A forest is a specific place where hardening the road is an absolute necessity. Without it, driving through wet, muddy terrain could prove impossible. How do you build an access road to a forest area?
Excluding forest land from forestry production
As landowners, we should carefully review the local spatial development plan in force for the given area. This way, we protect ourselves from unpleasant problems with developing the property in the manner we want. The procedure for excluding land from forestry production for other purposes—for example, building a single-family or multi-family house—is complicated and, unfortunately, time-consuming. It requires an amendment to the local spatial development plan.
However, if the local spatial development plan for our forest plot allows for development, then when we want to change its intended use—for example, to obtain a building permit—we must apply to the Director of the Regional Directorate of the State Forests for a decision to exclude the land from forestry production.
First of all, we must pay the fees for excluding land from forestry production. In addition, we will also have to pay certain annual charges. If we start clearing too early, we may be required to pay a one-time compensation. It is worth noting that the obligation to pay the amounts, annual charges, and one-time compensation does not apply to excluding forest land that we want to allocate for residential construction purposes—provided that the excluded land area is up to a maximum of 500 m2 in the case of a single-family building, and in the case of a multi-family building—200 m2 per each residential unit.
How to prepare for tree felling on your property?
Where should you start when preparing to fell trees in the forest? Remember to plan all activities properly—ideally step by step. This will help you avoid sudden, unexpected situations and problems during tree felling. First, you need specialized equipment adapted to the type of trees being felled. The vehicles and machines themselves are not everything we will need. It is also crucial to prepare an access road to the area where the felling will take place.
The process should be coordinated by a specialist, which will give us confidence in both safety and work efficiency. What else should you remember? During felling, you must determine the direction of fall of each tree, taking into account its structure and the current wind gusts. The area where the tree is expected to fall must be cleared so that it does not threaten other plants, structures, or people. The cutting technique we choose is also important—it should be selected depending on the trunk size, the terrain, and the use of a chainsaw. If we have specialized equipment, a well-hardened access road, and a felling plan, only then can we begin the work.
Access roads and ground hardening for the time of forest felling—how to prepare the road?
Forest roads are usually not hardened in any way. Because of that, their technical condition is often very poor. It is worth remembering that a well-hardened road is the key to success in the work being carried out. Thanks to it, we can easily reach the felling site and also transport the timber out of it. How do you prepare the ground for felling? The solution is temporary roads made using various materials. The choice of method depends on the budget we have and the needs. What materials can we choose?
Composite boards
Are you looking for a modern material that will not let you down? Pay attention to innovative composite boards. These materials stand out for their surprisingly high resistance to loads, while also being extremely flexible. Special composite mats can be easily connected to one another, creating a stable and durable forest road. Let’s add that they are also lightweight while maintaining properties similar to concrete slabs.
Reinforced concrete slabs
In the construction industry, reinforced concrete slabs are also in high demand. They will certainly perform well as raw materials for building temporary roads. They can be used by heavy and large machines without worrying about damaging the surface. By using them to create a road, we get a durable access route to the forest plot that is not afraid of weather conditions. They ensure smooth and efficient vehicle movement.
Aluminum boards
They work very well for temporary roads in forest areas. They offer not only long service life but also the desired stability.
Wooden boards
Wooden boards are an ideal option for natural, forest-like spaces. They are characterized by high workmanship aesthetics. They allow you to create a level, efficient surface. They are not expensive, but before laying them, it is worth preparing the subbase properly.
An investor planning a forest felling must ensure good access to the plot. That’s why ground hardening turns out to be a key preparatory step.
