{"id":2581,"date":"2026-05-06T10:44:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T09:44:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/?p=2581"},"modified":"2026-05-07T16:03:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T15:03:22","slug":"removal-of-holly-stumps-using-a-winch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/?p=2581","title":{"rendered":"Removal of holly stumps using a winch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"attachment_2594\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2594\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2594\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Large-Holly-stump-1-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Large-Holly-stump-1-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Large-Holly-stump-1-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Large-Holly-stump-1-75x100.jpg 75w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Large-Holly-stump-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Large-Holly-stump-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Large-Holly-stump-1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Large-Holly-stump-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2594\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Large cut holly stump<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<p>The Friends team have been using a winch to remove the larger stumps of holly trees that they have previously cut down. This can be strenuous work as the tree roots don&#8217;t always come out of the ground easily.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The work needs to be carefully planned. The condition of the equipment is checked before use, then a suitable anchor tree is located to secure the winch near to the holly stump. It is important to consider the health and safety of the team during the procedure, ensuring everyone knows the dangers involving the use of steel cable that is under tension.<\/p>\n<p>The nylon pulley strap is secured to the stump and then the snatch block winch pulley is attached to it. This is then ready for the steel cable to be joined to it.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2583\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2583\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2583\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Winch-strap-around-holly-stump-close-up-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Winch-strap-around-holly-stump-close-up-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Winch-strap-around-holly-stump-close-up-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Winch-strap-around-holly-stump-close-up-75x100.jpg 75w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Winch-strap-around-holly-stump-close-up-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Winch-strap-around-holly-stump-close-up-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Winch-strap-around-holly-stump-close-up-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Winch-strap-around-holly-stump-close-up-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2583\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pulley snatch block and nylon strap<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The winch containing a steel cable is secured to an anchor tree with another nylon strap and safety cable. The steel cable is then pulled out and attached to the pulley.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2585\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2585\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2585\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Close-up-winch-strapped-to-tree-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Close-up-winch-strapped-to-tree-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Close-up-winch-strapped-to-tree-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Close-up-winch-strapped-to-tree-75x100.jpg 75w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Close-up-winch-strapped-to-tree-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Close-up-winch-strapped-to-tree-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Close-up-winch-strapped-to-tree-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Close-up-winch-strapped-to-tree-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2585\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Winch with safety cable &amp; nylon strap<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The snatch block is then secured to the steel cable.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2588\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2588\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2588\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Peter-and-Phil-attaching-cable-to-pulley-682x800.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"751\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Peter-and-Phil-attaching-cable-to-pulley-682x800.jpg 682w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Peter-and-Phil-attaching-cable-to-pulley-341x400.jpg 341w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Peter-and-Phil-attaching-cable-to-pulley-85x100.jpg 85w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Peter-and-Phil-attaching-cable-to-pulley-768x901.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Peter-and-Phil-attaching-cable-to-pulley.jpg 1040w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2588\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Attaching snatch block to steel cable<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2599\" style=\"width: 460px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2599\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2599\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/pulley-450x800.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/pulley-450x800.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/pulley-225x400.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/pulley-56x100.jpg 56w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/pulley-768x1365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/pulley-864x1536.jpg 864w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/pulley.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2599\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pulley attached to stump and winch cable<\/p><\/div>\n<p>A long extension pole handle is then connected to the winch ratchet and the tightening process begins&#8230;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2589\" style=\"width: 460px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2589\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2589\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Complete-pulley-winch-with-Phil-450x800.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Complete-pulley-winch-with-Phil-450x800.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Complete-pulley-winch-with-Phil-225x400.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Complete-pulley-winch-with-Phil-56x100.jpg 56w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Complete-pulley-winch-with-Phil-768x1365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Complete-pulley-winch-with-Phil-864x1536.jpg 864w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Complete-pulley-winch-with-Phil.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2589\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Complete winch assembly<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Complete winch assembly<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2590\" style=\"width: 460px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2590\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2590\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Phill-winching-with-ratchet-handle-2-450x800.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Phill-winching-with-ratchet-handle-2-450x800.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Phill-winching-with-ratchet-handle-2-225x400.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Phill-winching-with-ratchet-handle-2-56x100.jpg 56w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Phill-winching-with-ratchet-handle-2-768x1365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Phill-winching-with-ratchet-handle-2-864x1536.jpg 864w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Phill-winching-with-ratchet-handle-2.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2590\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Winching<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_2598\" style=\"width: 460px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2598\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2598\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Winch-450x800.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Winch-450x800.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Winch-225x400.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Winch-56x100.jpg 56w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Winch-768x1365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Winch-864x1536.jpg 864w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Winch.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2598\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Winching<span style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\">The holly stump is then steadily drawn out of the soil until it is freed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Finally a mattock is used to lever out any roots that remain deeply entrenched in the ground. The stump with roots is then left in the woods to decompose creating a rich habitat for small creatures.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2592\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2592\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2592\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mat-with-Mattock-with-holly-root-stump-after-winching-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mat-with-Mattock-with-holly-root-stump-after-winching-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mat-with-Mattock-with-holly-root-stump-after-winching-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mat-with-Mattock-with-holly-root-stump-after-winching-75x100.jpg 75w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mat-with-Mattock-with-holly-root-stump-after-winching-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mat-with-Mattock-with-holly-root-stump-after-winching-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mat-with-Mattock-with-holly-root-stump-after-winching-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mat-with-Mattock-with-holly-root-stump-after-winching-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2592\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Using mattock to remove holly stump roots<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_2593\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2593\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2593\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Matt-with-winched-holly-stump-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Matt-with-winched-holly-stump-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Matt-with-winched-holly-stump-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Matt-with-winched-holly-stump-75x100.jpg 75w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Matt-with-winched-holly-stump-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Matt-with-winched-holly-stump-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Matt-with-winched-holly-stump-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Matt-with-winched-holly-stump-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2593\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Job done!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And the job is done!<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Friends team have been using a winch to remove the larger stumps of holly trees that they have previously cut down. This can be strenuous work as the tree roots don&#8217;t always come out of the ground easily.\u00a0 The &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/?p=2581\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2581","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-main","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/70"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2581"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2701,"href":"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581\/revisions\/2701"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2581"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2581"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fongw.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}