Monday, December 23, 2013

The Main Features Of Forestry Mulching

By Eugenia Dickerson


Forestry mulching is a technique used in land clearing. In this method, a single machine is used to clear, cut and grind vegetation. The machine that is used for this exercise is also referred to as a brushcutter, a mulcher or a masticator. The machine has steel chipper tools that move in rotatory fashion as they shred vegetation. On average, each mulcher can clear up to 15 acres of land per day depending on the nature of terrain and type of vegetation.

This clearing method has a wide range of applications. One of the areas in which it is used is in right-of-way clearance. This is often required for roads, pipelines, highways and other types of utility lines. Mulchers are preferred in such cases because they can remove all standing trees, vegetation and stumps with ease. This ability also makes them a good choice for clearing land that is to be used for creation of commercial and residential projects.

The method is popular among conservationists who use it to preserve riparian habitats and wetlands. Major conservationists known to use the technique include private land owners, government agencies, non-governmental organisations and hunt clubs among others. Clearance helps conserve food, water and shelter for the endangered species of organisms. By clearing invasive vegetation species, new grass and other food sources get room for growth. Access to water is improved as well.

Mulching is also used in managing and preventing wild fires. By reducing the amount of ground cover, the chances of starting and propagating fires is reduced. Materials such as rotten trees, dry leaves and other fuel sources are usually are known to propagate fires once they start. When a fire starts, the process may be undertaken so as to create a fire break and to prevent spread. A clean-up process can also be done using a mulcher so as to control soil erosion after a fire outbreak.

There are a number of benefits that are realised by users of this method. Perhaps the most important of them is the fact that it is a time saving technique. Since the clearing process is done in a single stage, the many steps of conventional methods such as site preparation, felling and cutting of trees are all avoided. Only a single machine is required here and this means that the eventual cost is reduced.

The other major benefit of using mulchers is that they are capable of operating in harsh climatic conditions and in very difficult terrain. This makes them very convenient to use as anytime there is no need to wait for better climatic conditions. In spite of their amazing abilities, these land movers cause very little damage to soil. Everything remains intact. The traditional methods are associated with increased risk of soil erosion.

There are several advantages, albeit few, that have been identified. One of the disadvantages is that the machine can only move vegetation. Rocks and stones require alternative methods and they even cause damage to the grinding teeth. The use of these machines requires that the areas are accessible by road.

Forestry mulching is a technique that is widely preferred for many reasons. One of the biggest strengths is that it very effective as a method of preparing land. The method bears numerous advantages over the conventional methods used for the same. The associated disadvantages are minimal.




About the Author:



No comments: