risk assessment for dealing with ash dieback trees?

[mattyboy]

Does anyone have a generic risk assessment relating to the specific risks that arise when arb contractors have to deal with ash dieback trees that they can send or post a link to?

 

Thankyou

[markieg31]

Same as other knackerd trees.

[markieg31]

Been doing a few recently. It is easier to sound out when they are in leaf as you can see the leaf loss to gauge to what extent the die back has taken hold. Bit harder in winter!

[Charlieh]

No specifics but escape routes must be clear, properly retreat to a safe distance, watch for limbs in trees around the felled ones sheding, no manual wedges, Jack's or ratchet wedges only. Mechanized where possible, use winches to pull over to remove cutters from risk areas if needed. They barber chair like no tomorrow. And get them down sooner rather than later as they aren't fun when the start to go backwards fast. We are trying to avoid swapping sides of the tree so powerful saws that you can chase the hinge with, using bar length that allow you to cut from one side. Above all don't rush them spend the time assessing the tree. The canopy will give you a clue even in winter. Look for any signs of decay in the trunk. Even if you peel some bark off if you suspect it's dodgy. 

[Tommy Hutchinson]

Just proceed with caution, Ash die back causes necrosis of the living cell thus it losses its turgidity/water content which means Ash are even more brittle i.e anchor points are weaker, hinge holding/crown oscillation dynamics change etc. 

Some stuff here: 

 

https://www.ukfisa.com/assets/files/alerts/Safety Guidance Note - Felling dead ash - April 2018.pdf

 

 

Arboricultural Association - Ash Dieback – Practice Guidance

WWW.TREES.ORG.UK

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A range of tree related help and advice for members of the public as well as tree surgeons.

 

Here's a course dedicated to Ash die back assessment, work planning and methodology: 

Ash dieback risk assessment, work planning and methodology

LOWE-MAINTENANCE.CO.UK

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Ash dieback risk assessment, work planning and methodology Ash dieback risk assessment, work planning and methodology This one-day session is aimed at those of you who are...

 

 

 

https://www.treecouncil.org.uk/Portals/0/Chalara docs/The Tree Council Ash Dieback Action Plan Toolkit FINAL.pdf 

Edited December 18, 2019 by Tommy Hutchinson

[Gray git]

Did the day with Lowe maintenance and was definitely worth while as helped get your head round all the different perspectives of the problem