Increasing woodland productivity whilst lowering impact on nature and roads thanks to better equipment with a Rural Surrey LEADER (Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'Économie Rurale) grant for Ben Nicholson Tree Services.
Ben Nicholson Trees Ltd was established in 1999 and is a small, motivated team who are passionate about arboriculture.
The company was awarded Rural Surrey LEADER funding to purchase a small forestry tractor and timber forwarding trailer. The size of this equipment will allow better access to smaller woodlands, easier transportation to and from sites and will also minimise damage to the woodlands which otherwise could require costly reinstatement works.
The equipment will be used to extract felled timber and deliver directly to the end user, thus reducing the need to make loading areas and reducing transportation costs.
The trailer will also be used to transport the timber in one piece back to the applicant's yard, removing the need for it to be cut first. The new equipment is small enough to be driven on the road removing the need for expensive transportation and the tractor may be used alone to power the whole tree chipper or forestry mulcher for light duty works. The applicant can self-sufficiently manage timber extraction on smaller sites where timber is currently being wasted due to necessity to cut into smaller pieces for removal.
Project costs, grant awarded, and job created
- Forestry tractor and trailer
- Total project cost £177,120
- Grant awarded: £50,000
- Jobs created: 2 FTE (Full time equivalent)
Are you eligible for a Rural England Prosperity Fund grant for your project?
Inspired? Would your project be eligible for a Rural England Prosperity Fund grant? Could you get up to £50,000 and up to 50% of your capital costs with Rural England Prosperity Fund grant? Find out about the Rural England Prosperity Fund.
