Land Restoration

Trail Building

Consulting

Land Management Services

Fire suppression has resulted in the loss of plant and habitat diversity across much of central Texas. Natural Texas mulches dense undergrowth utilizing efficient and beneficial new mechanical techniques. This service recycles the nutrients into the soil with less soil compression than the average foot print, greatly decreasing the risk of adjacent tree mortality. This is particularly important in areas with post oaks and other species that are highly sensitive to compression. Click here to see images related to land restoration. Another example of land restoration is shown here.

Prescribed Burning vs. Mechanical Removal:
Forestry mulching is by far the most beneficial form of mechanical removal. However, any form of mechanical removal is only one tool of many needed for implementing a land management plan. We have found forestry mulching is particularly beneficial when followed with a prescribed burn and continued prescribed burning on a 5 to 7 year cycle, depending on flora. For areas that have too much undergrowth for a safe or efficient controlled burn, we offer the ideal solution for preparing areas for burn management. Click here to see images related to prescribed burn preparation.

Cedar Removal:
Ashe Juniper, commonly referred to as mountain cedar, is a native species and is beneficial to many species of wildlife, such as the endangered golden cheeked warbler. However, naturally occurring wildfires generally limited cedars, which consume much more water than other native species, to riparian zones and steep hill sides. In the absence of these fires, cedar breaks have formed in many areas because other tree species are unable to compete with cedars for water and there is not enough light penetration for native grasses to grow. Because of cedar contains relatively large amounts of volatile oils, it is not preferred forage for deer and burns rapidly when ignited.

For these reasons, it is important to manage land for cedar. Removing cedar where it would not normally exist or in unnaturally high densities will benefit the native flora and fauna of Texas. There are limitations on what cedars can be removed in accordance to the Endangered Species Act and to protect the golden cheeked warbler.

We can efficiently remove cedar by shredding it on location. For large eastern cedars, we can arrange purchase and harvest of the trees and make sure that large piles of slash are not left behind.

Habitat Management:
We work with landowners to maintain diversity in forest structure and habitat for the benefit of wildlife, including birds.