Emergency Removal of Dangerous Lime Tree – Piccolino’s Restaurant, Didsbury

In response to a 28-day notice issued by Manchester City Council, we were instructed to carry out the emergency removal of a dead Lime tree outside Piccolino’s Restaurant on Lapwing Lane, Didsbury.

The tree had been deemed a danger to life and limb, with its decaying structure posing a serious risk to diners, pedestrians, and road users. It overhung the restaurant frontage, a busy pavement, and an active carriageway. Given the location and severity of the risk, this job required careful planning and efficient execution to ensure public safety and minimal disruption to local businesses and traffic.

The Brief

Our objective was to:

Safely dismantle and remove a fully dead Lime tree overhanging the restaurant and public highway
Work within a limited window (9:30 AM–12 PM) to avoid disruption to restaurant opening hours and rush hour traffic
Coordinate all traffic and pedestrian management around the site
Leave the area clean, safe, and fully cleared by midday

Due to the condition of the tree, it was too dangerous to climb, and an elevated platform (MEWP) was required to carry out the work.

Planning and Permissions

We handled the full logistics and compliance process, including:

Traffic management planning, approved by the local authority
Use of Stop/Go boards to manage vehicle flow and minimise hold-ups
Setting up pedestrian exclusion zones with cones, signage, and barriers
Preparing a detailed Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS) covering working at height, MEWP operation, chainsaw use, and public interface
Coordination with Manchester City Council and the restaurant to ensure clear lines of communication throughout

Method and Execution

On the day of the job, our team arrived early to set up the work zone before the start of the permit window at 9:30 AM.

Tree surgeon in a MEWP dismantling a dead Lime tree section by section in a public area. — Tree surgeon dismantling a dead Lime tree using a MEWP outside Piccolino’s in Didsbury — carried out safely under traffic and pedestrian control.

Key actions included:

Setting up traffic control and pedestrian diversions
Operating from a MEWP to safely access and dismantle the upper crown
Carefully lowering branches in sections to prevent damage to the restaurant and pavement
Monitoring and adjusting traffic flow with Stop/Go boards between cuts to avoid unnecessary delays
Removing all timber and arisings from site immediately

The tree was dismantled section by section, down to ground level, with every effort made to minimise noise and disruption to local residents and businesses.

Outcome

The entire operation was completed safely, efficiently, and ahead of schedule, with all works wrapped up before the restaurant opened its doors for lunchtime service at 12 PM.

✅ The dangerous tree was fully removed
✅ No disruption to local businesses
✅ Traffic and pedestrians safely managed
✅ Area left clean, clear, and ready for public access

The client and local authority were pleased with the professionalism of the work and the minimal impact on one of Didsbury’s busiest roads.

Tree surgeon in MEWP dismantling final section of Lime tree with safety barriers and traffic management in place. — Final stage of Lime tree removal outside Piccolino’s — tree surgeon working from MEWP with safety signage and barriers managing traffic and pedestrians.

Need Emergency Tree Work in a Public Location?

At Woodfelder Tree Care, we specialise in safe tree removals in high-risk, high-traffic environments. Whether it’s outside a restaurant, school, retail site, or residential area, we provide:

Full RAMS and council liaison
Traffic and pedestrian management
Skilled MEWP and rigging operations
Clean, efficient, and safe delivery — with minimal disruption

If you’ve received a 28-day notice or have concerns about a dangerous or declining tree, contact us for a prompt, professional response.