Sooty Bark Disease

[arbgirl92]

We have a park with around 60 Sycamore in- (makes up probably 60% of tree species in the park), almost all are showing signs of Sooty Bark Disease, all to varying severity. We're going to start removals (and replanting with a new species mix) this year, and plan to have them all removed over the next few years.

 

Will provide our team with appropriate PPE (masks) for the job, no problem there. Will aim to get the work carried out on a damp day too. Anything else I should be doing?

 

Arisings - best not to chip I know, but if the ground crew stay masked up, do you guys think that it would be OK to chip? (not worried about infecting nearby sycamore as they've all had it.. just thinking of the health implications for my team, and the public). 

[Stubby]

9 hours ago, arbgirl92 said:

We have a park with around 60 Sycamore in- (makes up probably 60% of tree species in the park), almost all are showing signs of Sooty Bark Disease, all to varying severity. We're going to start removals (and replanting with a new species mix) this year, and plan to have them all removed over the next few years.

 

Will provide our team with appropriate PPE (masks) for the job, no problem there. Will aim to get the work carried out on a damp day too. Anything else I should be doing?

 

Arisings - best not to chip I know, but if the ground crew stay masked up, do you guys think that it would be OK to chip? (not worried about infecting nearby sycamore as they've all had it.. just thinking of the health implications for my team, and the public). 

Good on you for considering your guys  in this station .

[Steve Bullman]

9 hours ago, arbgirl92 said:

We have a park with around 60 Sycamore in- (makes up probably 60% of tree species in the park), almost all are showing signs of Sooty Bark Disease, all to varying severity. We're going to start removals (and replanting with a new species mix) this year, and plan to have them all removed over the next few years.

 

Will provide our team with appropriate PPE (masks) for the job, no problem there. Will aim to get the work carried out on a damp day too. Anything else I should be doing?

 

Arisings - best not to chip I know, but if the ground crew stay masked up, do you guys think that it would be OK to chip? (not worried about infecting nearby sycamore as they've all had it.. just thinking of the health implications for my team, and the public). 

Stuffs a pig to chip. Have you considered one of these? 

Hook-lift Air Curtain Incinerator | Mobile Incineration | Burnwell Incinerators

BURNWELLINCINERATORS.CO.UK

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Large air curtain incinerator for wood waste, vegetation, animal material, invasive weeds, contaminated materials...

 

[arbgirl92]

Looks like a good shout, not sure my company would allow us to use it in a public park though... but worth an ask! 

[monkeybusiness]

Stack it all up and get the lot whole-tree chipped for biomass. Fell the trees whole where possible and move them mechanically to the chipping point. Will require some thought with regards public access/exclusion zones whilst works take place but so will dealing with 60 trees in a more conventional manner. The bulk of works can then be undertaken from air conditioned cabs, reducing any potential health risks.