How We Helped Over Farm Market Improve Safety With Professional Commercial Tree Surgery

When Over Farm Market required specialist, safety-focused tree surgery, they once again chose our experienced commercial arboriculture team. Following recommendations from an Independent Tree Survey Report, we carried out extensive tree works to ensure public safety, manage diseased trees, and preserve the landscape for the farm’s many events and high visitor footfall.

Over Farm hosts seasonal events, weddings, family attractions and daily visitors, making proactive tree management essential. Our commercial tree surgeons delivered a comprehensive programme of work designed to reduce risk, improve tree health and keep the site operating safely year-round.

Veteran Oak Tree Maintenance to Reduce Risk

Veteran trees require knowledgeable management to maintain their ecological value while ensuring they remain safe in public spaces.

Deadwood Removal for Public Safety

We carried out major deadwood removal across several Veteran Oak trees that are currently undergoing retrenchment. Removing large, unstable limbs was essential to protect:

· Public footpaths

· High-traffic visitor areas

· Staff access routes

These works help maintain long-term safety while supporting the continued health of these important veteran specimens.

---

Ash Dieback Management Across the Site

Ash Dieback (Chalara fraxinea) has significantly affected Common Ash trees nationwide, and several at Over Farm showed advanced signs of i

nfection.

Key Ash Dieback Works Included:

· Severe crown reduction to prevent limb failure

· Risk mitigation around high-traffic areas and visitor paths

· Specialist management of a leaning roadside Ash posing immediate risk

Creation of a Wildlife-Supporting Standing Monolith

Instead of removing the roadside Ash entirely, we created a Dead Standing Monolith by:

· Heavily pollarding the tree

· Adding fracture cuts to replicate natural storm damage

· Supporting biodiversity by encouraging invertebrates and wildlife habitats

Safe Work Delivery Using Specialist Equipment

To complete the works efficiently and safely:

· Go Ahead Traffic Management Ltd provided a controlled two-way traffic system

· A wheeled MEWP from Ermin Plant Hire ensured safe access to unstable limbs

· All works were completed within the Gloucestershire Highways time window

This allowed us to make a hazardous tree safe on one of Gloucestershire’s busiest roads without disruption.

Making Structurally Compromised Trees Safe

Three trees identified in the survey presented serious structural defects and posed significant risk due to their location.

1. Lombardy Poplar – Main Entrance

The brittle, elongated limbs of this Poplar had a high risk of failure. We carried out a substantial reduction to approximately 5m, enabling safe long-term management through regular epicormic growth cycles.

2. Monterey Pine – Near Rental Properties

This unusually shaped tree had branches extending up to 12 metres, placing extreme stress on its unions. A careful crown reduction helped rebalance the canopy and prolong the life of the tree while safeguarding nearby residents.

3. Leyland Cypress – Near the Ostrich Pen

Although visually stable from afar, this tree had suffered a significant trunk split. The safest option was full removal, including:

· Safe sectional felling

· Stump grinding to prevent regrowth and future risk

---

Sustainable Reuse of Timber and Woodchip

All arisings from the project were reused on-site to support Over Farm’s sustainability practices:

· Timber repurposed for firewood and wildlife habitat piles

· Woodchip used for maintaining footpaths and improving animal enclosure surfaces

This not only reduces waste but enhances the overall site environment.

---

Need Commercial Tree Surgery or Help Following a Tree Survey?

If your organisation manages land, public spaces, commercial venues or agricultural sites, professional tree surgery is essential for meeting safety standards, preventing liability and maintaining healthy landscapes.

Whether you’ve recently had a tree survey or need expert advice on tree risk management, we can help.

GET IN TOUCH