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Why Use Machinery? How Mechanisation Makes Tree Work Safer and More Efficient

Tree work has traditionally relied heavily on skilled manual work – and there are still plenty of situations where traditional arboricultural methods are the right approach. However, specialist machinery can completely change the way we carry out certain projects.

Our continued investment in machinery allows us to undertake work that would otherwise be slower, more labour-intensive or more difficult using conventional methods alone. From grapple-saw dismantling and whole-tree chipping to harvesting, forwarding, mulching and timber haulage, the right combination of machinery and experienced operators can make a significant difference to how efficiently and safely a job progresses.

But for us, it isn’t simply about owning the machines. What matters is the capability they give our team – and knowing when, where and how to use them effectively.

Why mechanise tree work?

Every site and every tree presents a different set of challenges. Before starting work, we consider the safest and most efficient way to complete the job, taking into account factors such as access, tree condition, terrain, surrounding infrastructure, the volume of material and what needs to happen to that material afterwards.

Where appropriate, machinery can help us to:

  • Reduce manual handling and physical demands on our arborists
  • Keep people further away from dangerous or unstable trees
  • Process large quantities of timber and brash efficiently
  • Complete larger-scale projects within practical timescales
  • Reduce the number of separate contractors required on site
  • Manage more stages of a project ourselves
  • Maintain greater control over how work progresses from start to finish

The result isn’t simply “bigger machines”. It’s a different way of approaching the work.

Keeping our arborists safer

Safety is one of the most important reasons for using machinery.

Tree surgery will always involve an element of risk, but mechanisation can reduce the amount of time our arborists need to spend climbing, handling heavy timber manually or working in close proximity to hazardous trees.

Our Hinowa MEWP, for example, provides a working height of up to 20 metres and can give our arborists an alternative to climbing. This can be particularly valuable when working on dead, dying or structurally compromised trees, including trees affected by ash dieback.

Dead timber can be brittle, unpredictable and structurally unstable. Using a MEWP allows an arborist to work from a platform rather than relying on the tree itself for support. It can also be an efficient option where branches are difficult to reach or where a tree offers limited suitable anchor points for climbing.

On other sites, machinery can take the arborist out of the tree altogether.

Our Hyundai 360 excavator fitted with a Vosch 4000 grapple saw allows sections of a tree to be held, cut and moved mechanically. We have used this combination when removing dangerous roadside trees growing on a slope – a situation where terrain, tree condition and proximity to the road all needed to be carefully managed.

Rather than looking at mechanisation purely in terms of speed, its ability to reduce exposure to risk is just as important.

Making large and complex projects more efficient

Once a tree is on the ground, there can still be a considerable amount of work involved in processing and removing the resulting material.

This is where having machinery for different stages of a project becomes particularly useful.

During the roadside tree removal work mentioned above, our Jenz crane-fed chipper was used to process the resulting material. The chip was fed directly into a walking-floor trailer ready to be transported away from site.

Being able to combine machinery in this way creates an efficient workflow: trees can be dismantled mechanically, material processed and the resulting timber or woodchip moved onwards without unnecessary additional handling.

For forestry work, our John Deere harvester and forwarder allow us to mechanically fell, process and extract timber. Our Valtra tractor with timber crane and trailer gives us further capability for moving timber and other material from a wide variety of sites.

Where large areas need to be cleared, mulching equipment can process vegetation efficiently across the site, making it particularly useful for larger-scale clearance projects.

We also operate our own HGV for a range of haulage, enabling us to transport timber arising from domestic, commercial and forestry work.

Together, these capabilities mean we can consider the whole process – not just how a tree will be felled, but how the material will be processed, extracted and transported afterwards.

Machinery isn’t only for large-scale jobs

Heavy machinery might immediately bring forestry or major commercial projects to mind. However, mechanisation can be useful across a much wider range of work.

