Safe tree work needs clear planning, skilled teams, and strong control.
For this large public sector arboriculture framework, Dryad Tree Specialists developed a practical delivery model for tree surgery, emergency response, tree risk management, and planned arboricultural works across Cheshire East.
The Client
The framework was procured by Ansa Environmental Services Limited, working in connection with Cheshire East Council. The contract covers arboriculture works across the Cheshire East area, including public spaces, highways, parks, green spaces, and other council-managed sites.
The framework was designed to support service continuity, public safety, and efficient delivery of tree works from July 2025 onwards.
The Challenge
The client needed reliable arboricultural contractors who could respond to a wide range of tree work packages.
These works could include emergency tree services, pruning, tree felling, section dismantling, stump grinding, woodland management, vegetation clearance, and works next to highways.
The sites vary in size, risk, access, and public use. This means each job needs careful planning before work starts.
- Emergency works requiring attendance within one hour
- High-risk works requiring completion within 20 working days
- Medium and low-risk works requiring planned delivery
- Tree works near adopted highways and public areas
- Safe working around residents, pedestrians, traffic, and council staff
- Clear digital records for completed works
- Strong performance against quotation, completion, and audit KPIs
The Scope of Works
Dryad’s delivery model was built around the full range of arboricultural services required under the framework.
| Service Area | Dryad Delivery Approach |
|---|---|
| Tree surgery | Safe pruning, crown reduction, pollarding, sectional dismantling, and tree felling in line with BS 3998. |
| Emergency tree works | Rapid response for fallen, dangerous, or storm-damaged trees, with trained crews and suitable equipment ready to deploy. |
| Highway tree works | Planned works near roads, pavements, and public routes, supported by traffic management where needed. |
| Tree risk management | Site-specific risk assessment, competent supervision, and clear escalation where defects or hazards are found. |
| Vegetation and woodland management | Practical clearance, access management, and responsible handling of arisings. |
| Digital reporting | Use of client systems and Dryad’s own ArbManage platform to record progress, evidence completion, and support audit trails. |
The Approach
Dryad’s approach starts before a team reaches site.
Each work package is reviewed by the contracts team. The scope, location, access, risk level, equipment needs, timescale, and public safety controls are checked before resources are assigned.
Work is then planned through Dryad’s internal management system, ArbManage. This helps the team schedule works, allocate the right staff, track training, manage equipment checks, and record completion evidence.
- Review the work package and client specification
- Check access, site risks, traffic needs, and public interface
- Allocate trained staff, vehicles, plant, and specialist equipment
- Prepare RAMS and site controls
- Complete a site-specific risk assessment before work starts
- Upload job notes, photographs, and completion records
- Review quality before sign-off and invoicing
Risk Assessment and Method Statements
Public sector tree work depends on strong risk control.
Dryad uses generic risk assessments, project-specific method statements, and site-specific risk assessments. These are used together to control the known risks and deal with any changes found on site.
Before work starts, the team leader completes a site-specific risk assessment. The team is briefed before cutting begins. If conditions change, work is paused and the method is reviewed.
Typical controls include exclusion zones, banksmen, Chapter 8 traffic management, PPE, MEWP use, aerial rescue planning, wildlife checks, and clear communication with the client.
Specialist Equipment and Machinery
Dryad holds a broad fleet of vehicles, plant, and arboricultural equipment. This gives the team flexibility across different work sites.
For this type of framework, the likely equipment includes tipping trucks, woodchippers, stump grinders, MEWPs, grab lorries, loaders, tractors, traffic management equipment, chainsaws, rigging kit, and battery-powered tools.
This helps Dryad match the method to the site. A tight-access site may need compact machinery. A large dismantle may need MEWP access, rigging, or crane support. Highway work may need traffic management and timed working to protect the public.
Public Safety and Community Value
Many work packages take place in busy public spaces. That means safety, communication, and tidiness matter.
Dryad plans works to reduce disruption for residents, road users, site teams, and the wider public. Work zones are set up clearly. Teams use branded vehicles and PPE so residents can identify them with confidence.
Where suitable, arisings can be reused. Woodchip may be offered for local use, habitat piles may be created, and timber can be handled in ways that support biodiversity and reduce waste.
Quality Control
Every work package is checked against the client’s specification, safety requirements, and industry good practice.
Dryad’s quality process includes live job updates, before and after photographs, management review, HSEQ audits, and clear correction steps if anything falls short.
- Works completed to BS 3998 Tree Work Recommendations
- Arboricultural Association Arb Approved Contractor standards
- CHAS accredited health and safety processes
- Internal HSEQ audits and site checks
- Digital evidence of completed works
- Clear reporting against client KPIs
Contingency Planning
Framework contracts need reliable cover. Dryad plans for staff absence, equipment breakdown, bad weather, emergency works, and IT disruption.
The company keeps spare capacity in its schedules where possible. It also uses maintained equipment, weekly checks, hire partnerships, cloud-based systems, and alternative operating bases to protect service delivery.
This helps Dryad keep work moving without dropping standards.
Project Outcomes
The tender response set out a clear, scalable model for delivering arboricultural works across Cheshire East.
- A structured project management process from work issue to completion
- Safe delivery for highways, parks, public spaces, and council sites
- Digital tracking through ArbManage and client tree management software
- Strong risk control through RAMS and site-specific assessments
- Specialist equipment available for varied tree surgery tasks
- Clear quality checks, audit trails, and performance reporting
- Practical social value through apprenticeships, local supply chains, biodiversity, and waste reduction
Get in Touch
If your council, housing provider, estate, or public sector organisation needs professional tree surgery, arboricultural services, tree risk management, or planned tree safety works, contact Dryad Tree Specialists today.
Our experienced team delivers safe, practical, and reliable tree care with clear communication from start to finish.
