Vegetation Control:  Rotovation can control some species, some of the time, on some sites.   Roots of plants generally do not appreciate being torn out of the ground and exposed to hot dry air.  Centrifugal action of the VH Mulcher exposes and rotates many roots out and away from the planting spot.  Grass, shrubs and trees can be controlled when manipulated as to the take advantage of specific weakness.  Some species succumb by root exposure to drought (grasses and trees) while other species simply succumb to minimal disturbance.

The VH Mulcher applies more physical action and manipulation to the roots of targeted species than other machines and therefore has a higher success rate of causing mortality by damaging or removing the root structures.  It should be noted that the objective should be to "hold back" competing vegetation not "obliterate" all vegetation from the site. (in most cases)  Hold back means to allow the largely unrestricted growth of the preferred species for the early critical establishment years.

Generally, if you obliterate one species from the site entirely you end up inheriting a new problem more significant than the one you were initially working with.  Work with it.....learn about its weaknesses....take advantage of its weaknesses, timing of disturbance can be critical....nature is trying to tell you something......

To add to this difficulty.

Clearcutting can be very harsh treatment.  On some sites the retention of anything organic to assist in the maintenance of soil productivity can be paramount.  Retention of slash and spot treatments can greatly assist the insects which are necessary to rebuild soils.  The presence of these organisms at the desired population levels are essential to promoting root development of the seedlings.

There are many natural "LINKS" that we must learn to exploit

In the Boreal Forest severe grass competition can be expected immediately after clearcutting.  It has been found that mice carry an important bacteria back to the site necessary for soil reconstruction and root development of conifer seedlings.  If we were to broadcast spray and remove the grass species we also would remove the mice by removing their food source.  We could plant conifers again and even have good survival, but root growth would be severely restricted and grass would again take over the site as the plantation failed.  In some cases only a "stunted forest" of poor growth and form would remain.  Poor growth and form can readily be blamed on the nurseries supplying the trees, planting quality, the site preparation methods, or numerous other factors.  Seldom do we recognize the "Links".  Many of our problems stem from harsh continuous treatments with too much change too fast for the site without attention to the invisible organisms that are essential to establishing a healthy fast growing forest. see photo #7.  Many similar circumstances occur world wide and more research is needed.  Spot treatments maintain 80-90% of the site and buffer some of the harsh effects of clearcutting.