Fecon FTX 90 /Pieces of an ASV 4810 / JD 440b skidder / JD 450b dozer / Bobcat T320 / Hydro Ax 311c
There was a discussion earlier in this thread about how long it would take for grass to grow back where trees had been mulched. I knew I had pictures, but I had to find them. This job was completed in mid May last year. The pictures were taken in September.
Fecon FTX 90 /Pieces of an ASV 4810 / JD 440b skidder / JD 450b dozer / Bobcat T320 / Hydro Ax 311c
The areas where the canopy wasn't opened up very well are a little slower at coming back. You've gotta have sunshine to grow grass.
So it doesn't take long for the grass to come back (4 1/2 months these photos). The areas that were opened up came back quicker than the areas that were left heavy. Your results may vary.
Red, I had a forester tell me that nothing will grow where mulchers have been. I disagreed! I have customers that tell me the same thing.. and opt for chipping. I use my property as an example and explain that it's the mulcher operator that makes the difference. It takes longer when big, coarse shreds are built up so thick that it smothers the ground. When the operator creates a place for the grasses to be protected and the shreds compost and add ground cover, the grasses can come back quicker. You do need sunshine and some rain but mostly, grass seeds are already present and probably dormant. Good mulching creates places for birds and mammals to deposit more seeds as well as a place for runoff to deposit seed.
I reclaimed a caliche pit and keep adding layers of shreds to build the area up. I do it in thin layers so my existing grasses aren't smothered. A few years ago there was nothing there..a moonscape. I now have to mow that area after it goes to seed.
For your fairly light trees have you considered a "hydro axe" or boom mower. We have used them to cut 5-6" limbs and trees in right of way clearing. Ebay item 331141296138 as an example (not sure how to copy the actual page). They are often sold by county, city, and state Road department. It would be slower than a true mulcher, but your probably only in it for $10-15k, and you get a 70-100 hp tractor. There are two styles of mower heads (that I've been around at least); one has a large 36" circular saw blade that doesn't mulch well but cuts nice in some of the bigger material; and a triple bladed hydraulic bush hog that can cut it down and then mulch the pile.
