Forestry mulching is a land clearing method that uses a single piece of equipment to grind standing vegetation into a layer of wood mulch that stays on the ground. It is commonly used for brush, undergrowth, and trees up to about 8 inches in diameter.
How It Works
A tracked machine with a rotating mulching head moves across the cleared area, grinding vegetation as it goes. Instead of cutting trees down and hauling them off-site, the material is reduced to mulch in place. The resulting mulch layer covers the soil, breaks down over time, and helps limit erosion and regrowth of the cleared species.
The Equipment We Use
Arbor Pro’s uses a Kubota compact track loader with a Fecon mulching head. It handles trees up to 8 inches in diameter. Trees larger than that are cut down first with chainsaws or the crane, then the stump and any remaining brush are mulched in the same pass. The tracks — as opposed to wheels — allow the machine to work on soft ground and slopes without sinking or tipping.
When Forestry Mulching Is Used
Common applications:
- Clearing overgrown residential or commercial lots
- Property lines, fence lines, and access paths
- Utility and pipeline rights-of-way
- Trail construction and recreational land
- Invasive species removal
- Reducing fuel load for fire prevention
- Preparing land for pasture or agricultural use
Forestry mulching is not appropriate for every job. Heavy hardwood forests, rocky terrain, or situations that require completely bare ground (a building pad, for example) may need conventional clearing plus mulching in combination, or a different method entirely.
How It Compares to Traditional Clearing
Traditional land clearing involves a cutting crew, haul trucks to remove debris, a burn permit or disposal fee, and grading to repair the ground. Forestry mulching combines those steps into one pass with one machine. The trade-off is that the mulch remains on the site — if the plan is to build or plant immediately, that mulch layer has to be worked into the soil or removed separately.
Service Area
Clearfield County, Centre County, Jefferson County, and Elk County, including Curwensville, DuBois, State College, Clearfield, Punxsutawney, Brookville, Ridgway, Bellefonte, Philipsburg, and Lock Haven.
Getting a Quote
Call (814) 553-0303 or fill out the form below. We’ll ask for the approximate size of the area, the type of vegetation, and whether access is an issue. Estimates are free.
Get a Free Estimate
Ready to get started? Fill out the form below for a free, no-obligation estimate. Or call us directly at (814) 553-0303 — we’re available 24/7 for emergencies.
See the specific equipment we use for this service: Fecon Bull Hog forestry mulcher.