Sensitive Removal of Historic Cedar Tree for Local Church

Objective 

Sensitively and carefully dismantle and remove a large and dangerous dead cedar tree in a prominent position in the middle of town, directly outside the local church.

Context 

The project was part of a wider piece of remedial tree maintenance work for a church local to our yard in Warwickshire. The cedar itself was over 100 years old and had a prominent position in the middle of the town, much loved by the residents. Unfortunately, likely due to drought, the tree had deteriorated over a number of the years to the point it was dangerous for churchgoers and local residents. It was located directly in front of the church overlooking the town’s main junction, with its limbs overhanging two footpaths and the church’s war memorial at the foot of its trunk. As such, its removal required delicate management, both from a technical and local relations perspective.

Delivery

• Conducted multiple site visits with the church’s management team to scope, price and plan work.
• Submitted application on behalf of our client for removal of a dangerous tree.
• Scheduled the work to fit with the church’s regular and one-off events.
• After initially considering use of a crane, we opted for a manual dismantle due to difficult access and to meet our client’s budget.
• Prior to starting work, our client notified local residents of the removal, providing a clear explanation for why such a beautiful and historic tree needed to be removed.
• Project was conducted over three days, the first two focused on dismantling the limbs, using rigging kit to lower the branches / limbs safely to the ground under full control of our team. All adjacent footpaths were closed off to the public and one of our team helped direct locals around the site to ensure their safety. 
• Utilised both a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP), to safely access difficult areas of the tree, as well as one of our lead climbers.
• Matting was laid to protect the lawn and contain large volumes of sawdust, protecting both the lawn and the war memorial.
• As each limb was removed, all brash was chipped and removed, with the limbs stacked adjacent to the tree ready for removal using our timber lorry.
• Once all limbs were removed, our team felled the stem in sections, again gently lowering each section to the ground using rigging kit. 
• Our intercom headsets (Stihl ProCom) ensured vital communication between our climber and the groundsman lowering the branches / limbs. 
• Once the stem was removed, we removed all chip and timber from site, clearing all sawdust and other arisings from site, ensuring everything was left as we found it.

Outcome

• Historic cedar tree taken down safely and efficiently with no damage to the site, leaving the stump in place in memory of a tree that had stood overlooking the town for over 100 years. 
• Positive feedback from members of the public and our client.
• 200 discs of wood cut up and provided to the church to distribute to locals in remembrance of the tree.
• Multiple stems provided to the church to make a piece of furniture to be used within the church itself.
• Next stage of the project is to help the church identify and plant an appropriate replacement.