This article is more interested in what goes on after forestry mulching.
During forestry mulching, the objective is to clear the area of unwanted vegetation like bushes, grass, and trees using specialized equipment.
This eco-friendly strategy is beneficial to the environment as it causes zero disruption to topsoil or root systems.
Here, nothing needs to be hauled off as every bit of vegetation is mulched. For this procedure to be effective, the preparatory phase, mulching, and post-mulching stages must be performed effectively.
Applicability of Forestry Mulching
Before we get into details on the aftermath of the procedure, it will be necessary to consider the applicability of forestry mulching. In other words, who uses forestry mulching, or who is it for?
This land clearing technique has a wide range of applicability, including field & pasture reclamation.
Forestry mulching is also needed in commercial & business properties and government land. Another aspect of this is the use of forestry mulching.
On government land, forestry mulching is done for various uses, including wildfire prevention and vegetation management.
Other uses of forestry mulching on government land include clearing & maintenance of road overgrowths, storm damage & disaster cleanup, as well as recreational field clearing.
For commercial & business properties, forestry mulching is used for site preparation & lot clearing.
More applications of forestry mulching on commercial properties include commercial property maintenance, right-of-way clearing, and clearing & maintenance of retention ponds.
When land & farm owners use forestry mulching, it’s usually for pond clearing & maintenance, as well as field & pasture reclamation.
More uses of forestry mulching by land & farm owners include commercial & business properties, trail & road overgrowth clearing, field & pasture perimeter clearing, track and road construction, etc.
Things to do Post-Forestry Mulching
After forestry mulching is completed, cleaning up and putting things in order is the right thing to do before leaving. This completes the process and gives you expected outcomes.
To avoid creating a mess, you’ll need to get rid of debris and closely inspect the mulched area for signs of erosion.
Other necessary actions include looking for signs of pests and diseases and protecting nearby water bodies. Also, restoration of soil pH may be required after forestry mulching as acidity levels tend to increase.
Mulch volume matters after forestry mulching.
i. Get Rid of Debris
A successful mulching job will require getting rid of debris from the area.
Sometimes, there’s no need for that as vegetation is thoroughly mulched. In some situations, getting rid of debris becomes necessary. Such waste includes branches, leaves, tree stumps, etc.
Here, debris must be removed to clear the area, thus making it more accessible and eliminating injury hazards. More importantly, debris removal helps improve the landscape making the land much easier to work on.
This is especially true for site preparation & lot clearing purposes.
ii. Closely Inspect for Signs of Erosion
During forestry mulching, the environment may be affected if the job isn’t well executed.
In other words, the soil structure may be destabilized, thus leading to problems like erosion. This is one of the reasons why it’s essential to closely inspect for signs of decay.
This might not be immediately evident. Symptoms may begin to be observed after a few days or a week. When erosion is observed, it’s best to move swiftly to adopt soil stabilization techniques.
Part of it includes having an even covering of mulch over the soil.
iii. Monitoring for Pests and Diseases
Pest and diseases can become a thing after forestry mulching is completed. Nearby standing trees can be observed for common symptoms of diseases.
While this is necessary, not everyone knows what to look out for. In such a situation, it’s best to call the pros. Arborists are trained for all of that and more.
Watering the mulched area is essential as it helps keep the soil healthy and promote new growth. This shouldn’t be overlooked. By must be done after completing the forestry mulching process.
Ask a professional for guidance on how to go about the process.
iv. Protecting Nearby Water Bodies
The condition of nearby water bodies matters. If your property is located close to any, utmost caution must be exercised to ensure mulched materials don’t end up washed into streams and rivers.
The best way to do that is by removing all debris lying around the mulched area.
This is similar to debris clearance discussed earlier, only that it’s meant to prevent mulch from being washed into these water bodies. This shouldn’t be a problem if a professional is hired for the mulching process.
They take care of the area and may provide helpful tips to keep nearby water bodies safe.
v. Consider Balancing Soil pH
Whenever mulching is performed, one thing is sure; an increase in soil acidity.
This causes an imbalance in soil pH, which needs to be rectified. Thankfully the process isn’t complex at all. The pH needs to be brought back up within an acceptable range for plants to thrive around mulched areas.
This is achieved by applying lime. Such treatment isn’t immediate but takes time as mulch rots away. For more comprehensive soil pH restoration or balancing, the help of a professional will be needed.
This ensures you won’t have unsuitable soil.
vi. Inspect Mulch Volume
During forestry mulching, it’s important to consider tree sizes. Lots having more enormous trees of around 20” to 24” in length will produce lots of mulch.
The mulch covering the ground must be evenly spread, not more than 8” to 12.”
Your purpose for forestry mulching will determine the volume of mulch you can tolerate. A mulch volume of 8” to 12” is excellent for preventing re-growth. However, the same cannot be said for planting.
In other words, less much is needed for growing or planting trees.
These actions are necessary after forestry mulching. Carefully implementing these enhance the results you get. In other words, your objectives are fully achieved. The easiest way out is to have a pro perform the procedure.
This saves you from a lot of errors.