Protesters who vowed to protect three trees near the M32 have thought of an imaginative way around self-isolating.
This week Boris Johnson ordered everyone to stay at home and only leave for essential foods and a walk once a day.
This posed a big problem for campaigners who pledged in January to remain at the site of three Norway Maples, on Lower Ashley Road in St Paul's, until a deal could be agreed with developers who have already chopped two down.
But after weeks of talks they have now decided to “social-distance” by living on platforms in the trees.
Protesters say they are wearing full protective clothing and other campaigners are going to visit them as their daily exerxise.
A spokesperson for the group said: "We should not have to be doing this, we are here for all the right reasons. We are defending community assets because the council is not doing its job.
"The vibrant multi cultural St Paul's community actively supports us, and tensions are running high.
"We want to move forward on the legal question, because we have absolute and definitive proof that the maples are sited on public land that the council is trying to give away.
"The landowner has no right to fell these trees. We have all of the legal documents to prove our case, but the council has refused to consider them, simply stating that the trees belong to the landowner.
"Until the council admits that the trees are public property, we will stay in trees, many meters apart, of course, complying with all COVID-19 recommendations."
Nick Connor, who is currently living in one of the tree houses, said: "I am scriptwriting for films. I wear gloves, a face mask and fully protective clothing.”
However, a Bristol City Council spokesperson has refuted the claim the trees are on public ground.
Campaigners have fitted “squatters notices” to the structures and say they have Land Registry documents showing the trees stand on a strip classed as “public highway” - making it very hard for the courts to evict them.
Dr Rowland Dye says “I grew up and live in this area – like any inner-city area it’s at the bottom of every league-table for pollution, health, income, amenity-space etc etc.
"So it’s shocking our city council isn’t on the side of ordinary people round here."
A council spokesperson said evidence has been shared with residents and their legal representatives which shows that the trees fall on private land.
They said: "We have offered them further opportunities to meet with council officers regarding this matter.
“While there is a clear limit on the council’s role in the discussion, the mayor has also previously met with the developer and residents to try and broker an agreeable solution, but ultimately, any final decisions will be made by the landowner.
“We understand an amended application, using this site entirely for social housing, is being considered for submission to planners, although it is unclear how this may be affected by this latest action’’.
