Started By
Message

Question about the logistics of surveying, clearing, fencing acreage

Posted on 6/26/20 at 12:18 am
Posted by TigrrrDad
Member since Oct 2016
7153 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 12:18 am
I'm trying to put this all together in my head while we're in the early stages of buying 20+ acres, mostly wooded (so I haven't talked to any of the guys who will be doing the work yet). The land had a recent survey, but the only markers to my knowledge (according to the plat map) are at all of the corners, some of which are over 1,000 ft. apart (and the property shape is irregular - not a perfect square or rectangle). So obviously the guys clearing the land need to know the boundaries. Is there a type of survey where they will put markers every 100 ft. or so, and how do they do this if the land is heavily wooded? How much would this type of survey cost on that size property? Once it's cleared, obviously the fencing guys will be able to follow the markers for the fencing (since they'll be readily visible), but the boundaries need to be pretty precise for the land clearing first. Seems like this would be a nearly impossible task on 20 or so heavily wooded acres.

As far as land clearing, a friend recommended a very reasonably priced guy who did forestry mulching on his acreage. Anyone went the mulching route on their land? Any major cons to mulching as opposed to hauling/burning everything? I plan on leaving some of the bigger trees, but fairly sparse since my kid and grandkids will eventually be riding dirt bikes or whatever on the land occasionally. And the mulch, once tilled into the red mud, should make for much better riding dirt. Will keep a few acres wooded for sure though.
Posted by Batman Chalupa
Member since Feb 2020
387 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 1:11 am to
$5500-7,500
Posted by 257WBY
Member since Feb 2014
5714 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 6:08 am to
Real good chance there is a difference in the habitat on the boundary that will tell you where the line is. That’s not a legal description, but won’t be hard to see.
Posted by Tigerpaw123
Louisiana
Member since Mar 2007
17305 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 6:52 am to
If you have the corners marked you can do it yourself, put a t post on each found corner, clear a line of sight between that and the next one and run a string

Mulching is expensive, about $150/ hour, and depending on vegetation can be several hours per acre, then you still have the mess of the mulched by product, you said you wanted to till that back into the soil, ???, you will need a hell of a tiller, I would get an estimate from someone with a dozer and track hoe
Posted by gsm1060
Tree stand
Member since Dec 2009
683 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 7:31 am to
Hire a good local reputable surveyor to do this please. This is not a great DIY project. If you mistakenly clear and fence some of your neighbors property it could cost you thousands of dollars to resolve. The surveyor can coordinate with the forestry mulcher to make sure these lines are accurate and legal.
Posted by go_tigres
Member since Sep 2013
5177 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 8:00 am to
If it’s highly irregular shape I’d recommend getting a surveyor out there to avoid any issues with neighboring owners.
Posted by Houston Texas Tiger
Houston
Member since Jul 2004
1418 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 8:41 am to
Typically in cases like this the surveyor works with the clearing contractor and surveys just ahead of the dozer doing the clearing. They will use GPS and keep the alignment and set preliminary stakes for the clearing then set lathes and property corners with rods behind the dozer following it as its cleared. I wouldn't just have the surveyor set stakes. They get run over and you typically don't ultimately know if they've been moved or if the boundary is correct.

Costs very greatly based on location and tree size. Is burning allowed or is it hauled off?

Boundary survey costs will vary based on lot configuration. Rectangle I would expect boundary in the $2500 range. Could go up from there.

Mulching is fine but it will only get trees less than 4". Typically will do that if there is thick underbrush only.
Posted by civiltiger07
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2011
14062 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 8:46 am to
Where are you located?
Posted by White Bear
Yonnygo
Member since Jul 2014
14177 posts
Posted on 6/27/20 at 8:04 am to
If the corners are marked, there is a slim chance the lines between were cleared or possibly flagged. Doubtful but a chance. Either way, marking/flagging the lines between the corners can be done with a handheld compass and bearing info from your survey plat.
This post was edited on 6/27/20 at 8:06 am
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram