Vineyard Removal and Clearing

Local counties like El Dorado, Amador and Placer have ordinances in place that may affect how you should approach vineyard removal and clearing on your property. 

In general, you will likely not need a permit when clearing your vineyard.

There are, however, specific guidelines in place for defensible space zones to ensure fire safety, as well as regulations that may impact how you move or relocate soil after disposal of vineyard related materials. 

Hargo's works closely with El Dorado County, Amador and cities like Placerville on a number of projects including land clearing and fire safety, so we understand exactly what ordinances and regulations may affect your plans. 

We'll help you navigate any potential challenges when we discuss your needs during our free on-site assessment.

Yes!

We work hand-in-hand with CalFire on a number of defensible space and fire safety projects throughout the year to help maintain fire safety standards across El Dorado and Amador counties. 

Hargo's Land Management is a member of the El Dorado Fire Safe Council and a Certified Defensible Space Evaluator. We're well-versed in the nuances of fire safety and can assist you with ensuring that your property and land follow local ordinances and are "fire safe" once we've completed the removal and clearing of your vineyard.

Vineyard waste that includes organic and non-organic materials is a multi-stream process.

Wire and other metallic waste, as well as pressure treated posts (that cannot be burned), are separated from vegetation for proper disposal at authorized local facilities. 

During the rainy season, you may choose to burn vines, roots, and vegetation on site with a valid burn permit from our local fire departments.

However, many vineyard removal clients choose to recycle these materials back into their soil. This forestry mulching or mastication approach turns vines into nutrient-rich mulch that can be added back to your soil to help prevent erosion and act as soil safety layer during fire season.

If necessary, organic materials can be hauled away.

We'll assess your specific organic materials to help you determine the best way forward. 

There are a variety of factors that play a role in the cost of vineyard removal, including:

• Vine and Planting Density
  While some vineyards may have 250-500 vines per acre, other large scale operations may have over 1,000 vines per acre.
• Vine Maturity and Root Depth
  Older, mature vines typically have deeper, larger roots that require deep ripping to remove. Whereas, younger vines don't require the same amount of extractions depth of force to be removed. The time and equipment requirements may affect your overall removal price.
• Terrain and Slope
  Vineyards grown on flat land are easier to clear than those on slopes, as heavy equipment must operate much slower on significantly graded or hilly terrain.
• Erosion Control Needs
  Erosion control on hilly terrain requires more care than flat valley land.
• Trellis & Infrastructure
  The infrastructure holding up your vines, including the wiring, t-posts, trellises, and cement anchors may require specialized heavy equipment and care for removal
• Disposal of Organic Materials
  Whether you want to burn organic material on your property, mulch, or have it hauled away will factor into overall costs. 
• Disposal of Non-Organic Materials
  Non-organic materials like wiring and treated would will need to be hauled and disposed of according to local ordinances

A number of variables may affect the final cost of removing your vineyard.

Hargo's provides free on-site assessment and consultation to give you a precise, "no-surprises" quote.