Mastication & Forestry Mulching

What is Mastication?

Also known as “forestry mulching”, mastication is a method of vegetation management that is generally completed with a skid-steer or excavator machine. A special attachment is able to mulch down smaller trees and brush. This helps to reduce excessive brush and ladder fuels in overgrown forests. On most projects, masticating is more cost-effective than standard hand crews with chippers.

One example of a Masticator, also known as a “Forestry Mulcher”.

One example of a masticator, also known as a “forestry mulcher”.

Benefits of Masticating property:

  • Fuels reduction. Reducing ladder fuels helps to moderate fire behavior and helps reduce risk to structures.

  • Less severe fire behavior can provide an opportunity for first responders to access the fire safely

  • Often the remaining tress are “limbed up” as part of this service, which creates separation of the ground fuels from the tree canopy. This further reduces the risk of a damaging crown fire

  • By reducing unfavorable brush and smaller trees, the remaining trees will enjoy reduced competition for light and water

  • Improved watershed function-more water available to remaining trees and increased runoff. Studies have linked forest thinning to increased water availability.

  • Remaining trees will grow with more vigor and also be more resilient to fire, drought, and beetle outbreaks.

  • Many find that they are able to enjoy their property like they couldn’t before. The resulting “park like setting” allows increased opportunities of viewing wildlife and much easier walking on the property.

Using our Takeuchi TL-12 masticator to clear dense vegetation from a parcel just outside downtown Nevada City. Drone footage courtesy of customer. Thanks Raul!