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Tree Felling

Tree sectional felling is where a tree is dismantled piece by piece, right down to the stump. Only when a tree cannot be saved, skilled tree surgeons use rigging techniques to remove the tree in a controlled manner to avoid any damage to surrounding trees, buildings or infrastructure.

tree felling
Our approach to sectional tree felling

Tree Felling – sectional tree felling

Sectional tree felling is a excellent method of removing a tree in sections, rather than cutting it down all at once. This method of tree sectional felling is often used when a tree is too large or too close to a structure to safely fell in one piece. It is also used when a tree needs to be removed in stages to minimize the impact on the surrounding area.

The process of sectional tree felling begins with a thorough assessment of the tree by a qualified tree surgeon. The tree surgeon will evaluate the tree’s health, size, location, and potential hazards, such as nearby power lines or buildings. They will also consider the direction of the fall and the location of any surrounding trees or structures that could be damaged during the tree sectional felling process.

Once the assessment is complete, the tree surgeon will develop a plan for removing the tree in sections. This may involve using a combination of techniques, such as rope access, rigging, and crane work. The tree surgeon will also set up a safety perimeter around the work area to protect themselves and others from falling branches or other hazards. Not all the time but some times this technique is used in the scenario of emergency tree work, the tree has failed in some way and requires some serious problem solving skills to safely complete the job. See here for more information on that subject https://rootsandshootsmanchester.com/emergency-tree-removal/

The first step in sectional tree felling is to climb up to the top of the tree. Here we install two climbing ropes and an impact pulley. The impact pulley is attached to a sling which is tied off onto a separate branch show when it takes a load the shock load is not transferred to the climber directly and if there is a catastrophic failure the climbers attachment point is normally unaffected. 

From this point the climber descends and starts removing the lower branches often using rigging techniques. The rope is tied on using a half hitch and a running bowline the system is tensioned so there is no slack in the system and secured using a lowering block at the base of the tree. The cuts are made and the branch is slowly in a controlled manner lowered. The two cuts commonly used are two step cuts or a wedge cut followed by a back cut. 

The tree is dismantled like a 3D puzzle from the bottom to the top at this stage it looks like a silly lollipop. To take the top out we negative rig it. So a wedge cut is applied knots put in place and then a back cut the top falls and shock loads the pulley and the tree. A good rigging groundie slows the fall gradually to minimise the shock load effect, this is essential so the safety of the climber and the tree is not compromised. From here the tree is negatively rigged several times till it is a height it can be felled or chogged down in small slices. 

As each section is removed, the tree surgeon will carefully control the direction of the fall to ensure it falls in a safe and controlled manner. They will also use ropes, rigging, and cranes to guide the sections to the ground, where they will be cut into smaller pieces for removal.

When the tree has been completely removed, the tree surgeon will clean up the work area and remove any debris. They will also assess the health of the remaining stumps and may remove them if necessary.

In conclusion, sectional tree felling is a safe and effective method of removing a tree in sections, minimizing the risk of damage to surrounding structures and trees. It requires a qualified and experienced tree surgeon, who will assess the tree and develop a plan to safely remove it in sections. This method is often used when a tree is too large or too close to a structure to safely fell in one piece.

For more information on this subject I suggest checking out either the Health and safety executive here https://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/resources/climbing-operations.htm

or the Arboricultural Association here https://www.trees.org.uk/Trees.org.uk/media/Trees-org.uk/Documents/ArbAC/ArbAC-Standards-5-or-more-Interactive-070621.pdf

 

 

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WHEN PRUNED CORRECTLY BY AN EXPERIENCED TREE SURGEON, CROWN LIFTING CAN OPEN UP THE AREA AROUND THE TREE AND PROMOTE GOOD LIGHT TRANSMISSION.