On the day, our team were mostly able to dismantle the trees using the controlled method of the grapple saw fitted to our 360 excavator. The use of machinery in tree work offers huge benefits- it makes the work safer, more time efficient and cost effective. Our excavators are fitted with ROPS (Roll-over protective structure) and FOPS (Falling object protective structure). These are critical safety systems in heavy machinery. They are designed to protect the machine operator from injuries in the case of rollovers or overhead hazards. 

However, several trees were too tall to be reached and dismantled using the machinery. The tallest tree was a beech tree standing at around 28 metres! This tree stood so tall because it was at the bottom of a north facing slope and had to grow to compete for light with the trees on a higher elevation. The crown break stood at around 15 metres with the most dense foliage all on the top and northern side, since the southern side was always in shade. As such, it was growing over the road and over a streetlight. It was impossible to fell at its current size and with its weighting towards the road- it simply wouldn’t fit into the space around it. 

Ben climbed the trees and lowered the limbs down that were over the streetlight, while the traffic was stopped. He was then able to fell larger sections at the stem before felling the remaining large limbs. These were then cut down in longer sections until it was at a height deemed reasonable and safe to fell into the space available. 

The others consisted of 2 x ash trees and a sycamore. All three were growing in close proximity to a sheep fence. Damaging this would risk the sheep escaping and getting onto the main road. Therefore, they were dismantled as the safest course of action.