Drones Used to Directly Lift and Transport Felled Trees in Special High-Tree Felling in Kamakura City

The Japan Drone Business Support Association (DBA) (Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, Representative Director: Koji Morimoto) conducted a demonstration of direct drone transport of felled trees at a special high-tree felling site in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture on Friday, May 29, 2026. In a situation where trees overhanging buildings were being felled and could not be dropped to the ground, the method of lifting and transporting the cut trees by drone was safely executed through collaboration among multiple drone operators.

Background: The challenge of felled trees that cannot be dropped to the ground

In urban areas or near buildings, there are many felling sites where trees cannot simply be dropped to the ground. For trees overhanging roads or buildings, there is a risk of property damage or personal injury from falling objects. Traditionally, careful removal by manual labor or cranes has been required. Drone lifting and transport offers a new option for such sites where trees cannot be dropped.

Details: Transport of trees overhanging buildings in three operations

This project was carried out on May 29, 2026, in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The method of felling trees overhanging buildings and transporting them by drone without dropping them was verified. The felling was done in three operations, with each felled tree weighing between 17 and 67 kg. The logistics drones "DJI FlyCart 30" and "DJI FlyCart 100" were used for transport.
1st tree: approx. 25 kg
2nd tree: approx. 17 kg
3rd tree: approx. 67 kg

Safety management: Identified risks and countermeasures

This operation involved the following risks, which were identified and shared with all parties in advance:
- Difficulty in accurately assessing the weight of the felled tree; if the load during felling exceeds the drone's maximum payload, it could lead to a fall.
- If the winch or other equipment gets tangled in branches, it could lead to a crash.
- If cutting takes too long, flight time may become insufficient.

Taking these into account, safety was ensured through precise piloting skills, coordination with assistants, and most importantly, collaboration with the felling operator, allowing the work to be completed safely.

Future developments

DBA will continue to propose drone utilization for high-difficulty sites, including special felling and large-scale projects.
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We also welcome inquiries from businesses looking to enter the drone industry or seeking advice on drone applications within the industry.

Collaboration structure

This demonstration was carried out through collaboration between DBA and the following drone operators:
Kinshu Co., Ltd. (Yamaguchi Prefecture, President: Hidetoshi Arikuni)
LIS LLC (Tokyo, Representative: Kensuke Hirano)
doSORA (Yamagata Prefecture, Representative: Toshikazu Yokoyama)
AK Drone Consultant Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, President: Teimitsu Akai)
GOODREI Co., Ltd. / Chiba TBT (Chiba Prefecture, President: Kensuke Sueyoshi)
Soranami Drone (Kanagawa Prefecture, Representative: Mitsutaka Nose)
drmt (Hyogo Prefecture, Representative: Takamitsu Miki)
Special Cooperation
SEKIDO Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo)
High-tree felling operator
Woodman Kamakura Co., Ltd. (Kanagawa Prefecture, President: Tsuyoshi Yamagami)

About the Japan Drone Business Support Association

The association operates drone business certified schools and national qualification courses nationwide. It promotes the social implementation of drones through pilot training, disaster response support, and business consulting.
Location: 4F, Daiichi Central Building, 6-36 Honmachi, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture
Representative Director: Koji Morimoto
Official website: https://www.drone-business.jp