Cedar Clearing

Cedar Clearing

The single most important improvement that has occurred on the 10xXx Ranch is Cedar control. In 1998, the ranch started clearing certain areas by bulldozing cedar trees. This method worked, however bulldozing disrupted and scarred the surface of the land plus it created huge piles of brush and dirt that had to be burned and re-bulldozed. As objectionable as this was, it was the only method available. In 2000, a “cedar mulching” type of machine was developed. The Cedar Mulcher or locally called “Cedar Eater” has been used to clear nearly 3000 acres of cedar infested ranch land. The Cedar Eater instantly mulches the standing cedar trees into a flower bed type mulch which kills the tree and absorbs and holds any moisture from rain. The dormant native grass seeds start sprouting almost immediately and within a year or two a natural carpet of grass covers the whole area. This resulting natural grass is a beneficial food source to livestock and wildlife alike. See Cedar Eater Company… The grass prevents erosion and holds even more water to be absorbed into the land. In recent years Texas has been plagued with massive wildfires. The major culprit of these wildfires is the fuel provided by cedar tree infestation. With cedar control, the fuel for some if not most of these wildfires is eliminated.