Land clearing is an essential aspect of preparing a specific area for both urban and agricultural development. Without it, it would be early impossible to construct buildings and homes safely on level ground and farms would have much less space to grow crops and raise livestock.
Despite its importance, previous methods of land clearing have proven to be harmful to the environment because it disrupts the ecosystems of species living in it. However, if practiced responsibly, land clearing has several environmental advantages, which you can read in our article about the benefits of land clearing.
If you own a property that needs clearing but are curious about eco-friendly land clearing techniques, here are some ways you can be environmentally conscientious and still get the job done.
Despite its importance, previous methods of land clearing have proven to be harmful to the environment because it disrupts the ecosystems of species living in it. However, if practiced responsibly, land clearing has several environmental advantages, which you can read in our article about the benefits of land clearing.
If you own a property that needs clearing but are curious about eco-friendly land clearing techniques, here are some ways you can be environmentally conscientious and still get the job done.
Underbrush clearing
This method of land clearing is less intense and works well for small areas with few trees and stumps. Instead of stripping the land to the soil, the brush is all that is removed.
Underbrush clearing typically uses mowers and hydro-axing. Mowing is efficient for areas that have many weeds, and hydro-axing quickly clears thick growth. Both of these methods help provide plenty of mulch for the topsoil and does little to disturb the surrounding plant and animal life. |
Forest mulching
Forest mulching is one of the best ways to put much-needed nutrients back into the soil during land clearing while being able to handle an area of any size. Mulchers don’t cause lasting damage to the ground. It is a better alternative to bulldozing, which has longer-lasting effects on the terrain.
The damage caused by some land clearing methods like bulldozing makes it difficult for the ecosystems around the house to return to their previous state. Using a mulcher helps keep the soil fertile by replenishing it with composted plants.
Forest mulchers work by chopping trees, stumps, and other extensive vegetation into mulch and spreading it over the area. This saves time and money in cleanup and also protects the ground from erosion, which strips away the topsoil and makes it difficult for plants to grow.
Other methods of land clearing, such as slash and burn or clear-cutting, are some of the leading causes of widespread deforestation and release large amounts of carbon emissions in the air. By distributing the plant matter back to the area it came from, it can actually serve to benefit existing trees and vegetation.
Mulching helps protect trees that property owners want to keep by protecting feeder roots from exposure, unlike other methods where they can be dug up, leaving the tree unable to absorb nutrients.
Mulching isn’t just for forests and large swaths of land, however. It can also be practical for residential development as well. This technique helps protect nearby wildlife like deer, birds, and bees by clearing invasive or unnecessary vegetation while also preserving natural sources of water.
Since this technique uses a single machine, and the mulch acts as a guard against other vehicle traffic, diminishing soil deterioration and compression. The use of just one tool to cut, haul, and clean is one reason why forest mulching is growing in popularity among land clearing companies and developers alike thanks to its cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
The damage caused by some land clearing methods like bulldozing makes it difficult for the ecosystems around the house to return to their previous state. Using a mulcher helps keep the soil fertile by replenishing it with composted plants.
Forest mulchers work by chopping trees, stumps, and other extensive vegetation into mulch and spreading it over the area. This saves time and money in cleanup and also protects the ground from erosion, which strips away the topsoil and makes it difficult for plants to grow.
Other methods of land clearing, such as slash and burn or clear-cutting, are some of the leading causes of widespread deforestation and release large amounts of carbon emissions in the air. By distributing the plant matter back to the area it came from, it can actually serve to benefit existing trees and vegetation.
Mulching helps protect trees that property owners want to keep by protecting feeder roots from exposure, unlike other methods where they can be dug up, leaving the tree unable to absorb nutrients.
Mulching isn’t just for forests and large swaths of land, however. It can also be practical for residential development as well. This technique helps protect nearby wildlife like deer, birds, and bees by clearing invasive or unnecessary vegetation while also preserving natural sources of water.
Since this technique uses a single machine, and the mulch acts as a guard against other vehicle traffic, diminishing soil deterioration and compression. The use of just one tool to cut, haul, and clean is one reason why forest mulching is growing in popularity among land clearing companies and developers alike thanks to its cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
Other Eco-friendly Land Clearing Methods
While forest mulching is currently one of the best environmentally conscious techniques for land clearing, and many companies offer this service, some may not. When thinking about how you would like to have your land cleared, consider manual removal instead of using heavy equipment and machinery.
Additionally, if you are clearing a large area of land and need to burn fallen trees and other brush, try to do it in the area it was felled so that any remaining nutrients can return to the ground, rather than hauling it off-site. |
If your particular piece of land can’t be cleared without using machinery, check if you can use front-mounted shear blades instead of tree crushers and other tools that can disrupt the soil. Also, avoid using root rakes, as these can damage root systems to trees that you may not have intended to cut down in the first place.
As more people become aware of the damage, some traditional land clearing techniques can cause, companies are developing new methods to meet the demand.
Land clearing is often unavoidable, whether it is in urban or rural areas. However, that doesn’t mean it is a necessary evil. Provided it is done responsibly, land clearing can benefit both you and the species that live in the area.
As more people become aware of the damage, some traditional land clearing techniques can cause, companies are developing new methods to meet the demand.
Land clearing is often unavoidable, whether it is in urban or rural areas. However, that doesn’t mean it is a necessary evil. Provided it is done responsibly, land clearing can benefit both you and the species that live in the area.