Depending on the site, we may use machinery on domestic tree work, commercial projects, forestry operations, site clearances, roadside work and sites with challenging terrain or access.

Equally, using machinery doesn’t automatically make it the right choice.

Sometimes climbing and traditional arboricultural techniques remain the safest and most practical solution. On another site, bringing in a MEWP, excavator or specialist forestry equipment could significantly reduce manual handling and make the work much more efficient.

The important part is choosing the method to suit the job.

More than the machines themselves

Our machinery is only one part of our capability.

Getting the most from specialist equipment relies on the knowledge and experience of the people planning the work and operating it. A machine is useful when it solves a problem – whether that’s keeping an arborist away from an unstable tree, processing a high volume of material, working safely on difficult terrain or reducing unnecessary handling.

By combining experienced arborists, skilled machine operators and specialist equipment, we can look at a project as a whole and decide on an approach that makes the best use of the resources available.

That might involve traditional climbing techniques, mechanised tree removal, harvesting and forwarding, crane-fed chipping, mulching, timber haulage – or a combination of several methods.

Ultimately, that’s why we invest in machinery: not simply to have more equipment, but to give our team more options.

More options allow us to plan work around the individual site, reduce unnecessary risk and manual handling, and complete everything from smaller tree surgery jobs to complex commercial and forestry projects safely and efficiently.

Get in touch

If you’re interested in finding out more about what we can do to assist with your next project, you can get in touch via our website. Our team would be happy to discuss your needs and arrange for a free site visit and quotation.

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Beyond Tree Surgery: Our Capability for Larger-Scale Projects

When people think of arboriculture, traditional tree surgery is often the first thing that comes to mind. But for larger commercial sites, forestry operations and complex clearance projects, the requirements can extend far beyond individual tree work.

At Simpson Arboriculture, our capabilities have developed considerably since we were established in 2006. Today, we bring together arboriculture, mechanised tree work, forestry harvesting, vegetation management and large-scale site clearance within one established operation.

Supported by our own specialist machinery, in-house haulage and experienced team, this allows us to undertake projects ranging from individual trees through to substantial, technically demanding commercial works.

Bringing multiple capabilities together

Larger projects can involve several different stages of work. A site clearance project, for example, may require arboricultural work, mechanised felling and processing, vegetation clearance, timber extraction, haulage and the management of resulting materials.

Rather than these elements automatically requiring several different contractors, we can deliver a wide range of services using our own team, machinery and resources.

For our clients, this can make the overall project much simpler to manage. With fewer separate contractors to coordinate, there is clearer responsibility for the work, more straightforward communication and better continuity from one stage of the project to the next.

It also gives us greater control over scheduling, machinery and logistics, helping us to keep work moving efficiently as a project progresses.

More than having the right machinery

Specialist machinery has transformed what can be achieved safely and efficiently within modern arboriculture, forestry and site clearance. However, capability is about much more than simply owning the equipment.

Our investment in machinery has developed alongside the knowledge and experience of our team. Since Simpson Arboriculture was established in 2006, we have steadily expanded the scale and range of work we undertake, building practical experience across arboriculture, forestry and mechanised operations.

This combination of equipment and expertise enables us to select an appropriate approach for each site rather than simply applying the same method to every project.

Our fleet allows us to mechanise work where appropriate, process and handle significant volumes of material, work efficiently across larger areas and manage the movement of timber and other materials as part of the wider operation.

With our own plant and in-house haulage available, we are also less reliant on bringing in external resources for different stages of a project.

From individual trees to large-scale projects

Being able to undertake larger projects does not mean leaving conventional arboriculture behind. Instead, our broader capability has developed from the arboricultural knowledge and experience at the heart of the business.

As an ARB Approved Contractor, we have the people, accreditation, equipment and experience required to deliver professional arboricultural work, while our wider forestry and mechanised capabilities allow us to take that expertise onto considerably larger and more complex sites.

