Over the Easter break, Treescape crews successfully completed a large‑scale vegetation management operation at Lindale Reserve, addressing a significant stand of aging poplar trees posing ongoing risks to nearby infrastructure and future development.
A total of approximately 250 poplar trees were removed across the site. Of these, 210 trees were either conventionally felled or mechanically removed using an excavator‑mounted tree shear, allowing efficient clearance of smaller and medium‑sized trees throughout the reserve. An additional 40 large poplar trees were dismantled and removed using a 130‑tonne crane operated by Smiths Cranes, requiring detailed lift planning and close coordination between crews.
Work commenced on Friday morning, with Treescape crews undertaking a full site briefing and toolbox meeting alongside KiwiRail’s Rail Protection Officer (RPO) and all personnel on site. While rail protection (MIS 60) was not established until late morning, crews productively focused on dismantling off‑track vegetation during this period. Once protection was in place, operations expanded to include felling assisted by excavators, as well as elevated disassembly of trees located adjacent to water tanks servicing the nearby dementia care facility.
On Saturday, Treescape teams reconvened with Smiths Cranes and KiwiRail RPOs to review lift plans, Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), and site‑specific hazards related to crane operations and tree felling. The crane‑assisted operation proceeded safely and efficiently, with all 40 large poplar trees removed from behind the dementia home. Trees were lowered over the railway corridor into a designated paddock for processing, ensuring no lifts occurred directly over occupied buildings. Processing was completed on site using a 20‑inch forestry chipper and a 13‑tonne excavator, minimising transport movements and site impact.
On Sunday, crews completed the remaining works by felling and tree‑shearing the residual smaller poplars within Lindale Reserve. All brush and debris were chipped, and the entire site was harrowed and blown down, leaving the area safe and tidy.
As part of follow‑up works, all mulch was retained on site for the landowner’s use in an upcoming building project. Tree stumps were treated with brush killer to prevent regrowth, and the site will receive quarterly herbicide sprays over the next 12 months until native vegetation establishes.
This project was critical due to the trees’ deteriorating condition, with several having previously contacted overhead lines during the February storm event, resulting in three failures impacting the overhead line network. With a new subdivision scheduled to commence in June, the Easter break represented the final opportunity to safely remove these trees while the paddock remained accessible.
The works were completed safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption, demonstrating effective coordination between Treescape, KiwiRail, and Smiths Cranes.
