Landowner guide
Forestry mulching vs traditional land clearing
Both open up land. They do it differently, and the right choice depends on what you want the land to do.
How they differ
| Forestry mulching | Traditional clearing | |
|---|---|---|
| What happens to the brush | Ground up where it stands and left as mulch | Pushed or pulled out, then piled, burned or hauled |
| Roots and stumps | Left in the ground | Typically removed |
| Ground disturbance | Lighter. The mulch layer covers the soil | More. Bare soil is exposed |
| Selective clearing | Easy to leave chosen trees standing | Possible, but harder to control |
| Piles to deal with | None | Brush piles to burn or haul |
Which to pick
- Taking back overgrown woods, lanes, trails and fence lines: mulching is usually the simpler fit.
- Building pads, drainage and driveways: you may need stumps and roots out and the ground shaped. See site prep and dirt work.
- Light growth in open pasture: shredding may be all you need.
Not sure?
Describe the property and what you want it for. At the walkthrough we say which approach fits and which parts, if any, are better handled by another contractor. Call 855-BNB-DIRT.
More guides
A clear next step
Tell us about your property.
Have the town or county and a short description of the work ready. Marcia handles scheduling and Ray can answer questions about the work. Monday to Saturday, 7am to 7pm.