Clearing a wooded backyard can seem like a daunting task, but with the right tips and tools, it can be done relatively easily. In this article, we will answer some of the most common questions about clearing a backyard, and provide useful tips to make the process go as smoothly as possible. So if you’re looking to clear some space for a garden, or patio, or simply to have a bit more breathing room, read on for advice that will help you get the job done!
Why Do You Need to Maintain a Wooden Backyard Properly?
Wooded backyards are often seen as a beautiful asset to any home. They provide natural beauty and privacy, and can even increase your property value. However, if you don’t maintain them properly, they can become overgrown and dangerous.
One of the most important reasons to clear your backyard is for safety. The overgrown brush can hide wild animals, like snakes or coyotes. It can also be a breeding ground for pests, like mosquitoes or ticks. If you have small children or pets, it’s especially important to keep your backyard clear.
Another reason to regularly clear your yard is to prevent fires. Dry leaves and brush are highly combustible, and if there’s a spark, the whole thing could go up in flames. If you live in an area prone to wildfires, it’s even more important to keep your yard clear.
Finally, clearing your backyard can help improve the health of the trees and plants. Overgrowth can block sunlight and prevent air circulation, which can lead to disease. By trimming back the overgrowth, you’re giving the trees and plants a fighting chance.
Stages of Cleaning a Wooded Backyard
Now that you know why it’s important to clear your backyard, let’s talk about how to do it. This is a big project, so it’s best to break it down into stages.
Compensation stage
The first stage is to assess the situation. You need to take into account the size of your yard, what type of vegetation is growing there, and how much time you’re willing to spend on this project.
If you have a large yard with lots of trees, you might want to consider hiring a professional tree service. They have the equipment and experience to quickly clear your yard without damaging the trees.
Logging stage
The next stage is the logging stage. This is where you remove all the trees and brush from your yard. If you have a lot of trees, you might want to rent a stump grinder or Bobcat to speed up the process.
After the logging stage, your yard will be much easier to maintain. You won’t have to worry about overgrowth anymore, and you’ll be able to mow right up to the tree line. [1]
How to Clear a Wooded Backyard
So now that you know why it’s important to maintain your backyard, let’s talk about how to do it. In this section, we’ll go over the basics of clearing a wooded backyard.
Check your local laws
If you’re not sure where to start, you can call your local city hall or ask a neighbor who has a well-maintained backyard.
Inspect your lot
The next step is to take a look at your lot and assess the situation. How big is the area you need to clear? What kind of vegetation is growing there? Is it mostly brush or are there trees involved?
Answering these questions will help you determine what kind of equipment you’ll need and how much work it’s going to be. If you have a large lot with lots of trees, for example, you’re going to need more than just a weed whacker.
Once you’ve assessed your lot, it’s time to plan. Decide which areas you want to focus on first and what order you’re going to do them in. If you have a large lot, it’s probably best to start with the areas closest to your house.
Plan for brush suppression
The most important step in clearing your backyard is to develop a plan. You need to decide how much of the brush you want to remove and what you’re going to do with it once it’s cleared.
Are you looking to create a firebreak? Then you’ll want to clear a wide swath of land, about 30 feet or more. If you’re just trying to tidy up the yard, then you can get away with clearing a smaller area.
Once you know how much land you need to clear, start mapping out where the brush is located. This will help you create a plan of attack and make sure you don’t miss any spots.
Assemble your utilities
Next, you’ll need to gather some supplies. You’ll need a chainsaw, loppers, and a pruning saw at the very least. If you have a tractor or other heavy-duty equipment, that will make the job easier. Otherwise, you can rent one from a local hardware store.
If you have a small lot, you might be able to get away with just a weed whacker and some gloves. But if you have a larger lot, you’ll probably need something more like a chainsaw and brush cutter. You can rent this equipment from most home improvement stores.
If you have particularly tall grass, you can make use of the scythe. This handy tool can be used to cut down grass without having to bend over.
Of course, you’ll also need some personal protective equipment. This includes gloves, goggles, and ear protection. Chainsaws are loud and can be dangerous, so it’s important to take precautions.
Cut down the trees
The first step is to cut down the trees. You can do this with a chainsaw or an axe. Be sure to wear protective gear, such as gloves and a helmet, when using these tools. If you have a lot of trees to remove, you may want to hire a professional tree service.
While cutting down small trees may be a relatively easy task, larger trees can be more challenging and dangerous. If you’re not confident in your ability to safely remove a large tree, it’s best to leave this job to the professionals.
You can use a chainsaw to cut down small trees. Just be sure that you have the proper safety equipment, including a helmet, gloves, and boots. You should also have someone nearby who can spot you in case you get into trouble.
Once the blade is fully embedded in the tree, apply pressure to the saw handle to start cutting through the trunk. As you’re cutting, be sure to keep your other hand on the saw’s rear handle for stability. Once you’ve cut through about halfway, you can stop and rest for a bit before finishing the job.
When you’re about to cut through the final bit of the trunk, be sure to push the tree in the direction you want it to fall. This will help ensure that it falls safely and doesn’t damage anything in its path.
After the tree has fallen, you can use a chainsaw to cut it into smaller pieces for easy removal. Just be sure to follow the same safety precautions as before. And that’s it! You’ve now successfully cleared a small tree from your backyard.
You don’t have to remove all of the trees in your backyard. If there are some that you want to keep, you can simply cut them down to stumps. Those may be older, ill trees that don’t contribute anything to the space anymore, or they could be young trees that you want to transplant elsewhere.
