Kretzschmaria beech removal - how to organise???

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hi all. I'm looking for some advice/ comments on the best way of dealing with this tree removal. I've attached photos of the tree that I hope will be useful.

 

I recently spotted a medium-sized copper beech infected by Kretzschmaria deusta very close to and overhanging one of the busiest road junctions in a local town. The junction where the main stem splits into two also looks a poor shape to me with a line of possibly included bark.

 

I have brought the tree to the attention of the council tree officers and they are of the opinion that the tree should be felled as soon as possible. They've said when Kretzschmaria infects the stem rather than the roots and where it is present on opposite sides of the trunk the tree is usually in a bad way.

 

So, I'm keen to quote for the work, but I'm having some issues with the job method and thus pricing. Because it is such a busy 5-way junction managed by fixed traffic lights the tree officer has suggested we do it on a Sunday which is fine. But he also suggested we should be very careful shock loading the tree (i.e. with normal rigging operations) and said that a crane would be a good idea.

 

If you were undertaking this work would you assume that the tree could fail at any point during the removal operation? I.e. would one need to consider that the tree could fail whilst the crane was attached to it - possibly pulling the whole crane over into the junction? Are there tests one could do (e.g. taking core samples) that would inform such a decision better?

 

I have contacted a traffic light company and they have told me that the local Highways Agency would not countenance completely closing that junction - even for short periods - and suggested coning off the road lane nearest the tree. That would be fine if the tree was not considered at risk of failure (i.e. normal dismantling) as the branches only overhang one lane. But if the tree did fail at the base it would reach right across both lanes of the road nearest and possibly right into the middle of the junction if it went in the wrong direction. The tree is weighted towards the road.

 

What do you think?

 

Road closure + crane = job done in a day and everyone safe.

 

Paul

[woody paul]

Road closure + crane = job done in a day and everyone safe.

 

Paul

 

As above. And as tree officer has advised not to climb and use crane then go with it. May be worth having a word with local highways and see what they can do with crossroad.

[Marc]

As above. And as tree officer has advised not to climb and use crane then go with it. May be worth having a word with local highways and see what they can do with crossroad.

 

But you will need to climb to use a crane?

[woody paul]

Not if the crane is used with a cage to remove crown and when remove trunk.

[Rupe]

Theres loads of space behind the tree to rig into, its just a turning area at the end of a no through road. Easy days work for most, no crane, no traffic lights, no worries. Close the pavement and rig between red lights if necessary, i.e when the lights are red the traffic is back from the tree anyway, and no matter how "busy" the junction is (yes it is a busy most days) its still only one lane of traffic.

 

No ones going to pay you for road closure and cranes etc. on a little job like that, but no you dont want to shock load it but why would you? If its out of your league then leave it.

[jeanesy]

Theres loads of space behind the tree to rig into, its just a turning area at the end of a no through road. Easy days work for most, no crane, no traffic lights, no worries. Close the pavement and rig between red lights if necessary, i.e when the lights are red the traffic is back from the tree anyway, and no matter how "busy" the junction is (yes it is a busy most days) its still only one lane of traffic.

 

No ones going to pay you for road closure and cranes etc. on a little job like that, but no you dont want to shock load it but why would you? If its out of your league then leave it.

 

amen!

[joshscott]

amen!

 

I second that, crane/ road closure is major overkill, and major cost! Not even a big tree...... And looks piss easy to dismantle.

[Le Sanglier]

I second that, crane/ road closure is major overkill, and major cost! Not even a big tree...... And looks piss easy to dismantle.

 

I'm with Rupe and Josh, fairly standard stuff for an experienced gang.

Give 'em some old blather 'bout fungus'n'stuff, stick a grand on it, rattle it out by mid afternoon.

[Gary Prentice]

Theres loads of space behind the tree to rig into, its just a turning area at the end of a no through road. Easy days work for most, no crane, no traffic lights, no worries. Close the pavement and rig between red lights if necessary, i.e when the lights are red the traffic is back from the tree anyway, and no matter how "busy" the junction is (yes it is a busy most days) its still only one lane of traffic.

 

No ones going to pay you for road closure and cranes etc. on a little job like that, but no you dont want to shock load it but why would you? If its out of your league then leave it.

 

I'd agree, but I don't think you can just close a pavement. You need to provide barriers to isolate the public from the work area and traffic. Then if the lane isn't a certain minimum width, TM becomes necessary.

 

I know we all do it at times, but maybe this is too busy a junction to chance it?

[Mozza]

Sub the job out to an experienced outfit, stand and watch, learn from the day!