Now that global warming is on every one’s mind the benefits of mulching is starting to be seen.
With soil erosion high on the list of concerns using mulchers has the following benefits:
- Leaving a mat like finish over the top of the soil stops erosion while grasses have a chance to grow.
- With little soil disturbance and by leaving the stumps in the ground this helps in stabilising the soil.
- There is no need to bring in mulch which could have contaminates in it.
- Cutting down on weed growth.
- Placing natural nutrients back into the ground.
- Eradicating 80% of regrowth allowing you to manage areas easier.
- Ideal for environmentally sensitive area e.g. water catchments.
APPLICATIONS
The applications that can be achieved by a broad acre mulcher are quite broad.
SUBDIVISIONS
In doing subdivisions it is important to remove all stumps so earth works can proceed. This can be done in a couple of ways.
- By using an excavator to pluck large trees so the root ball can be mulched at the same time.
- Mulching the entire area and then use a bulldozer or something equivalent with rippers to rip up stumps into windrows so that it can then be mulched .
The first method is better in that the mulch is not disturbed until work begin. Also it will cut down on the need for silt barriers as only the areas were work is being done will be uncovered. The areas were mulch has to be removed can be done by a scrapper and stock piled later for landscaping.
FIRE BREAKS
Fire Breaks are an important part of asset protection. By clearing you make it easier to maintain and to gain access for fire vehicles. In mulching for fire breaks some benefits are:
- Minimise staking of tyres on vehicles.
- Reduction of fuel loads.
- Ease of access.
- No soil erosion so tracks stay in good condition.
SELECTIVE CLEARING
Selective clearing can also be used as a form of fire break. If you don’t want to clear a path but want to keep it looking natural then selective clearing is for you.
By reducing the under growth you also reduce your fuel loads thus leaving the chances of a fire getting out of control.
These are but a few of the more common applications that broad acre mulchers have to offer. Some others are:
- Access tracks
- Clearing for pipelines
- Clear for powerlines
- Mulching windrows
- Noxious woody weed eradication
- Road side maintenance
- Forestry work
|
