Hazardous tree management - FAQs

A hazardous tree survey of the woodland, including Ridge Wood, The Ridge offices and around the perimeters of the quarry complex, sadly identified that many ash trees have been affected by ash dieback disease. This means that over time the diseased trees are likely to become brittle, drop branches and the most affected trees will eventually die and collapse. Additionally, a number of Sycamore trees have been identified as suffering with Sooty Bark Disease, which is a fungal disease that has become prominent recently and is exacerbated by periods of drought.

Work to ensure the safe removal of affected trees that pose a risk first got underway in the autumn of 2024. This followed securing a felling licence from the Forestry Commission (FC). Working with South Gloucestershire Council (SGC), who are our tenant at Ridge Woods, the approach has been to focus on the careful management of habitats and the protection of wildlife, including nesting birds – which is why the work has had to be carried out in phases. A specialist contractor has been involved throughout, with ecologists also carrying a watching brief.

It’s important to stress that the decision to fell affected trees was not taken lightly. In some places we have been able to pollard and/or leave some affected trees as monoliths to boost wildlife habitats and natural regeneration. However, in high trafficked areas, such as adjacent to footpaths, we have, understandably, taken a safety-first approach.  

The tree felling programme is now entering its final phases and is expected to be completed by summer 2026.  

The remaining hazardous trees in Ridge Woods not felled last winter due to ecological constraints are now being removed. In addition, we will also be completing the necessary tree felling around our offices at The Ridge, as well as along some of the roads that abut our quarry landholding.

In some places safe tree removal has necessitated short term road closures and we liaised with SGC’s Highway team to ensure the relevant approvals were in place. Similarly, we were also in close contact with National Grid to make sure that the trees identified for removal close to overhead cables were removed safely. 

Yes. There were a number of trees under a TPO that were identified as hazardous and needing removal. A felling licence from the Forestry Commission (FC) permits this and we liaised with both the FC and SGC to ensure all the correct procedures were followed. 

As custodians of the natural habitat across our land holding at Chipping Sodbury, we share local people’s dismay about the need to remove hazardous trees. However, working closely with SGC and Friends of Ridge Wood, we are determined to make the most of the situation. Our aim is that through careful restocking and managed regeneration, the biodiversity of the woodland can be enhanced, including via the introduction of a rich mixture of tree and shrub species.

We have been happy to support SGC, which is our tenant at Ridge Woods, by funding restocking activity. To date, this has included the supply planting of over 350 native trees, including field maple, sweet chestnut, birch and hazel. These have now been planted and will be monitored going forward by SGC and The Friends of Ridge Wood to ensure their success. Further restocking will take place later in 2026 and overall, the selection of tree species for replanting has been guided by the principles of adaptation and resilience, both in terms of climate and ecological diversity.

In addition, we have funded the installation of new bat and bird boxes to replace those lost through felling. So far, 30 multi-crevice bat boxes (equivalent to 60 bat crevice features) have been put up and a further 30 bat features are also being created in the retained standing dead wood monoliths using drills and chainsaws. Around 30 bird boxes for owl, kestrel, treecreeper, woodpecker and robin are also being installed.

To support the best practice approach to regeneration, SGC also commissioned an experienced ecologist to produce a new five-year management plan for Ridge Woods. This is now complete and focuses on managing ash dieback and diversifying woodland to ensure resilience for people and wildlife.

Along our landholding abutting Brinsham Lane much of the felled material will be left in situ. This is because it is considered best practice in this type of woodland to retain large trunks and brash on site as deadwood to provide important habitat for birds, bats, invertebrates and fungi as it rots down. Although this may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, it is the best for nature.  

Our approach, as approved by Natural England, supports the natural regeneration of the woodland along Brinsham Lane. Greater light levels to the ground will encourage a more representative mix of vegetation and will also benefit watercourse habitats in the stream. Our aim is to facilitate the creation of an area of woodland that has both woodland canopy connections within the landscape and open sunny spaces and scrub and bramble habitat for the benefit of a wide range of species. This will see lost trees replaced principally by natural regeneration, but the possible need for replacement planting will be kept under review.