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Fencing In Tough Terrain

Battling Mud and Rhododendrons: Fencing Installation in Tough Terrain

Working in the great outdoors often comes with its fair share of challenges, with rhododendron clearance and mud being two of them. This blog captures the experience and highlights some key considerations for tackling such tasks efficiently and effectively.

Rhododendron: A Persistent Problem

Rhododendron are known for their dense, sprawling growth and thick, waxy leaves all of which can make them particularly difficult to clear. While they can be beautiful ornamental plants in gardens, when it comes to woodland areas they can become invasive, outcompeting native species and reducing biodiversity. This can be a particular problem when it comes to woodland areas that need some form of land management.

 

For us, the rhododendron had spread across the site, forming dense undergrowth where new fencing was to be installed. Clearing it to allow small machinery access would be the first and most important task.

Clearing the Rhododendron

Using our 360 excavator with tree shears attachment, along with chainsaws, we set about cutting through the thick stems and branches. These were collected, removed from the site and chipped.

With rhododendron it’s important to target the roots as they are notorious for regrowth. In some case stump treatment is needed especially if clearance is part of a long-term habitat restoration. However in this case we just needed to clear a corridor wide enough to allow our tracked knocker access to the site for the fencing to commence. This meant a mulching head on our 360 excavator was enough to complete the job.

The Mud Factor

Clearing vegetation can be hard work at the best of times, and heavy rain for the first few months of the year had made the ground sodden, causing thick mud as soon as the site had been worked upon. This lead to increasingly difficult conditions with constant slipping, boots caked in thick layers of mud, and heavy tools becoming even heavier.

However, preparation was key to work in such conditions. Here are a few tips we followed:

  • Footwear: Investing in high-quality, waterproof boots with good tread make all the difference in maintaining balance and traction on the slippery ground.
  • Timing: We timed our efforts for when the ground wasn’t at it’s worst, waiting for drier spells when possible. This minimised the risk of machinery getting stuck or causing unnecessary damage to the soil structure.
  • Tool Maintenance: Mud quickly clogs up tools and machinery, so regular cleaning and sharpening was essential to keep everything functioning smoothly.

Installing the Fence

Once the rhododendron was cleared, it was time to set the fence posts. In the best conditions, driving fence posts is a straightforward process. In the mud, however, everything took longer. The wet ground meant the tractor-mounted post knocker had to work even harder to secure posts, and we had to ensure they were deep enough to remain stable once the ground eventually dried.

In Conclusion

Clearing rhododendron and installing fencing in muddy conditions is challenging but manageable with the right tools and preparation. Our customers were really happy with the completed job, despite the mud trying to slow us down. The conditions are all part of the job when managing land and working with nature – and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

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Greenfields Countryside Limited