Poynton Centre is a significant heritage property, forming a community resource, with spaces being used for a variety of groups, both social and educational. The site is surrounded with mature tree stock and is located in a heavily built-up area, with residential properties to 3 sides, plus the main village high street. We were requested to arrange a site tree survey and risk assessment, which we organised through a tree consultant. The survey reported significant decay in the base of a large and very prominent horse chestnut tree at the front of the property and recommended its removal on safety grounds. The location of the tree was further compromised by the structure housing the building’s gas supply and meter directly beneath the main stem. The tree was subject to a Tree Preservation Order, which was rescinded on receipt of the consultant’s report and our application for the removal for safety.
Our proposed method for the safe removal of the tree was to use a mobile crane based in the car park of the centre, with climber and MEWP operator to rig, dismantle and lift the tree in sections into the car park. This would mean the majority of our work would be carried out within a safe cordon and disruption to the main road would be kept to a minimum. The use of the crane and MEWP also fulfilled our obligation to follow HSE guidance to minimise working at height. Our method used one operative in the MEWP to attach slings to the selected section, whilst one climber attached with 2 points to the main stem, made the cuts to release each section of canopy. Traffic Management was required to close the adjacent pavement and by using short duration stop/go boards as each section was cut and lifted, we were able to keep the highway unobstructed for the majority of the day. The subcontracted TM team worked in conjunction with our appointed competent Person (Stephen) who linked between the climbing & slinging team and the ground team. The large tree was safely dismantled to ground level in 4 hours. Our method also used digger & grab to feed the 12” chipper and our 18t HIAB truck to remove timber from site. These efficient techniques kept manual handling by the ground team to an absolute minimum.
Due to the prominent nature of the tree, we took the decision to notify the community of the work in advance, in order to explain the reasons for the tree removal and to pre-empt any public response on the day. This also gave advance warning of the traffic management and the potential for possible disruption to travel. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with the community expressing gratitude for our communication and for the professionalism of the work.
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
“We recently enlisted SWIFT TREE SERVICES for advice and possible help with numerous trees around our fairly big property. These trees overhang several neighbours’ gardens and we are obviously worried about the risk of falling branches after a couple of recent incidents. Consequently we were visited by Adam who was very knowledgeable of our property from previous visits over the years. He explained everything to us in very easy to understand details, as well as the technical side of the work involved. As a result we enlisted their help in arranging an independent survey with outlined a couple of issues that needed immediate attention from a H & S point of view. We have accepted these recommendations and are now wanting to proceed with the more important work. Adam was quick to follow-up with visits, quotations and suggestions and we couldn’t be more pleased with the help they have given us, not to mention peace of mind.”
Kevin Bell – Manager, Poynton Centre