Depending on the requirements of a project, our work can include:

  • Commercial arboriculture and tree surgery
  • Mechanised tree felling and processing
  • Forestry harvesting
  • Vegetation management
  • Large-scale site clearance
  • Timber extraction and handling
  • In-house haulage and transport

Bringing these services together means we can look at a project as a whole, considering how each stage fits into the next and planning the work accordingly.

A well-organised operation from start to finish

For commercial clients, capability is not only about what happens on site. Reliable planning, organisation and communication are just as important, particularly when work involves multiple stages, specialist machinery or other contractors working around the project.

We aim to provide clear communication throughout, from the initial discussions and planning through to completion. Our team works closely with clients to understand the requirements and constraints of each site, organise the necessary resources and keep them informed as the work progresses.

Ultimately, our aim is straightforward: to provide clients with one capable and dependable contractor who can take responsibility for a much wider scope of work.

Over the years, Simpson Arboriculture has grown beyond the capabilities of a conventional tree surgery contractor. By bringing together experienced people, professional accreditation, specialist machinery, haulage and a broad range of services, we are equipped to deliver everything from individual tree works to substantial commercial, forestry and site clearance projects — all within one established operation.

If you have a project coming up and would like to find out more about what we can offer, you can get in touch via our website. Our team would be happy to discuss your requirements and arrange to meet with you to carry out a site visit and quotation.

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Vegetation Clearance for Construction and Development Projects

Preparing your site for the next stage

Before construction can begin, the site needs to be cleared safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption. Whether you’re building a new housing development, commercial premises, road infrastructure or agricultural buildings, professional vegetation clearance is an essential first step.

At Simpson Arboriculture, we provide comprehensive site clearance services for developers, contractors, landowners and local authorities. Using specialist machinery and experienced operators, we can quickly clear trees, vegetation and scrub while preparing the ground for the next phase of your project.

Efficient site clearance using modern machinery

Every project has different requirements, which is why we utilise a range of specialist equipment to complete site clearance work as safely and efficiently as possible.

Our fleet includes:

  • Excavators fitted with grapple saws for controlled tree removal.
  • Whole tree chippers capable of processing large volumes of timber quickly.
  • Forestry mulchers for clearing dense vegetation and undergrowth.
  • PTO powered Stump grinder for grinding tree stumps below ground level.
  • Additional specialist attachments to suit varying site conditions.

Mechanical site clearance allows us to work more efficiently than traditional manual methods on suitable sites. This helps to reduce project timescales while keeping costs competitive.

Why mechanical site clearance makes sense

For larger developments and commercial projects, mechanical clearance offers several advantages.

Faster project delivery

Our team can clear large areas in a fraction of the time compared with manual felling, helping construction programmes stay on schedule.

Cost-effective solutions

Greater productivity means less time on site, which can help reduce overall clearance costs without compromising safety or quality.

Safe and controlled operations

Our experienced operators use specialist equipment to remove trees and vegetation in a controlled manner, even on challenging sites where access or working space may be limited.

Ground preparation

Site clearance isn’t just about removing trees. We can also clear scrub, dense vegetation and unwanted growth, leaving the site ready for ground investigations, earthworks or construction.

Sustainable management of arisings

We aim to make the best use of materials generated during site clearance wherever possible.

Timber can be processed for firewood or other suitable uses, while branches and brash are chipped or mulched on site where appropriate. This helps reduce waste and can minimise the number of vehicle movements required to remove material from site.

Loading lorry with wood chip - site clearance

Working across a range of projects

Our site clearance services are suitable for a wide variety of developments, including:

  • Residential housing developments
  • Commercial and industrial sites
  • Infrastructure and highways projects
  • Agricultural developments
  • Utility and energy projects
  • Forestry and land management schemes

Whether you’re clearing a small parcel of land or several hectares, we can provide a solution tailored to your project’s requirements.

Planning and safety

Site clearance often involves more than simply removing trees. Depending on the location, ecological surveys, Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), conservation areas or planning conditions may need to be considered before work begins.

