With our unique approach, we take care of your land best!
Call our Owner, Len Lankford at (719)-783-4250 or our Project Forester, Rob Bidner at (719)-371-3719 for an appointment and free on-site consultation.
Greenleaf
has been practicing professional forestry in Custer County for over 40 years,
adapting best methods to improve and protect residential forested properties.
Our
approach to fire mitigation is comprehensive and will fulfill common home
insurance requirements. Services can
range from limited planning and tree selection to tree and slash removal
operations. We know trees and forests
and include the following (list below pictures) for high quality results.
Above Left: Pre-treatment stand with thick understory Above Right: Post-treatment stand, thinned and mitigated
Consider the overall Landscape (terrain, slopes,
aspect, wind patterns), Vegetation (over-density, tree health), Access, and Neighboring
lands, following Custer County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP.)
Meet with landowner to walk the property and
determine vegetation and tree hazards and priorities, especially defensible
space zones 1-3 near structures, access roads, and escape routes.
Mark trees to be removed or pruned by our
forester, usually with the landowner who has final approval of our
recommendations (tree by tree). This is
critical to having the best design and overall results.
Aesthetics are very important - and high
priority in choosing trees to retain and prune and how we do all removal
operations. Cutting is done with
chainsaws and stumps are very low to the ground.
Choice of trees to retain is based on safety, tree
health, crown spacing, and creation of some openings.
Pruning is not excessive in order to retain a
natural appearance while improving fire safety.
Slash is usually gathered, loaded, and hauled
away to our large slash disposal site on Rosita Road.
No use of chippers or mechanical masticators
(mulchers) - in order to leave a clean, natural site -- without layers of wood
chips and wood shred that can remain intact on the ground for decades in our
dry climate.
Use low impact tractors for least ground
disturbance where practical, and raking after work if necessary for best
appearance. We also choose access routes for least impact.
Production of wood products is incidental to
tree removal work, and appropriate credits are discounted from project costs
for salvaged material useful at our sawmill - this can reduce costs.
Projects can be designed by yearly priorities to
fit an affordable budget. Usually, fire mitigation areas are extensive and may
take several years to complete in phases.
Charges are based on actual time and expenses
for cost control, best results, and adaptability to your needs. Neighborhood
projects are encouraged and may result in cost savings due to operational
efficiencies.
Above Left: Fire mitigation project in-progress Above Right: Completed project in the Black Forest
