses, clearing leaves to the leaf mould bin is a priority.
Lime Trees along Bird Cage Walk: Pruning the arched trees in late winter/early Spring is the responsibility of Bristol City Council. Check the health of the limes as we work. Try to ‘tuck’ up drooping branches.
Special ‘beds’ : Buddleia Bank; Dogwood Dell; Nettle bed; Rose bed and Semi Shade Bed; the Southern ‘Old Graveyard’ hedge and the Violet patch. Keep these and the valuable scruffy ‘islands’ around trees and large shrubs clear of bramble and self-seeded saplings.
Storage: leaf bin. Dig out last year’s leaf mould before new leaves are added in Autumn.
Trees and Shrubs: Remove ivy at the base and up the trunk of Yews. All other trees: cut ivy at the base of trunks to ensure it does not smother the tree. Lightly prune back overhanging branches if deemed a hazard. Warn Bristol City Council via Fix My Street if there are concerns, such as dead wood and damaged, dying trees. Check for newly emerging invasive self-seeded shrubs/trees such as Snowberry, Ash and Cherry Laurel. These need to be dug up when they are very small and the soil is workable. Check the mahonia, buddleia and apple trees along the West wall as they provide valuable food for birds and insects. See also Wildlife.
Walls : Snip back growth rooted into walls. Dig out all roots close to the walls to keep a ‘maintenance’ pathway. Check condition of walls as we work.
Wildlife: The mahonia and buddleia shrubs; apple trees; ivy and brambles provide berries for birds, blossom for insects. Avoid pruning until all nesting is over. Check the condition of the woodpiles and the Hibernaculum.
Seasonal Task List SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Spring: Take care we do not disturb nesting birds
Summer: Take care we do not disturb bird nests/ young birds.
Keep paths through the graveyard areas open and free of trip hazards such as ivy, bramble and clumps of perennials
In late Summer trim off the base sprouts of the limes, the ‘epicormic’ growth.
Tie in and train new blackberry growth. Clip long canes to stop them ‘tip rooting’ into the ground.
Autumn/Winter: Avoid disturbing areas where wildlife may shelter and overwinter such as wood piles; Hibernaculum and leaf bin.
Cut out all fruited blackberry canes
Make sure Bird Cage Walk is weeded and swept for Remembrance Sunday. Trim overhanging trees, shrubs and weed around the War Memorial.
Leave flowering ivy and seedheads such as teasels for birds and insects.
Spread rotted leaf mould over the Rose and Semi shade beds and newly planted shrubs when soil is damp.
Lesley Woodward Rev 2 22nd July 2026