Vermilion River · 5 Acres Reclaimed

The work

This was a seven and a half acre tract along the Vermilion River, roughly 98 percent overgrown hardwoods tangled with heavy vegetation and a run of very large deadfall oaks. The owner came to us with a simple ask: cut four-wheeler trails through the property that followed the natural drainage bayou running back toward the river.

We ran the ASV RT-135F forestry mulcher with its Fecon head. Once the first trails opened up and the big, beautiful oaks started showing through, the owner wanted more. After a short conversation we agreed on a plan: clear enough to let natural sunlight reach the ground while leaving a healthy stand of smaller oaks in place, for a semi-shaded, park-style look instead of a bare cut. Five acres came down to clean ground over 5.4 days on site.

What was a wall of brush is now a reclaimed riverfront the owner can actually use. He already has plans for it, including a possible small cabin on the shore next to his homestead. Hidden beauty, revealed and put back to work.