THE Forestry Contracting Association (FCA) has produced a short guide about writing risk assessments for felling ash with Chalara ash dieback.

The guide states: “Felling diseased ash requires extra care be taken over and above the usual considered for hardwood working.”

Issues you will need to address when writing an ash dieback-specific risk assessment include: falling branchwood; branches being shed from contact with standing trees during felling; dead and dying trees; difficulties in acreating strong hinge; difficulties in maintaining control of felling direction; the use of felling aids only on a tree-by-tree basis after assessment of the tree’s condition; and pulling trees with a winch only on a tree-by-tree basis after assessment.

Find the guide on the FCA website at www.fcauk.com/felling-diseased-ash/.

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