— FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Things people ask about working with us. If your question isn't here, send us a note — we'll get back to you within two hours.
— GENERAL
Working with Wildwood
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Yes. Wildwood Eco Solutions, LLC carries general liability and equipment insurance. We can provide a certificate of insurance on request if your project, HOA, or property requires one before work begins.
- How far in advance do we need to book?
- It depends on the season and the size of the job. Smaller projects can sometimes be scheduled within a couple of weeks. Larger jobs, busy seasons, or weather delays can push that out further. The best move is to reach out early — once a quote is approved we can hold a window on the schedule.
- What forms of payment do you accept?
- We accept check, ACH, and most major credit cards. Payment terms are confirmed before the job starts and outlined in the written quote so there are no surprises at the end.
- Do you require a deposit?
- For most jobs, yes. The deposit holds the spot on the schedule and covers initial mobilization. The amount and timing are confirmed with the quote — it is not a guessing game.
- Do you charge for the site visit or estimate?
- Site visits and written quotes are free within our standard service area. For projects further out, travel may factor into the quote. We will let you know up front if that is the case rather than tacking it on later.
- What happens if the scope changes once you are on-site?
- Scope changes happen — hidden wire turns up, a wet spot needs to be avoided, or the goal shifts mid-job. When that happens we stop, walk through it with you, and update the scope and price together before moving on. No "while we were out there" surprises on the invoice.
— FORESTRY MULCHING
Forestry mulching
- How is forestry mulching different from clearing with a bulldozer?
- Forestry mulching grinds vegetation in place and leaves the mulch on the ground. A bulldozer typically pushes trees, stumps, soil, and debris into piles, which can disturb more ground and usually requires additional cleanup, burning, hauling, or grading. Mulching is often cleaner and less disruptive when the goal is to reclaim land rather than completely excavate it.
- Does forestry mulching kill the roots, or does it grow back?
- Forestry mulching removes the above-ground vegetation, but it does not usually remove the root system. Some vegetation can grow back over time, especially fast-growing species, vines, and invasive brush. The mulch layer can help slow regrowth, but long-term control may require mowing, spraying, follow-up cutting, or periodic maintenance.
- How long does a one-acre forestry mulching job take?
- A lightly overgrown acre may be completed in less than a day, while a thick acre with saplings, vines, briars, fallen trees, wet areas, or difficult access can take much longer. Density matters more than acreage. One acre of light brush and one acre of tangled mess are not the same animal.
- Can you mulch around standing trees we want to keep?
- Yes, in many cases we can selectively mulch around trees you want to keep. Before starting, we’ll identify the areas and trees that should be preserved. Keep in mind that low limbs, tight spacing, slopes, and root flare areas can limit how close equipment can safely work around a tree.
- What happens to the mulch? Do you haul it off?
- The mulch is typically left on site as a natural ground cover. That is one of the main benefits of forestry mulching. It reduces haul-off, helps protect the soil, and gives the cleared area a more finished look. If you need debris hauled away, that is usually a separate service and should be discussed before the job is priced.
— LAND CLEARING
Land clearing
- What is the difference between land clearing and forestry mulching?
- Forestry mulching is one method of land clearing. It uses a mulching head to grind brush, saplings, vines, and small trees in place, leaving the mulch on the ground. Land clearing is a broader term that may include mulching, cutting, pushing, piling, hauling, grading, or other work depending on the project.
- Do you remove stumps when clearing land?
- Forestry mulching typically cuts vegetation near ground level but does not fully remove the root system or grub out stumps. If you need stumps removed below grade, that is a different scope and may require stump grinding, excavation, or additional equipment.
- Can you clear land without removing all the trees?
- Yes. Many land clearing jobs are selective. We can often clear brush, saplings, vines, and smaller growth while leaving mature trees in place. Before work starts, we’ll talk through what should stay, what should go, and any areas that need to be avoided.
- Do you haul away the debris?
- Not usually as part of standard forestry mulching or basic clearing. Mulched material is typically left on site as natural ground cover. Larger debris may be pushed, consolidated, or left in designated areas depending on the scope. Hauling, disposal, burning, or pile removal should be discussed separately before pricing.
- How long does a land clearing job take?
- It depends on acreage, density, access, tree size, ground conditions, and cleanup expectations. Some small jobs can be finished in a few hours or a day. Larger or thicker projects may take several days. A site visit helps us give a realistic timeline instead of throwing out a wild guess and hoping the briars cooperate.
— LOT CLEARING
Lot clearing
- What is the difference between lot clearing and forestry mulching?
