Cranes are becoming increasingly well integrated into arboriculture practice. Trees that are huge, awkwardly shaped, or in difficult to reach positions often need to be dismantled, lifted moved and placed elsewhere, or removed entirely using cranes.
It makes sense that the greater the size of the tree, the greater the size of the crane required to deal with it, but generally, realising that that dealing with trees of heights around 24-25 metres and above may require the use of a 135-to-160-ton crane, allows the sheer scale of the work to become a little clearer.
Using cranes in tree work is a highly technical operation that relies on experience, expertise, and meticulous logistical planning. There may be a need for additional equipment on site; road traffic may have to be managed depending on the tree’s location; where to place any removed timber safely must be established and the ultimate consideration for crane work always has to be safety and efficiency.
A guidance article by the Health and Safety Executive suggests that,
‘The lack of published accident statistics relating to the use of cranes in tree work in the UK might be considered as clear evidence of the safety of this type of operation. It also lends weight to the argument that the use of cranes raises standards of safety in the industry.’
To uphold this view, the expertise of the operators and tree surgeons who are carrying out crane assisted tree work is vital so the first step in the process should be a detailed site assessment and planning by experts. This will establish set up for access, decide where the equipment can fit, and carry out the calculations necessary to avoid crane overload and tipping risk – all to ensure the successful completion of the project.
But because crane work can be so complicated and involved, some tree surgeons prefer not to tackle what can be a very challenging area of tree surgery. Looking for accreditations such as Safe Contractor, CHAS & Construction Line Gold, and LOLER compliance for lifting equipment gives customers confidence that they have appointed the right contractor.
Dobells has carried out hundreds of successful crane removals.
