by Ian Bushell
After Alan and Sarah had set off to litter-pick their way along the Lambrok, the rest of the Wednesday Work Party made its way to the hard path by the tributary stream where a hanging branch on a dead Ash tree had been reported as a possible danger to visitors.
We had previously discussed the situation with Rich Murphy, our Tree & Woodland Officer in South & West Wiltshire, and had been given approval to remove the hanging branch and to cut down the rest of the tree using our chainsaw. We put signs out along the path to warn walkers and we set to work.
Phil took the tree down and then trimmed off the branches which the rest of us took away and stacked, thus clearing the path. It then became evident that just behind where this tree had been were two more trees with hanging branches.
Grey Squirrels had ring barked the upper trunk of these trees, both Oaks, causing them to die back; the die back and the recent high winds had caused them to break off and get hung up as they fell. The decision was made to cut down these two trees as well. We took the same safety precautions and then removed and stacked the branches, clearing the path.
Phil and I were trimming the three trunks when Rich Murphy arrived in company with the newly recruited Tree Officer for North Wiltshire. Having seen what we had done, Rich agreed that it made sense to take down the two additional trees as a precaution. While we understand the value of deadwood habitat, we have to make sure our visitors are safe.
We stacked the trunks of the felled trees alongside the path. We intend to use them on the embankment of the Studley Bridge to stabilise the clay and stones but that is a task for another day.
Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve 
Big thanks from all at Southwick Country parkrun
We love an excuse to get the chainsaw out: a real big boy’s toy.