- Forestry mulching usually means grinding brush, saplings, vines, and small trees in place and leaving the mulch on the ground. Lot clearing can be more involved. It may include mulching, cutting, stump removal, grubbing, raking, smoothing, debris cleanup, seeding, and strawing depending on the finished result you want.
- Can you clear a lot so it can be mowed?
- In many cases, yes. But getting a lot ready to mow usually takes more than basic mulching. Stumps, roots, rough debris, ruts, and uneven ground may need to be addressed. Depending on the condition of the lot, that may involve stump grinding, grubbing, raking, power raking, smoothing, seed, and straw.
- Do you remove stumps during lot clearing?
- Stump removal depends on the scope. Basic forestry mulching does not fully remove stumps or roots. For lot clearing, stumps may need to be ground, grubbed, or removed below grade if the goal is a smoother, more finished area. We’ll discuss that during the site visit so the quote matches the result you expect.
- Do you haul away debris from a cleared lot?
- Debris hauling is not always included. On some jobs, material can be mulched in place or consolidated into piles. On other jobs, the customer may want debris hauled off for a cleaner finished product. Hauling and disposal add time and cost, so they need to be included in the scope up front.
- Can you seed and straw after clearing?
- Yes, seed and straw can be included when the work leaves bare or disturbed soil. It is often a good idea when the lot needs to be stabilized, cleaned up, or prepared for future maintenance. Seed and straw are especially helpful if the lot will be left open and exposed after clearing.
— FENCE LINE CLEARING
Fence line clearing
- Can you clear along an old fence without removing the fence?
- In many cases, yes. If the fence is visible and there is enough room to work safely, we can often clear vegetation along the fence while leaving the fence in place. However, old wire, loose fencing, leaning posts, and hidden metal can limit how close the machine can work.
- Do you remove old fence wire and posts?
- Fence removal is not automatically included with fence line clearing. Removing wire, pulling posts, rolling up fencing, and hauling material away is a separate scope. If you need old fence removed, let us know before the quote so we can include it properly.
- How wide should a cleared fence line be?
- It depends on what you need the corridor for. A walking and inspection path may only need a narrow cleared area. Fence installation, equipment access, mowing, or long-term maintenance may require a wider corridor. During the site visit, we can talk through the width that makes the most sense.
- Can you clear a new fence route through woods or brush?
- Yes, if the route is marked and equipment can safely access it. For a new fence line, it is best to have the route staked, flagged, or clearly identified before work starts. If the route follows a property boundary, the boundary should be verified by survey or existing markers.
- Can you clear right up to the property line?
- We can clear as close as practical when the property line is clearly marked and conditions allow. If the line is not marked, we can use mapping tools for general guidance, but we cannot guarantee exact boundary clearing. Wet areas, ditches, slopes, trees, and access limitations may also keep equipment from reaching every foot of the line.
— TRAIL CUTTING
Trail cutting
- How wide should a trail be?
- It depends on how you plan to use it. A walking trail may only need a few feet of width. ATV and side-by-side trails commonly need more room, especially around turns. Equipment access, maintenance trails, and perimeter paths may need to be wider. During a site visit, we can talk through the right width based on your use.
- Can I use the forestry mulching calculator for trail cutting?
- Yes, for a rough starting point. If you know the approximate trail width and length, multiply them together to get square feet, then divide by 43,560 to estimate acres. That can help you use the calculator for basic mulched trails. Just keep in mind that trail layout, curves, terrain, wet areas, and site conditions can change the final price.
- Can you cut ATV or side-by-side trails?
- Yes. ATV and side-by-side trails are a common fit for forestry mulching and trail cutting. We’ll want to know the approximate vehicle width, how much clearance you want, and whether the trail needs tight turns, loops, access to stands, or connections to existing paths.
- Do you remove stumps from trails?
- Basic trail cutting and forestry mulching typically cut vegetation near ground level but do not fully remove stumps or root systems. For many natural trails, that may be fine. If you need a smoother trail with stumps removed or ground below grade, that should be discussed as a separate scope.
- Can you follow a trail route that I mark ahead of time?
- Yes, and that is usually helpful. Flagging the route ahead of time can save time and make sure the trail goes where you want it. If the route crosses wet areas, steep slopes, ditches, or tight sections, we may recommend adjustments in the field.
- Can you make curved trails instead of straight paths?
- Yes. In many cases, curved trails look better, feel more natural, and work better for hunting, recreation, and property access. Curves and bends can also help avoid large trees, wet areas, steep slopes, and other obstacles. They may take more time than a straight path, but they often make for a better finished trail.