With our unique approach, we take care of your land best!
For quick response, call Len at 719-429-4404, or fill out our Forest Inspection Request for an appointment and on-site consultation.
Greenleaf has been practicing professional forestry in Custer, Douglas, and El Paso Counties for over 40 years, adapting best methods to improve and protect residential and large forested properties.
We are active partners in your forest management. Our approach to fire mitigation is comprehensive and can fulfill common home insurance requirements. Services can range from limited planning and tree selection to complete tree and slash removal operations.
Above Left: Pre-treatment stand with thick understory Above Right: Post-treatment stand, thinned and mitigated
We know trees and forests and include the following actions for high quality results. Methods may be modified due to forest condition, objectives, and costs.
Consider the overall Landscape (terrain, slopes, aspect, wind patterns), Vegetation (over-density, tree health), Access, and Neighboring lands, following local Community Wildfire Protection Plans (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 openings, and wildlife habitat.
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 near Westcliffe or by Rocky Top Resources (Colorado Springs).
Limited 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 and wood processing facilities - this can reduce costs.
Projects can be designed by yearly priorities to fit an affordable budget. Usually, fire mitigation and forest health areas are extensive and may take several years to complete in phases and take annual monitoring.
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.
The Colorado State Forest Service provides exceptional resources on Wildfire prevention and mitigation on their site. They can be found at this link.
Fire mitigation project in-progress Completed project in the Black Forest
