Rhododendron Clearance & Woodland Management (Private Shooting Estate in West Lancashire – Case Study)

Treeclear UK recently completed rhododendron clearance and woodland management for a private shooting estate in West Lancashire.

Check out further details of the case study as well as images taken from the project.

Client: Private Shooting Estate (West Lancashire)

Key Services: Rhododendron Clearance & Woodland Management

About The Site / Project

The private shooting estate in West Lancashire enquired with Treeclear UK for our team to assist with rhododendron that was covering the majority of the 30 Ha woodland.

Our client requested for us to clear over two seasons to avoid disruption to the shooting. Moreover, we were also requested to deliver woodland management services. Specifically, to undertake a 30% thin.

Rhododendron Clearance (Stage 1)

Firstly, our highly-experienced team at Treeclear UK started mulching the overgrown impenetrable rhododendron. The rhododendron covered the majority of the woodland area but rather than removing all the rhododendron, it was decided that it would be more beneficial to leave specific areas providing cover for the shoot. 

Using 2 lightweight and low-impact forestry excavators with specially designed mulching heads, we reduced the large woody rhododendron down to virtually nothing leaving the area neat and tidy.

Woodland Management (Stage 2)

Following on from the rhododendron clearance, we proceed with the woodland management aspect which in essence was 30% thin. Again, working closely with the client, we wanted to retain trees around the rearing pens and ponds and around the perimeter of the woodland.

Furthermore, we also wanted to retain good quality mature trees as well as a diverse spread of mixed hardwoods. Using a 9-ton excavator with a 30mm tree shear and a 15-ton excavator with a 400mm tree shear, we were able to work through the woodland in tandem.

Once the trees had been sheared the timer was cut into 2.5 lengths and stacked on site prior to being transferred to the roadside. The remaining brash that has been separated out when prepping the timber was also taken out to the track. Timber was loaded onto wagons and removed from site as firewood and the brash was chipped into walking floor wagons and taken away for biomass.

Rhododendron Clearance & Woodland Management

To bring the project together, we were instrumental in handling and delivering each individual aspect of the job methodically to meet the client’s expectations and timeframes.

To complete the project, we went through the woodland grading out the timber extraction routes and creating new access tracks to the pheasant pens. Finally, we imported some new stone and re-graded the stone track leaving the site clean and tidy on completion.

Why Choose Treeclear UK?

Treeclear UK provides rhododendron clearance, woodland management, and several other land clearance services throughout the UK. We work with various clients including wildlife trusts, private estates, commercial clients, and government organisations.

Qualifications and member organisations we’re proud to be a part of include;-

• Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS)
• City & Guilds NPTC qualified including (FMOC) 
• Members Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA)