Having a well-thought-out plan is crucial in land development, especially when it comes to clearing trees on smaller tracts of land. While some contractors may approach the clearing process the same for any sized tract, it's important to recognize that every piece of land is unique. Smaller tracts require a more strategic and tailored approach to ensure efficient and effective tree clearance while minimizing potential challenges and maximizing the land's usability during and after the process. By understanding the specific needs of each tract and implementing a customized plan, we can achieve optimal results and mitigate potential issues that may arise during the clearing process.
Clearing land under five acres using heavy equipment like bulldozers or excavators can present significant challenges, particularly when it comes to processing the trees once they're brought down. This issue arises because there's limited space to handle the fallen trees efficiently. In such situations, the resulting piles of tree debris can be massive and can take a year or more to dry out completely. Any attempt to burn them sooner will result in the smaller dry branches burning away, leaving the bulk of the tree with no fuel for a second burn. Now you are stuck with a massive pile of scorched logs that have zero commercial value that must be disassembled, bucked, split, piled, and dried to burn again. During this time, the land may not be suitable for construction, agriculture, infrastructure installation, or other activities, as the drying process can create massive obstacles and safety hazards. Additionally, the presence of such extensive piles can detract from the aesthetic appeal of the land and may even pose environmental concerns if not managed properly.
Another concern is the potential for uncontrolled fires that can spread rapidly and cause extensive damage to the surrounding area. As air rushes in from all sides, the flames from large burn piles can reach over 100 feet, creating a very strong updraft that sends thousands of embers into the air. These hot embers are blown upwards high above the fire and can travel hundreds of feet, well outside the clearing into the virgin forest, sparking wildfires. This can lead to catastrophic consequences if not properly managed. It's not that this can happen, this will happen, several times in the course of the burn no matter the wind condition. The fire is more than capable of creating plenty of wind all on its own.
It's crucial to be aware of these potential dangers and take appropriate precautions when conducting controlled burns or managing wood debris. Ensuring adequate supervision, maintaining fire breaks, and monitoring weather conditions are essential steps to minimize the risk of wildfires and protect the surrounding environment and communities. Whether you are clearing the land yourself or contracting with a company, it's important to consider the scope of work and the timeline. A 130-class excavator or Cat D4 may be able to clear a few acres in a day for a few thousand dollars. Unfortunately, it could cost as much as $10,000 to actually get rid of the pile so you can build and install the infrastructure or a full year's wait to burn the pile. Even after the burn, you will be left with a large debris pile to deal with, assuming the close proximity to the surrounding treeline does not cause the fire to spread. To address these challenges and ensure efficient land clearing on small tracts, it's crucial to adopt a more strategic approach. One effective solution is to drop one tree at a time during the clearing process. This method allows for better space management and ensures that the resulting tree debris can be processed more effectively. After bringing down a tree, the branches and stump are cut, collected, and placed in a designated pile for controlled burning. This helps in reducing the volume of debris and accelerates the drying process, making the land usable sooner. Additionally, the logs from the cleared trees can be salvaged and sold for lumber or firewood, providing a potential source of revenue from the clearing operation. Our solution if to remove the trees with an excavator, buck the logs into commercially viable products, and mulch the remaining branches and stumps on site with the Super Flow T86, leaving the land ready for construction in a matter of days rather than months or years.
By implementing these practices, landowners can overcome the challenges associated with clearing small tracts of land using heavy equipment. This approach not only minimizes the impact on the land but also maximizes the value of the cleared resources, making the process more sustainable and efficient in the long run. Most importantly, the land is prepared and ready for the next steps forward towards your dream property.