The use of cranes in tree work requires planning. Often involving additional equipment or during traffic management procedures, crane work requires logistical foresight and safety considerations well beyond simply turning up, parking the crane, and working on the tree.
But, you’d be forgiven for thinking that surely a crane could handle all tree work scenarios so what are cherry pickers and MEWPs actually for?
Well, it’s worth remembering that crane work is a complicated area that usually deals with the removal of large or dangerous trees which means that they’re not always the most appropriate piece of equipment for the job in hand.
Cherry pickers, as the name suggests were originally designed to help harvest fruits safely from tall trees. Their subsequent use in the building and other industries didn’t seem to result in a name change so cherry pickers they remained.
Basically, cherry pickers consist of plastic or metal buckets that are attached to a hydraulic lifting system which raises the bucket up and down, and in other directions. For a tree surgeon this makes them ideal for professional pruning, or removing high dead branches, particularly when working on tall trees (and they are also still used to harvest fruit).
Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) are used by tree surgeons when they are at increased risk of injury due to the tree work required, for example when the work is being carried out on rough terrain, or unstable, uneven ground, or the tree itself is unsafe to climb as they provide a stable platform from which to work. They tend to be relatively compact which makes them ideal for working on trees that are growing in small or awkward situations.
Cherry pickers and MEWPs provide quick, safe secure working platforms for access to tree work. In urban settings, or where there are a moderate number of trees, diseased trees, or trees that may be difficult to climb, the use of cherry pickers and MEWPs is an ideal solution.
The expert use of cherry pickers and MEWPs provides a full range of arboricultural services to clients.
