Woodland Maintenance Cambridgeshire
As part of an ongoing woodland maintenance contract we were tasked with removing a dead multi-stemmed sycamore tree that posed a significant risk to users of a nearby woodland footpath. The trees precarious position and the surrounding environmental features required meticulous planning and execution to ensure safety and minimise ecological impact.
Assessing the Situation
The sycamore tree was not only dead but also situated dangerously close to a footpath, fencing and a stream. These factors increased the urgency for removal and added to the complexity of the felling process. A falling branch or tree could cause damage to the fencing, dam the stream, or, worse, injure a passerby.
Assessing the tree before work begins
Removal of smaller branches
Beginning to create habitat piles
Fencing and stream alongside the sycamore tree
Planning the Controlled Felling
Given the trees location, our team devised a controlled felling strategy that involved:
- Risk Assessment: Identifying potential hazards to people, property and surroundings.
- Specialised Equipment: Using our MEWP to provide a safe platform from which to work.
- Environmental Precautions: Ensuring that no debris was left behind to block the stream
Execution
The team proceeded to carefully dismantle the tree in sections. Each cut was calculated to enable the team to precisely drop logs to the woodland floor, and ground crew members were positioned to manage and secure fallen sections promptly.
Instead of removing the valuable deadwood from site, the client requested that we stack it into habitat piles within the woodland. These piles serve multiple ecological benefits:
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- Wildlife Shelter: Providing habitat for insects, small mammals and birds
- Soil Enrichment: As the wood decomposes, it enriches the soil with nutrients
- Biodiversity Support: Encouraging a diverse range of species to thrive in the area.
Conclusion
The project was completed successfully and to the clients satisfaction. The footpath was left safe for public use and by leaving the wood on-site, we contributed to the local ecosystems health and demonstrated our commitment to environmental stewardship. We take pride in our ability to handle such jobs with a commitment to both health and safety and the environment.
