Land Clearing For Agriculture Vs. Construction

Land clearing is an essential site development step for both agriculture and construction projects. The processes are similar for both settings, and typically involves in the following:

Site surveying
Site planning
Land clearing
Grubbing
Grading
Drainage construction

Though the general land clearing process is the same for every type of project, there are additional considerations that the land clearing team must account for, depending on what the land will be used for. For example, agriculture projects require additional soil preparation to ensure it can be used for planting.

The Land Clearing Process for Agriculture Projects

Agricultural land clearing projects typically involve large amounts of land and therefore require extensive machinery and manpower resources. Different land clearing methods may be used to prepare an agricultural property as well. However, in most cases the land clearing process will induce the following for agricultural projects:

A detailed site survey – During a site survey, your land clearing or site prep team will walk the property and assess how to manage the job. During the site survey, the dirt work crew will work with the property owner to determine where machinery will be mobilized, what vegetation will be cleared and where excavation is to occur.
Site planning – Site planning involves drawing up a topographical map of the property that includes work areas, existing vegetation, utility lines and any other potential obstacles. The site plan visualizes what the land clearing project will involve and what the final product will look like. As such, most cities and municipalities will require a site plan before the necessary permits are attainable.
Land clearing – Agricultural land clearing may be executed using one of several methods. Bulldozing is one of the most common options, as it can be done quickly and cost efficiently. However, this method is hard on the soil and may necessitate additional soil preparation. Other agricultural land clearing methods include manual removal – using chainsaws and hand tools – and mulching, which breaks down vegetation and trees using mulching equipment. These land clearing methods are better for crops and planting, but they take longer to manage and may cost more, as a result.
Grubbing – Grubbing is a secondary land clearing process that involves removing vegetation roots, ensuring they do not grow back. Grubbing is an important step for establishing root and weed-free planting areas and is typically done with bulldozers and extractors to pull or push vegetation out of the ground.
Grading – During the grading process, the property is shaped and sloped using a combination of extractors, bulldozers and grading machines. Grading is managed in multiple passes and helps establish the drainage patterns for agricultural and planting areas.
Drainage construction – The land clearing team will develop the property’s drainage further with additional excavation and trenching. Drainage structure, such as retention/detention ponds or culverts, can improve the property’s drainage efficiency and may help protect high-value crops from flooding.

Agricultural land clearing projects must consider the state of the soil following clearing and some high-quality replacement topsoil will likely be necessary. Other considerations include where land clearing machinery will be kept onsite during the project, and whether specialized land clearing methods may be available – including the use of certain herbicides or grazing livestock.

The Land Clearing Process for Construction Projects

Land clearing methods are similar for construction projects, but as these jobs are usually located in denser population and urban areas, there are additional things to consider. In general, this is what land clearing will entail for construction projects:

Site surveying – Like with agricultural projects, a detailed site survey is important. Site surveying reveals the presence of utility lines, property lines and helps determine whether the proposed build project is feasible. For example, soil samples will be taken during a site survey and analyzed for its stability and load-bearing potential. This information will determine whether the site is feasible to build on.
Site planning – Most areas, including Houston, require land clearing services to secure the relevant permits through the city. To do so, a site plan will be necessary. For construction projects, site planning draws out where proposed structures will go, along with site elevators, property lines, access roads, utility lines, vegetation and other potential factors.
Land clearing – When preparing a site for construction, land clearing includes removing all vegetation and grubbing out the root systems, along with rocks and any existing structures on the property. In dense urban areas, it’s important for a land clearing company to have demolition experience as existing buildings are a common obstacle for construction projects.
Grading – Grading for construction sites means establishing stable building pads and reliable drainage. Like with agricultural land clearing, the process is conducted through cutting and fitting, then several grading passes, culminating in a fine, precise grading pass that imparts the necessary elevations within tolerances.
Drainage construction – Some land clearing services can also install drainage structures on the property, such as curb and gutter systems, catch basins, retention/detention ponds, culverts and trenches. In Houston and in most urban centers along the coast, properly designed and engineered drainage systems are critical to preventing runoff from backing up onto the property.

When clearing land for construction, site access and safe work practices are major priorities, given the likelihood of nearby heavy traffic and adjoining properties. Demolition is also a valuable skill to have in your land clearing service, as property development often involves removing existing structures.

Land Clearing for Agriculture or Construction Should Be Handled by an Experienced Land Clearing Team

Agricultural and construction land clearing each offer their own challenges. For agricultural projects, preserving the soil’s quality is important. For construction projects, a stable, well-draining site is the goal.

In both cases, a reputable land clearing team will ensure the right approach is taken, while considering how the property will be utilized in the future. Professional land clearing companies are well-resourced, knowledgeable in the best land clearing methods and will ensure everything is done in compliance with local site development ordinances.