From TexAgs Sponsor, D4 Land Services:
How did you clear your land??
Dozer vs Forestry Mulching
The BIG comparison
We always like to inform our clients exactly what we offer and what to expect. One of our daily
talking points is the comparison of two different methods to clear your land.
There are several different ways to go about it. A few key factors that dictate which method
should be performed include:
A) Terrain
B) Use/goals
C) Timeline
D) Type and density of vegetation
Although there are multiple methods, here we define the two primary methods
1) Conventional/Mechanical
Use of a bulldozer, skid steer or excavator to push or pull the brush or trees out,
removing the above grade vegetation and most of the underground roots or stumps.
This will require burning or hauling off the debris.
2) Forestry Mulching
Use of a forestry specific machine that moves and cuts vegetation at ground level and
processes it down to a mulch that is left on the surface in a smooth mat across the area
cleared.
Let's talk pros and cons of mechanical clearing:
Pros-
Removal of majority of root systems (results in less regrowth)
Allows for grading of uneven terrain
Allows for easy planting, grasses, sprigging, food plots etc
More cost effective on large trees and big brush
Cons-
Most likely burning or hauling off involved
Can damage or kill sensitive trees such as Post Oaks or Blackjack Oaks due to
disruption of root systems or compaction of soils around trees
Disturbs or removes some or all topsoil
High likelihood of erosion on steep grade or drainage areas
Requires planting of grasses
WARNING!
Dozer and excavator work is only as good as the operator and how far he is willing to take the
project. Does the operator intend to clear properly and finish grade, burn or remove all
material? Will he leave it a mess or will it be grass or build ready? How much work will be left
once the equipment is gone?
These questions are simple but required of any conventional/mechanical project.
Pros and cons of Forestry Mulching:
Pros-
Little to no burning
Leaves vegetation to deteriorate creating additional topsoil over a 2-6 yr period
Mitigates erosion, especially on steep grade and drainage areas
Does not damage sensitive tree root systems, and with a low ground pressure machine
can be less likely to compact soils around sensitive or older large trees.
Can be used to trim up limbs on desired trees
Can be overseeded immediately with no drag or disk involved.
Cons-
Does not remove root system(more regrowth)
Cannot be disked or dragged for food plots or planting
Cannot be sprigged
Not conducive for construction(roots and mulch will have to be removed for structures)
Not cost efficient for large material
Does not change grade
WARNING!
Not all mulchers are the same, not all mulchers are efficient and not all operators have the
know-how to perform effectively. Will the mulch be too large to decompose in a reasonable
amount of time? Will I be able to mow the area with a lawn mower or tractor? Will I have
damaged trees? Will the area mulched be rough or driveable?
Here are a few guidelines if you are determining which method would fit your property.
If you plan to build a home or a structure in the near future, mulching is not a good fit for you, at
least not in the general location of a structure. However, if you plan to build years down the
road, it could be the right fit if you allow the material to decompose and with the right
maintenance, Your property could be ready in 2-6 yrs depending on the vegetation that was
removed.
If you're planning for more pastures or grazing areas within a year, mechanical clearing would
likely be the best fit. Removal of root systems and grading out the land will allow for planting and
working the soils but would require burning or hauling off site.
If you have sensitive trees, need trails, fence rows cleaned, expand a view, steep grade or
highly erodible soils, mulching would be a better fit.
Either way, D4 Land Services has the right tools for the job. We strive to recommend to our
clients the right methods to accomplish their goals, on time, the right way and with no surprises.
We offer free consultations! Feel free to comment or give us a call if you would like a
recommendation on the best method to fit your project needs. 979-676-1985 Please check out
some of our equipment and our services atwww.d4landservices.com
C Dale Dempsey
D4 Land Services LLC
PO BOX 92
Kurten TX 77862
979-676-1985
www.d4landservices.com
How did you clear your land??
Dozer vs Forestry Mulching
The BIG comparison
We always like to inform our clients exactly what we offer and what to expect. One of our daily
talking points is the comparison of two different methods to clear your land.
There are several different ways to go about it. A few key factors that dictate which method
should be performed include:
A) Terrain
B) Use/goals
C) Timeline
D) Type and density of vegetation
Although there are multiple methods, here we define the two primary methods
1) Conventional/Mechanical
Use of a bulldozer, skid steer or excavator to push or pull the brush or trees out,
removing the above grade vegetation and most of the underground roots or stumps.
This will require burning or hauling off the debris.
2) Forestry Mulching
Use of a forestry specific machine that moves and cuts vegetation at ground level and
processes it down to a mulch that is left on the surface in a smooth mat across the area
cleared.
Let's talk pros and cons of mechanical clearing:
Pros-
Removal of majority of root systems (results in less regrowth)
Allows for grading of uneven terrain
Allows for easy planting, grasses, sprigging, food plots etc
More cost effective on large trees and big brush
Cons-
Most likely burning or hauling off involved
Can damage or kill sensitive trees such as Post Oaks or Blackjack Oaks due to
disruption of root systems or compaction of soils around trees
Disturbs or removes some or all topsoil
High likelihood of erosion on steep grade or drainage areas
Requires planting of grasses
WARNING!
Dozer and excavator work is only as good as the operator and how far he is willing to take the
project. Does the operator intend to clear properly and finish grade, burn or remove all
material? Will he leave it a mess or will it be grass or build ready? How much work will be left
once the equipment is gone?
These questions are simple but required of any conventional/mechanical project.
Pros and cons of Forestry Mulching:
Pros-
Little to no burning
Leaves vegetation to deteriorate creating additional topsoil over a 2-6 yr period
Mitigates erosion, especially on steep grade and drainage areas
Does not damage sensitive tree root systems, and with a low ground pressure machine
can be less likely to compact soils around sensitive or older large trees.
Can be used to trim up limbs on desired trees
Can be overseeded immediately with no drag or disk involved.
Cons-
Does not remove root system(more regrowth)
Cannot be disked or dragged for food plots or planting
Cannot be sprigged
Not conducive for construction(roots and mulch will have to be removed for structures)
Not cost efficient for large material
Does not change grade
WARNING!
Not all mulchers are the same, not all mulchers are efficient and not all operators have the
know-how to perform effectively. Will the mulch be too large to decompose in a reasonable
amount of time? Will I be able to mow the area with a lawn mower or tractor? Will I have
damaged trees? Will the area mulched be rough or driveable?
Here are a few guidelines if you are determining which method would fit your property.
If you plan to build a home or a structure in the near future, mulching is not a good fit for you, at
least not in the general location of a structure. However, if you plan to build years down the
road, it could be the right fit if you allow the material to decompose and with the right
maintenance, Your property could be ready in 2-6 yrs depending on the vegetation that was
removed.
If you're planning for more pastures or grazing areas within a year, mechanical clearing would
likely be the best fit. Removal of root systems and grading out the land will allow for planting and
working the soils but would require burning or hauling off site.
If you have sensitive trees, need trails, fence rows cleaned, expand a view, steep grade or
highly erodible soils, mulching would be a better fit.
Either way, D4 Land Services has the right tools for the job. We strive to recommend to our
clients the right methods to accomplish their goals, on time, the right way and with no surprises.
We offer free consultations! Feel free to comment or give us a call if you would like a
recommendation on the best method to fit your project needs. 979-676-1985 Please check out
some of our equipment and our services atwww.d4landservices.com
C Dale Dempsey
D4 Land Services LLC
PO BOX 92
Kurten TX 77862
979-676-1985
www.d4landservices.com