Our experienced team works closely with clients to ensure projects are completed safely and in accordance with current legislation and best practice.

Need site clearance for your next project?

If you’re planning a development and require reliable, efficient site clearance, we’d be happy to discuss your requirements.

Our experienced team can advise on the most suitable approach for your site and provide a competitive quotation based on your project’s size, location and programme.

Get in touch with Simpson Arboriculture today to find out how our mechanical site clearance services can help keep your project moving.

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What Happens to Waste After Tree Work?

One of the most common questions we get asked after carrying out tree work is: “What happens to all the branches, logs and woodchip?”

The simple answer is that nothing goes to waste.

At Simpson Arboriculture, we operate a 100% recycling policy for all timber and green waste generated through our tree surgery, forestry and arboricultural work. Every load of wood and woodchip is processed and put to good use, ensuring that valuable natural resources are never unnecessarily sent to landfill.

Woodchip: a valuable resource

When we carry out tree work, smaller branches and brash are processed through our woodchippers, producing woodchip.

Rather than disposing of this material, we recycle it in several ways.

A significant proportion of our woodchip is dried and used as biomass fuel in our own boilers. These boilers provide renewable heat for our firewood drying operations.

We also supply woodchip to other biomass users who utilise it as a sustainable fuel source.

In addition, woodchip is popular with customers for:

  • Garden mulch and landscaping projects
  • Weed suppression around planting areas
  • Chicken runs and poultry enclosures
  • Equestrian areas and horse paddocks
  • Pathways and outdoor surfaces

This means that even the smallest branches from a tree can continue to provide value long after the work has been completed.

From waste wood to firewood

Larger sections of timber are carefully processed into firewood logs.

Rather than being discarded, suitable timber is processed and dried to create high-quality firewood for our log customers. This allows us to make full use of the material generated through tree work while providing a sustainable heating fuel.

Fuel for our kiln-drying process

Not all timber is suitable for producing firewood logs, but that doesn’t mean it goes to waste.

Lower-grade timber and offcuts are used as fuel within our biomass heating system. The heat generated powers our log drying kiln, which dries our firewood to the high standards our customers expect.

This creates a highly efficient circular process, where material generated through tree work helps to fuel the production of ready-to-burn firewood.

A truly circular approach

Our recycling process ensures that every part of the tree is utilised:

  • Woodchip is used for biomass fuel, landscaping, poultry and equestrian applications.
  • Quality timber is processed into firewood logs.
  • Lower-grade timber and offcuts are used as fuel for our biomass boilers.
  • The heat generated helps dry our firewood in our kiln.

As a result, we achieve 100% recycling of the timber and green waste produced through our operations.

Jenz Hem woodchipper

Sustainable tree care

Responsible tree management doesn’t end when the work is complete.

By investing in biomass heating, firewood production and sustainable recycling methods, we’re able to ensure that every tree we process continues to provide value. Whether it’s heating homes, producing renewable energy, improving gardens or supporting local businesses, the material from tree work can provide another use.

When you choose Simpson Arboriculture, you can be confident that your tree waste won’t be wasted at all. Instead, it becomes part of a sustainable recycling process that makes the most of every branch, log and woodchip produced.

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Your Local Tree Surgeons

Welcome to Simpson Arboriculture, your trusted local tree surgeons based in Ancaster, Lincolnshire. We take great pride in offering high standard tree work both in our local community and further afield. We have a deep-rooted passion for trees and a commitment to preserving the natural beauty of our community. In this blog, we invite you to learn more about Simpson Arboriculture, the range of services we provide and reasons why you should choose us for your next garden project.

Your Local Tree Surgeons: Who We Are

Started by William Simpson back in 2006, Simpson Arboriculture is a trustworthy, professional and well-established tree surgery company. Based on the family farm, Will and his wife Kate work full-time to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the business. Kate runs the office while Will works daily on-site and manages multiple teams carrying out various tree work and site clearance across Lincolnshire and further afield. We 17 years’ experience, we have built up a loyal customer base and a great reputation as professional local tree surgeons.

