What Is the Difference Between Land Clearing and Forestry Mulching?

You’ve got some land you want to clear, so where do you start? These days, land clearing and forestry mulching would be your two primary options. Qualified land developers can use either of these approaches, depending on whether they’re planning a specific industrial project, improving aesthetics, or preparing for a landscaping project.

If you’re somewhere near New Smyrna, Florida, you’ll find that local contractors like WR Land Development can use both of these methods for agricultural preparation, construction grounds clearing, and more. Here, the team shares the key differences between land clearing and forestry mulching that can make asking about these services easier.

Land Clearing Defined

As the name implies, land clearing involves completely removing trees, stumps, and other natural obstacles from the site. Of course, land clearers don’t only handle plant matter – these crews use machines to remove stones and heavy rocks so that you can more easily use and shape the land. Consequently, you can get a lot of mileage out of a single land-clearing service, including:

  • Resourcefulness: Post-land clearing, you can use your property for just about anything with few to no restrictions. Build an apartment, shopping complex, or farm; the world is your oyster.
  • No waiting: You can immediately start using your land after service completion. The obstacles will be gone.
  • Cost-effectiveness: If you intend to sell, the land often gains value post-clearing if buyers see that they can use it immediately.

Typically, contractors clear land using heavy machinery, like compact excavators or track loaders. This power removes plants from shoots to roots. Grading is also possible.

Forestry Mulching Defined

What’s the alternative to land clearing? Let’s take a look at the faster approach that uses fewer machines – forestry mulching.

Typically, a forestry-mulching project will bring out one machine for cutting, grinding, and clearing vegetation, which leaves a layer of mulch behind. As the mulch dissolves, it will reintegrate into the soil, returning nutrients to the surrounding environment.

In this service, we don’t focus so much on removing rocks. You can also choose which trees and other foliage you want to keep. Many property owners choose forestry mulching as an eco-friendlier site preparation option because of the following:

  • Erosion protection: Mulching leaves some trees and roots with natural hardscapes like rocks. The soil will be less likely to erode.
  • Also cost-effective: Keeping the land? Don’t want to overspend on clearing? Forestry mulching offers you an out.
  • Time efficient: With less money and equipment, mulching finishes a lot quicker than full-scale land clearing.

Which One Is Better: Forestry Mulching or Land Clearing?

WR Land Development does not believe that one of these services is always superior. Think of the size of your budget and what you want to use the land for. It’s less about which option is better and more about what works best for your particular project.

We May Suggest Land Clearing If:

  • You don’t want anything left on the land, like a mulch layer or light vegetation.
  • You are okay with some ecosystem disruptions and vegetation removal and understand you may require additional grading services to stabilize the soil.
  • You need a clean slate on which to place various residential, commercial, or industrial projects – best for suburban, urban, or farmland planning.
  • You can accommodate a more labor-intensive project, which can take more time and money to complete, but with clean-cut results.

Alternatively, We May Suggest Forestry Mulching If:

  • You want to add nutrients back into the environment and are okay with seeing the mulch layer covering the space.
  • You want to minimize effects on the ecosystem and desire natural regrowth.
  • You aim to improve the aesthetics of modernized natural parks, such as those with biking trails, horseback riding, or hunting grounds, or a wooded area near other properties.
  • You have a tighter budget and less time available for the project.

The Final Land Clearing Decision: What If I Can’t Choose?

It’s completely understandable that you might not be able to choose which of these two processes would work best for you and your property. The professionals can help you look at the space, your resources, and the intentions you have for the cleared land. Experts like WR Land Development will also hire and build teams that include:

  • Environmental consultants
  • Licensed contractors
  • Leading engineers

That means you’ll have someone to take care of the strategy, obtain the necessary permits to complete the job and manage the complicated project for smoother results.

Just Call WR Land Development for Your Clearing and Mulching in Florida

Would you like to chat with experts about site preparation services in and around New Smyrna, Daytona Beach, and Orlando, Florida? From vegetation and stump removal to land leveling and grading services, we minimize the project’s legal risks, eliminate unnecessary expenses, and finish up in the time agreed! So, call WR Land Development at (407) 993-1439 or visit our contact page for land clearing, forestry mulching, and more!

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