Forestry mulching vs bulldozing & burning: which is better for clearing land?

If you’re clearing a block, you’ve got options – and they’re not all equal. Here’s how forestry mulching compares to the old push-and-burn approach.

The old way: bulldoze and burn

Pushing trees over with a dozer and burning the piles is fast and cheap up front, but it tears up the topsoil, leaves big root holes and burn scars, kills the soil biology, and needs burn permits and the right weather. You’re often left with a rough, eroded block that needs more work before it’s usable.

Forestry mulching

A forestry mulcher grinds standing trees, stumps and scrub into mulch on the spot – up to 450mm. The mulch stays on the ground as a protective layer that holds moisture, feeds the soil and slows regrowth. No burning, nothing to cart away, and the ground is left level and ready to use. One machine, one pass.

Which should you choose?

For most blocks – fire breaks, selective clearing, undergrowth, regrowth and environmental blocks – mulching wins on finish, soil health and tidiness. For full clearing-and-grubbing to road or subdivision spec (MRS04), we combine the mulcher with earthmoving gear. Either way, we’ll recommend the right approach for your block.

Sorting out a clearing job around Gympie or the Sunshine Coast? Call James for a free quote.

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