When considering a piece of property for a new purpose or business venture, it is essential to understand the associated costs. Beyond buildings and utilities, you may also need to consider the costs associated with land clearing. The company clearing the land might suggest forestry mulching to help you save some money.
Learn more about how this technique can affect Louisiana land clearing prices.
What Forestry Mulching Entails
Forestry mulching involves chopping brush, trees, and other items while removing them from a piece of property. The team clearing the lot will use a machine to chop the organic material as it works.
The team leaves the mulch on the soil, which provides nutrients and chokes out weeds from returning. The mulch can prevent erosion during the next Louisiana thunderstorm. Without the trees, brush, and plants on the ground, heavy rain can cause significant damage to bare dirt. Mulch helps protect the topsoil.
Other Options for Debris Removal
Beyond forestry mulching, your land clearing company has a few other options for handling the debris created during the process, including:
- Hauling them off-site
- Leaving them where they fell
- Piling them on the property
- Burning the debris
Each of these techniques involves more time and effort than forestry mulching, which increases costs. Depending on your plans for the property, you may require the land clearing company to use a method other than forestry mulching. However, mulching the debris is the best option in many cases.
Costs of Forestry Mulching vs. Hauling Debris During Land Clearing
Forestry mulching in Louisiana typically costs between $500 and $1,500 per acre. The majority of projects will be on the lower end of that cost range.
Meanwhile, land clearing costs range from $500 to $6,000 per acre. Hauling debris, such as large trees, involves significantly more time, machinery, and fuel, resulting in a substantial price difference. If your lot primarily consists of brush, the costs of land clearing and forestry mulching will be similar.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Forestry Mulching?
The cost of forestry mulching per acre in Louisiana can vary significantly due to several factors.
Thickness of Trees and Brush
A property that’s overgrown with large, mature trees will cost more to mulch than a parcel that’s mostly brush and weeds. Large-diameter trees may need special equipment to remove and mulch.
Total Size of the Property
If the land clearing company is only working on a fraction of an acre, the cost per acre will be higher than for a 10-acre lot. The company has fixed rates for hauling equipment to the site, so clearing a smaller piece of land is less cost effective.
Remote Nature of the Property
If the parcel that needs clearing is extremely remote, it might take extra time to move the equipment into place, which increases the cost. Some of the larger equipment may not be able to reach the remote area, which could increase the time required for the work.
However, forestry mulching is an especially economical option in remote areas compared to hauling debris out of these areas.
Will Any Debris Need Hauling?
Some property owners want to mulch the majority of the property. However, they may want rocks and certain trees hauled away. By hauling some debris, the cost will increase compared to mulching everything and moving rocks to a corner of the parcel.
Obtaining a Written Contract
Whether the company will mulch the entire lot or haul away some items, you should request a written contract for the forestry mulching services. A written document indicates that both parties are aware of the intended outcome for the debris. The land clearing company knows what equipment it needs for the work, and you know that the handling of debris will fit your development plans for the property.
This contract should include a detailed cost estimate that spells out the scope of the job. With a written estimate, neither party will have a surprise about the final bill.
Bottomland Tree Service Has the Experience You Can Trust for Forestry Mulching and Land Clearing
When you select Bottomland Tree Service to handle your property clearing and land management services, you benefit from working with an experienced company. We plan carefully for every project, ensuring we can do the job quickly and effectively. From our base of operations in Hammond, LA, we’ll bring all the equipment needed to deliver the exact result you want to see.
We understand that the cost of tree and brush clearing can be challenging for property owners’ budgets. That’s why we offer forestry mulching rates that save you money while providing an environmentally friendly option.
To learn more about whether forestry mulching will work for the project you have in mind, call us today at (225) 251-9130. We offer a free price quote through our website.