Your Local Tree Surgeons: Our services

  1. Tree surgery. As trusted local tree surgeons, we have a great reputation for carrying out quality tree work. We specialise in carrying out tree work to ‘British Standards BS3998: 2010 Tree Work Recommendations’. This means that the finished result not only looks great, but supports the overall health of the tree.   
  • Tree removal. While trees are a fantastic asset, sometimes they do require removal. Our professional and trustworthy arborists will be able to discuss and explain the options for tree removal.
  • Hedge care and tree planting. Simpson Arboriculture offer hedge trimming and hedge reduction. We are also proud to offer both tree and hedge planting services. With extensive tree and hedge knowledge, our team are always happy to advise you.
  • Fencing. From sourcing to installation, our team at Simpson Arboriculture can manage the whole fencing project from start to finish on a wide variety of fences. We carry out the work in a professional and timely manner.
  • Site clearance. Our specialised machinery make light work of removing trees and vegetation from a site. We get the job done in the safest, most efficient and cost-effective way possible.
  • Firewood. Our ‘Ready to Burn’ kiln-dried, hardwood logs are available throughout the year and delivered directly to your door. Logs are sustainably sourced using BSL authorised virgin wood.

Why Choose Us?

Our team at Simpson Arboriculture consists of experienced and qualified arborists who are passionate about trees and have many years of experience.

We have been officially recognised as being qualified to perform tree work by multiple health and safety bodies. This recognises that we work safely and efficiently and carry out tree work to the highest standard. We are proud to be recognised as an Arb Approved Contractor. This is the most prestigious accreditation scheme in the arboricultural industry. It’s a great way for customers to recognise a professional and qualified tree surgery company. Customer satisfaction is always a top priority for us. We carry out work to the highest standard, giving you peace of mind from start to finish.

With a friendly and professional team, many of our customers come back year on year and recommend us to their neighbours, friends and family.

Contact Us

If you’re in interested in finding out more about how we can help with your next garden project, you can call our office or submit an enquiry via our website. We would be happy to discuss your future requirements and arrange a free quotation.

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What is Site Clearance for construction?

Loading lorry with wood chip - site clearance

Site clearance is an essential process that takes place before construction work can begin on a new development. It involves the removal of all unwanted trees and vegetation from a piece of land. This prepares it for any development work to go ahead.

Site clearance involves clearing and levelling an area of land for construction work to begin. This process is necessary to ensure that the construction site is safe and free from hazards. Additionally, it helps to ensure that the construction project can proceed efficiently, without any delays or complications.

What does site clearance involve?

Site clearance typically involves the removal of trees, bushes, and other vegetation, as well as any buildings, structures, or debris that may be present on the site. The process is carried out using a range of equipment, including excavators, grapple saws, whole tree chippers and forestry mulchers.

The process can vary depending on the site and the requirements of the construction project. In some cases, only minimal clearance is required, such as the removal of a few trees and bushes. In other cases, the site is completely cleared of all trees and vegetation.

What needs to be considered before I begin?

It is important to note that site clearance must be carried out in compliance with all relevant regulations and laws. Simpson Arboriculture is well-versed in national and local regulations and will help you obtain and understand all necessary permits and approvals, as well as adhere to environmental regulations to protect the local ecosystem.

In conclusion, site clearance is a critical step in the construction process. It ensures that a site is safe and ready for construction work to begin, while also protecting the local environment. When planning a construction project, be sure to work with a professional site clearance company to ensure that the job is done safely and efficiently. Simpson Arboriculture is an Arb Approved contractor so when working with us, you have the reassurance of accreditation from the most prestigious association in the industry.

Grapple saw removing and chipping whole trees at a site clearance
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