Tree Felling

Thornbury Parish

Tree Felling

After the tree at the south east of the Churchyard fell across the road, all of the trees in the Churchyard were inspected by the council, as they are responsible for the maintenance of closed Churchyards. It was realised that the beech tree on the west side of the Churchyard posed a significant risk of falling on to the Castle Gatehouse because of rot half way up the tree where storm damage had removed a large branch and left a hole.The Council discussed the problem with the PCC and it was reluctantly decided that the tree would have to be removed for safety. The pictures below show the tree from its leafless state to its final removal. Please click on the photos to enlarge them.

Before work started, note the damaged section where a branch has broken off in the past and the large hole in which rot was developing.

The start of the felling process involved the

removal of all the small side branches and their shredding (middle photo).

All of the side branches off and hoist a man to the top with the crane

Weigh up how to do the

next bit and attach the chains from the crane

Cut

Start hoisting up to break the section free

Breaking free

2 1/2 tons swinging free

The hole and rot above the main hole. There were several minor branches which had come off and let water and rot in.

Handfulls of rot!

Cutting the main damaged section off

The main damaged section which was about 5 foot high

Just below the main damaged section. Note how much rot there was and all of the water which was pouring out of it.

The last section ready for removal

The stump. Note the crack which was draining the water from above and the brown wood which was waterlogged and starting to rot. How long would it have survived before falling, the next big storm this winter or could it have lasted longer? Finally could someone count the tree rings and let the webmaster know how old it was?