Prescribed Burn Preparation

Before: An effective controlled burn is difficult and dangerous due to large diameter undergrowth, a high fuel load, and ladder fuels. This area has low plant diversity and preferred forage. (Elgin)












After: Ladder fuels are reduced and mulching of larger yaupons and cedars will make prescribed burns more effective and safe. The trail, curving to the right from the foreground, will be used as a firebreak. Due to low soil compression, the trees in the middle are not significantly threatened by the work.

Trails and Firebreaks

Before:Heavy undergrowth on a property near Bastrop restricts movement for people and animals. Dense undergrowth is comprised mostly of yaupon and green briar in bottomland hardwoods.

After: The mulched surface allows unimpeded walking. There is minimal soil compression and disturbance, so adjacent trees are not threatened. We can process down to two inches below the surface for building firebreaks.

Development

Before: Thick undergrowth prevents a broad perspective of the property, inhibiting comprehensive planning with full knowledge of sight lines and valuable trees. Due to high competition for scarce resources, preferred trees such as live oaks are stunted and unable to reach their potential size and value. (Southeast of Austin-Bergstrom Airport)






After: The natural layout of the land is clear, providing more information for site planning. This east Austin property is being managed for future development and remaining trees have more resources available to grow faster, larger, and more valuable.

Mulch Details

One hour later: Mulch from using the forestry mower on several ashe juniper (cedar) trees. Note the quarter for used for scale. (Southeast of Austin-Bergstrom Airport)










One year later: The mulching forestry mower was used on the left side of the photo. The right side was saved for wildlife shelter and bird habitat. There has not been a prescribed burn on this property. (Within 50 yards of the photo above)