Birmingham University
Managing Trees, Hedges and Climbers Across a University Campus
Vegetation management on a university campus can involve a wide range of work, from maintaining established hedges to managing climbing plants around buildings and removing trees where required.
Beechwood Trees and Landscapes recently carried out a programme of vegetation management for the University of Birmingham, covering several areas across the campus.
The work included conifer hedge reduction, creeper maintenance around buildings, wall clearance, and the removal of a Silver Birch.
With multiple buildings, access points and parking areas to consider, the work needed to be planned around the requirements of the site and the equipment needed for each individual task.
The Work
The programme included several different areas of vegetation management:
Conifer Hedge
A section of conifer hedge required reduction to bring it under control and maintain the area around it.
Because of the size and position of the hedge, specialist access equipment was required. A truck-mounted MEWP could be used to provide access for the hedge reduction and wall clearance works.
As the site is within a university environment, planning also included consideration of bird nesting activity. The nesting check was scheduled for September, when there was less chance of nesting activity.
Creeper Maintenance
Creeper maintenance was also required around a number of campus buildings, including the Upper Campus Building and Engineering Building.
Creepers can require ongoing management around buildings, particularly where they extend across walls and into areas that need to remain accessible and maintained.
The work required the team to work carefully around the buildings while managing the vegetation and keeping the surrounding areas clear.
Bridge Wall and Silver Birch
Another area of the programme involved creeper removal from a bridge wall, alongside the felling of a Silver Birch.
This section of the work required a different approach to the hedge and building maintenance, demonstrating the variety of tasks that can form part of a wider vegetation management programme.
Working With the Right Equipment
A key part of the planning was selecting the appropriate equipment for each area of the site.
The project involved the use of specialist and standard equipment, including:
4x4 MEWP
Truck-mounted MEWP
Tow chipper
Pole hedge trimmer
Large tripod ladders
Tonne sacks
The combination of equipment allowed the team to work across different areas of the campus and adapt to the requirements of each task.
For the larger hedge and wall works, MEWP access provided a suitable way for the team to reach the required working areas.
Ground-based equipment and access methods were then used where appropriate for the smaller or more accessible sections of the work.
Planning Around an Active Campus
Working on a university site means considering more than just the vegetation itself.
The team needed to consider access around the buildings and the use of nearby parking areas. Parking bays needed to be cleared where required to provide the necessary working space for equipment.
Planning the work in advance helped ensure that the team could access the required areas and carry out the work in a controlled manner.
The nesting check for the conifer hedge was also factored into the programme, helping to ensure the work was scheduled appropriately.
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A Varied Vegetation Management Programme
One of the main features of this project was the variety of work involved.
Rather than being a single type of tree or vegetation job, the programme covered:
Conifer hedge reduction
Hedge and wall clearance
Creeper maintenance around buildings
Creeper removal
Silver Birch felling
Each area required its own approach, equipment and planning considerations.
This is typical of larger commercial and institutional sites, where vegetation management can involve multiple types of work across different parts of the same property.
The Result
The Beechwood team were able to carry out the required vegetation management across the different areas of the University of Birmingham campus.
From hedge reduction and creeper maintenance to wall clearance and Silver Birch felling, the work was planned around the individual requirements of each location.
The project demonstrates the importance of having the right equipment and approach when managing vegetation across a large commercial or institutional site.
