The Arboricultural Association of Western Australia’s Pia Finnigan suggests working smarter as winter approaches. Preparing for storm season is a good start.
As Western Australia moves out of bushfire season and into the cooler, wetter months, the focus for many contractors shifts from fire mitigation to storm preparedness.
The same vegetation that posed a fire risk over summer can soon become a hazard in high winds and heavy rain. Fallen limbs, blocked access tracks, and unstable trees create safety and operational challenges, and for arborists, winter storms can mean long days responding to emergency callouts, clearing access, and managing hazardous trees under difficult conditions.
Arborists and landowners are turning to mechanised solutions to stay ahead of the workload. Many are using forestry mowers, mulchers and specialised attachments to not only construct and maintain compliant firebreaks, but to prepare sites for winter weather and rapid response.
The right equipment, servicing, and planning can help businesses prepare for whatever the next season brings.
Challenges
Heavy timber, saturated ground and unstable trees can make even routine tasks complex and dangerous.
“During storm clean-up, arborists are often dealing with difficult ground conditions, unstable trees, unpredictable loads, and tight-access sites that can increase the risk of bogging or surface damage,” explained Vernon Gage, Sales Manager at Avant Equipment. “The combination of heavy timber, poor ground conditions, and urgency increases risk.”
Storm-response work often needs to be carried out quickly to restore access or remove hazards. When crews rely on manual lifting and handling, fatigue can quickly set in, increasing the likelihood of injuries or mistakes.
Reducing manual labour with the right machinery
Compact machinery is changing the way arborists approach storm-damage work. Equipment designed for confined spaces and uneven terrain allows crews to move large volumes of timber without relying on physical labour.
“Using an articulated Avant mini loader with the correct attachments – grapple buckets, log grabs, and winches – allows operators to lift, carry, and stack material mechanically rather than by hand,” said Gage. “Its 4WD system provides strong traction in poor ground conditions, and its rigid chassis provides stability on uneven terrain when handling heavy logs, allowing arborists to keep working during storm clean-up.
“Using the right machinery reduces manual handling, cuts fatigue, and improves overall site safety.”
For many arborists, compact loaders have become an essential part of storm preparation and response, assisting with:
* Transporting timber and debris;
* winching and lifting heavy logs;
* clearing blocked access tracks; and
* reducing physical strain on workers.
Preparing sites before the storms arrive
While storm response often receives the most attention, preparation before the weather turns is just as important. Clearing access tracks, managing vegetation around buildings, and maintaining firebreaks can reduce the impact of severe weather.
Forestry mulchers and mowing attachments allow operators to manage vegetation across large areas, particularly on rural or semi-rural properties with access tracks and firebreaks to be maintained year-round. Regular maintenance ensures emergency vehicles can reach properties if required.
Equipment suppliers such as Schaffer Loaders Australia and Digrite provide machinery and attachments designed to reduce manual labour while improving efficiency during both preparation and clean-up work.
For prevention and recovery
Digrite supports contractors, councils, and land managers with specialised vegetation and earthworks equipment for both preventative land-management and post-storm recovery. Machines equipped with forestry mulchers, grapple attachments, and compact loaders process fallen timber, clear access tracks and remove debris quickly while reducing manual handling and improving safety.
Digrite equipment can assist with:
* Vegetation management and fuel-load reduction;
* firebreak construction and maintenance;
* clearing fallen trees and storm debris; and
* restoring access tracks and rural roads.
Digrite is a practical partner for bushfire mitigation, storm recovery, and ongoing land management.
Schaffer Loaders
Rob Thompson from Schaffer Loaders Australia said compact articulated loaders are valuable for arborists responding to storm damage.
“Their design allows access to tight backyards and soft, waterlogged ground with minimal surface disturbance,” he explained. “Attachments like grapple buckets and log-skidding grapples make lifting and stacking heavy, storm-damaged timber safer and faster.”
With machines to handle the lifting, arborists can avoid unnecessary manual handling and keep crews away from potential crush zones while clearing debris.
“Preparing equipment before storm season is also critical,” Thompson added. “Contractors should inspect hydraulic hoses, tyres, fluids and safety systems, and refresh operator training on safe load handling and wet-weather operation. Preparing early helps minimise downtime and improves safety when storm work ramps up.”
What homeowners should consider
Storm preparation is not only an issue for contractors. Property owners can take simple steps before winter to reduce risks around their homes.
Before storm season arrives, homeowners should consider:
* Inspecting large trees near buildings, driveways or powerlines;
* removing dead or damaged limbs;
* seeking professional advice for trees showing structural defects; and
* arranging pruning or risk assessments where required.
Qualified arborists can provide professional assessment and management advice to ensure trees remain healthy while reducing the likelihood of storm damage.
Planning ahead for the season
As the seasons shift, arborists across Western Australia are once again preparing for the unpredictable nature of winter weather.
For many businesses, the key to managing storm season successfully lies in planning ahead, ensuring equipment is serviced, attachments are ready, and crews have the right tools.
With increasing demand for rapid storm response and safe work practices, mechanised solutions are becoming an important part of modern arboriculture.
