Mulching: Land Clearing for a Sustainable Future

Historically speaking, land clearing used to be synonymous with anything but sustainability and environmentally friendly. Bulldozers would come in and tear up the ground while killing anything and everything in their path burning fuel like crazy. The trees and brush would be hauled off or burned on site while the soil was left to erode. It was an environmental nightmare.

WeMulch seeks to eliminate that stigma when it comes to land clearing. By connecting land clearing opportunities with professional forestry mulchers and machines, creating and sustaining an environmentally friendly impact is easier than ever before, given the technology the professionals have at hand today.

10 Ways Mulching is Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly

While mulching is still a form of land clearing, it has come a long way from the land clearing of the past. With consideration toward the environment, mulching is both sustainable and environmentally friendly by:

1. Using Less Machinery: With the need to actively pull up and remove every bush and tree eliminated, the machinery required for land clearing has evolved for the good. Mulching machines require significantly fewer parts and weight as well as utilizes less fuel and power. This means that fewer resources are used for your land clearing project, and less damage is being done to the terrain.

2. Reusing: The weeds, bushes, and trees that are removed through mulching are not pulled off the property and destroyed as they once were. With mulching, the organic material is left on site to be reused by the earth or the property developer for whatever their needs may be. This prevents the need to haul in similar materials that may be needed to complete the project.

3. Eliminating Waste: Similar to reusing materials, forestry mulching also reduces or eliminates much of the organic waste altogether. Every bush and tree is repurposed back into the landscape so that there is almost zero waste. Of course, some waste does still occur with weeds and other plants that may be unwanted, but that is a far cry from the original option of removing and destroying everything on site. Projects no longer need to completely destroy everything during the pre-construction process.

4. Prevents Erosion: Old-style land clearing used to use bulldozers, tractors, and a world of other heavy machinery. This would leave the land mangled and destroyed When any semblance of weather came through, whether that be wind or rain, the earth was quickly eroded, taking the dirt and dust anywhere and everywhere. This was a significant hazard for site safety as well as wherever the eroded material went. With mulching, the surface remains largely unimpacted, and the mulched material holds in the land beneath it. The reduces or prevents unwanted erosion.

5. Less Compaction: Since there is less compaction, the earth and soil are able to absorb and retain water from the rain. Compaction, caused by heavy machinery when cleared the old fashion way, would prevent water from piercing the surface, leading to plants and vegetation to die out completely. This was problematic because some developers wanted to retain some trees and vegetation for aesthetic or conservation purposes. Mulching machinery is lighter and doesn’t cause the same compaction.

6. Remaining Trees Flourish: With mulching being a practice that often involves leaving some trees and plant life while taking others, the remaining plants are better nourished and tend to have an easier time flourishing. This is due to less water being absorbed by the surrounding plants that were removed. Those that remain can soak up more water and more of the soil’s nutrients, allowing for stronger roots and stronger stems.

7. Minimize Soil Run-Off: Just like the reduced erosion, the soil run-off is also reduced. This is relevant as its own point because the reduced and minimized soil run-off means that there are more nutrients for the vegetation to absorb so that they thrive. Previously, through erosion, the soil would be displaced, causing the desired remaining vegetation to die. This was problematic as it led to more erosion and a greater need for more land clearing services.

8. Nourishes Landscape: The remaining mulched vegetation works as food for the earth it covers. As it decomposes and is soaked into the soil, the earth and remaining vegetation are able to feed off it. The plant-life circle of life creates more opportunities for the remaining vegetation to remain strong and grow by utilizing the waste from the mulched vegetation.

9. Weed Growth Deterrent: Weeds are any unwanted vegetation that often mars the landscape and prevents developers from building the structures they want. Chemically treating the land with humane herbicides and or laying down weed-blocking cloths will prevent these weeds from returning. Then, placing the mulch over the original weeded area all but guarantees that the weeds will not return to muck about the surrounding areas again. 

10. Less Burning: Traditional land clearing often included the use of fire and burning to get rid of the old vegetation and unwanted growth. This prevents any of the material from being reused and lets off toxins into the air, further contributing to a larger carbon footprint. With mulching being the major practice now, burning is largely unnecessary in most cases, and the remaining mulched vegetation is reused and disbursed among the property. Burning is no longer necessary for most projects.

These are just 10 ways that land clearing and forestry mulching has become the best way to build while being environmentally friendly and reducing your carbon footprint.

Consider Mulching for Your Next Land Clearing Project 

If you are someone that is concerned with the state of the environment and would like to remain as green as possible during your next construction project, consider forestry mulching. Mulching is the best way to reduce waste, keep the soil healthy, and prevent toxins from going into the air by burning.

WeMulch.com has dedicated their company to ensuring that end users are able to connect with land clearing professionals that put an emphasis on environmentally friendly methods. The goal is to ensure sustainability for your property and community through reusing the natural resources rather than removing and destroying them. Forestry mulching is the WeMulch.com choice for sustainable land clearing.

Use WeMulch.com to get connected with a land clearing and forestry professional before starting your next land clearing project. Your land will be the healthiest it has ever been while also being completely environmentally friendly. Remaining green is the way to go. Consider your carbon footprint with your next construction project.