Next, you need to remove the tree stumps. This can be done with a stump grinder or by digging them up with a shovel. Again, wear protective gear when using these tools. Once the stumps are gone, you’ll have a much clearer backyard!
After all of the stumps are removed, you should then rake up any remaining debris and dispose of it properly. You may also want to consider adding some topsoil to the area so that new growth can occur more easily.
Remove bushes
Now that the trees are gone, you can begin clearing out bushes. This will make it easier to mow your lawn and give you more usable space in your backyard. Assuming you have the correct tools for the job, removing bushes is actually not that difficult. The first step is to dig around the base of the bush to loosen it from the ground. Once it is loosened, you can then pull it out of the ground. If the bush is particularly large or stubborn, you may need to cut it into smaller pieces before being able to remove it completely. Be sure to dispose of all plant material properly so that new growth does not occur.
You can either remove bushes by hand or with the help of a shovel. If you have a lot of bushes to remove, it may be worth renting a tiller from a local hardware store. This will make the job go much faster.
Remove the rocks
Next, you will need to clear away any large rocks or debris that may be present. This can be done with a shovel or even an ATV if necessary. Again, be sure to wear protective gear when doing this to avoid injury.
Remove the weeds
The next step in clearing your wooded backyard is to remove any weeds and underbrush that are present. You can do this by hand or by using a weed whacker. Be sure to wear gloves and long sleeves to protect yourself from the elements.
If you have a heavy weed problem, you may want to use a herbicide to kill the weeds before you attempt to remove them. Be sure to read the label carefully and follow the directions exactly.
We don’t suggest using herbicides unless absolutely necessary as they can be harmful to the environment.
Dig the topsoil
Next, you should dig the topsoil. You’ll need a shovel and a wheelbarrow. Start by shoveling the topsoil into the wheelbarrow. Be sure to shovel evenly, so you don’t end up with too much soil on one side and not enough on the other. Once you’ve shoveled all of the topsoils, move it to another area of your yard and spread it out.
Fill the site, level, and compact the soil
Now it’s time to fill the site. This can be done in a number of ways, but we recommend using a tractor or skid steer. If you don’t have access to either of those, you can rent them from most construction equipment rental companies.
To level the soil, first, use a rake to create an even surface. Then, use the tractor or skid steer to push the dirt around until it is level. Once you have leveled the soil, you can start planting your garden!
You may also use a compactor to compact the soil before you level it. This will make it easier to level and will help prevent any future sinkholes from forming.
Remove yard debris and excess soil
The final step in clearing your wooded backyard is to remove any yard debris and excess soil. This can be done with a rake, shovel, or even a power washer. Be sure to dispose of all debris properly and not leave any excess soil behind.
You can either store the soil in bags or bins, or you can spread it out in your garden or flower beds. If you have a lot of excess soil, you may want to consider renting a dumpster.
You may also contact a local landscaping company to see if they would be interested in taking the soil off your hands.
Once the area is cleared and leveled, you can begin planning where you want to plant your garden or build your patio. If you are planning on planting trees or shrubs, be sure to leave enough space between them so they have room to grow. You should also consider the amount of sun and shade each plant will need.
If you are unsure about what plants will do well in your yard, consult with a local nursery or landscaper. They will be able to give you advice on what will work best in your specific situation. With a little planning and effort, you can have the perfect wooded backyard of your dreams! [1] [2] [3]
FAQ
How do you clear land quickly?
Another way to clear land quickly is to use a chemical herbicide. Glyphosate is a common herbicide that can be sprayed on plants to kill them. However, this method should be used with caution, as glyphosate can also damage helpful plants and animals.
How do you clear an area in the woods?
The best way to clear an area in the woods is to first mark out the area that you want to clear with string or flags. Then, using a chainsaw, cut down all of the trees in the marked-out area. Finally, use a stump grinder to grind up all of the tree stumps.
What is the best equipment to clear land?
The best equipment for clearing land depends on the size and density of the trees and brush, as well as the terrain. If you have a large area to clear with mostly small trees and brush, a skid steer with a Bobcat brand brush cutter attachment is a good option. For larger areas with bigger trees, you may need to bring in a bulldozer or excavator to remove the trees and stumps.
Once you have removed the trees and brush, you will need to grade the land to prepare it for other uses. You can do this with a skid steer or tractor with a bucket or box blade attachment.
How do you get rid of the land of small trees and brushes?
The first thing you need to do is determine what kind of brush and trees you’re dealing with. Some types of brush can be killed with herbicides, while others need to be physically removed. Once you know what you’re dealing with, clearing your land will be much easier.
If you have a lot of small trees and bushes, the best way to remove them is by using a brush cutter. A brush cutter is a powerful tool that can quickly clear away large areas of brush. If you don’t have a brush cutter, you can also use a chainsaw to remove the larger trees.
Useful Video: Clearing backyard woods of brush, logs, and debris for customers’ playground
Conclusion
The wooded backyard is an unsightly mess. But with the right tools and some elbow grease, you can clear it out and have a beautiful backyard in no time. First, you need to get rid of the trees. Use a chainsaw to cut them down and then use an ax to chop them into smaller pieces. Then, use a rake to clear out the leaves and debris. Finally, use a shovel to dig up the roots.
Cleaning a wooded backyard is a huge job, but it’s definitely doable with the right tools and equipment. If you’re up for the challenge, follow the tips in this guide and you’ll be able to clear your backyard in no time. Thanks for reading!
References:
- https://homeaffluence.com/how-to-clear-a-wooded-backyard/
- https://homeeon.com/how-to-clear-a-wooded-backyard/
- https://homearise.com/clear-wooded-backyard/