Ash Dieback Case Study

The Challenge:

Along a 220m stretch of green space that borders old woodlands, PB Forestry was given the responsibility of overseeing the removal of affected trees, mostly ash trees showing advanced stages of fungal disease. A BT telecom cable was suspended down the whole façade of the site, which was next to a public walkway and the busy A448. There were serious safety hazards since the rotting trees overhung the carriageway. The client wanted to stay under strict health and safety and tree management rules without completely closing the road, which made everything more complicated.

How PB Forestry Provided Solution

A team of specialists from PB Forestry, who have a proven track record in vegetation management and grounds maintenance services, was sent out with the Sennebogen 718 E- series and Kesla 645T2 tree chipper. These types of equipment made it easy to safely and automatically remove affected trees without the need for manual chainsawing, which is essential for reducing risk near telecom equipment and traffic. In order to curb the disease’s spread, the project followed a customised set of RAMS (risk assessment and method statements), backed by an online compliance management system and in accordance with Forestry Commission recommendations.

Result

PB Forestry finished the project in five days, removing all diseased trees with minimal or no disturbance to road traffic and public access. PB Forestry’s team worked completely within traffic and environmental restrictions, and the equipment eliminated the need for dangerous manual labor. The client praised the professionalism, efficiency, and safety-first approach, and the job was completed on time and the site was left in outstanding shape.

This case study shows PB Forestry’s capacity to offer specialised and mechanical tree surgery services that strike a balance between operational reliability, public safety, and environmental responsibility.