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Here, our task was to erect fencing to protect newly planted native-mix hedging on the edge of Salisbury Plain.
We used a single strand of electric fence with 2 x barbed wire to stop the cattle from eating the new plants!
Mechanical dismantling of a pair of dying oak trees over a security fence. We used a Magni telehandler fitted with a Westmec grapplesaw.
The decision was made to remove 2 oak trees to a pollard following a PICUS test and Health and Safety concerns. Had it been a different location, it would have remained untouched. There will be a fence around it shortly, and the pollard will remain for a long time to come
See our tree survey information and details of PICUS here
Total number of trees/saplings planted: 6408
Shrub species for the field edges: Hazel, Holly, Viburnum, Blackthorn, Field Maple, Hawthorn.
Tree species for the middle sections: Alder, Pine, Oak, Poplar, Hazel, Willow, Holly.
Look what Mark found while clearing. Ash trees last week
(Feb 2026)
Chipping of sycamore trees infected with possible sooty bark disease.
Dust suppression was required, as it was the only dry day last week!
See Forest Research for more information about Sooty bark disease (Cryptostroma corticale)
Dismantle completed chipping to commence,
Great job by Scott, Antony , Richard and Cameron is even back for a while !
The RoboFlail out, clearing heavy bramble and scrub near Salisbury.
The sun came out eventually 🙂
Charlie with the RoboFlail is busy this week, clearing scrubby banks near Castle Combe as part of a grassland restoration project.
Here, the video shows the Valtra 121 is fitted with a cut and collect flail to clear 5-year old scrub regrowth to help the chalk grassland and nearby Juniper. The site was cleared 5 years ago. The ability of the machine to collect the cut materials prevents the nutrient level from being raised in the soil. This helps with chalk grassland and wildflowers as they prefer a low level of soil fertility to prevent being outcompeted by other species.
And the pics show Toby out on the cut and collect flail clearing scrub as part of chalk grassland management
