Is your property covered in overgrown brush?
Weeds, brush, old fence lines, and unmaintained sections of property are easier than you think. However…
You have real opportunities on that land.
Unused and overgrown property isn’t exclusive to farms or large plots of land anymore. Property owners inherit unwanted parcels of land, neglect yards, or simply don’t have time to maintain acreage. So what can be done about it?
Reclaiming unused property for productivity or new development is a realistic goal with the proper equipment.
Here’s What We’ll Cover:
- Neglected Land: Why It’s Become More Common
- Planning & Preparing Property for Reclamation
- Equipment Needed For Land Clearing
- From Brush Jungle To Prepared Land – Steps To Clear Land
- Tips To Maintain Property After Clearing
Neglected Land: Why It’s Become More Common
Property abandonment and neglect are extremely common problems in rural farming communities. But what most people don’t realize is that neglected land is becoming more prevalent in suburban areas and metropolitan surroundings too.
An article by University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists states there were over 30 million acres of abandoned cropland from 1986 to 2018.
That’s MILLIONS of acres that could be used for development.
Properties are abandoned for any number of reasons. Whether owners pass away and heirs don’t know what to do with the land, or people are too busy to maintain their yards – overgrowth is happening at mass levels.
Luckily, reclaiming this land for productivity or spare area doesn’t have to cost tens of thousands of dollars. It can be as easy as having the right plan and a couple pieces of quality machinery.
Property owners wanting to take on larger-sized land clearing should visit their local agricultural equipment dealership. Check out places like Shelbyville Case IH and Kubota equipment to find tractors, brush cutters, and attachments that make the cutting process simple.
Planning & Preparing Property for Reclamation
The first thing you’ll want to do before clearing your land is take a look at the property.
Walk your land. Identify areas with old fence posts, rocks, debris, stumps, or other hazards that could cause damage to your equipment. Clearing these areas later will only slow down your progress.
Make note of:
- How dense the brush is
- Tree sizes
- Slopes, drainage issues, or low lying areas with standing water
- Any buildings or areas you want to protect
Knowing the lay of the land will allow you to shop for the right equipment for the job at hand. A property with light brush covers will need different equipment than something overgrown with full-sized trees.
Another thing to consider when preparing your property is any regulations from your local municipality. Some areas require permits if you’re cutting trees or changing drainage patterns. It doesn’t hurt to give your local city planning department a call before getting started.
Equipment Needed for Land Clearing
Like with any do-it-yourself project, using the correct tools for the job makes ALL the difference.
If you’re dealing with light brush and grasses that have taken over your land, something as simple as a brush mower or rotary cutter will do the trick. These attachments work great on skid steers and compact tractors to cut down overgrowth.
For more intense clearing, you might want to consider skid steers or even mini-excavators to clear dense brush and shrubbery. Throw a mulcher on the front and you’re mulching while clearing.
Lastly, don’t forget about chainsaws and stump grinders. You’ll definitely need something to cut down trees with and ideally grind stumps so they’re below ground level.
There’s always the option to rent these machines if you think you’ll only use them once. But if you plan on maintaining your property long-term, investing in your own equipment can help you in the long run.
Assess your property and determine what will work best when choosing what equipment to buy or rent.
From Brush Jungle to Prepared Land – Steps to Clear Land
When tackling land clearing, take things one step at a time.
Be sure to not skip steps in the process. That would simply cause problems later on.
Start by removing any large debris.
Old tree stumps, broken fencing, loose rocks, or simply trash on the property should be cleared away first. Not only does this protect your equipment from damage, but it’ll make the land clearing process quicker.
Next, clear the perimeter of your land.
Beginning from the outside in is always a good rule-of-thumb. Clearing the perimeter of your land first helps create boundaries. It also creates entry and exit points to work with and places to stack debris while you work.
Time to get started on the brush!
Hit any areas covered in brush, weeds, or grass with a brush mower. This cuts back the overgrown tops and allows you to see what you’re working with underneath.
From here, you can deal with tree removal and stump grinding.
Figure out which trees you want to keep, if any. Remove the trees you don’t want then grind the stumps down below ground level.
The last step to your land clearing process is grading the ground.
Once you’ve cleared all the vegetation, go over the land with a loader or bulldozer to grade the ground. Fill in any low spots and level out any rows or tracks your equipment may have left behind.
From here, you can seed the ground or place sod to start a lawn, or place any kind of ground cover to prevent the same weeds from overtaking your property again.
Tips to Maintain Property After Clearing
Of course, all of this work means nothing if you don’t maintain your property afterwards.
You cleaned up that property for nothing if it turns into a brush jungle two years down the road. Here are a few tips to maintain your land after the initial cleanup process.
Create a mowing schedule and stick to it.
Regular mowing and cutting prevents brush from growing back in. You don’t have to cut your grass every week, but passing through even once a month will help.
Deal with problem areas immediately.
If you notice certain areas filled with invasive species, take care of them as soon as possible. Allowing weeds and overgrowth one chance to take back your property will make you twice the work later.
Maintain your equipment.
This pretty much applies to anything with a motor, but sharp blades cut better. Don’t let your equipment break down on you by keeping up with maintenance.
Have a plan for how you’re going to use your property.
Maintenance techniques will vary if you clear your land to be used for pasture versus clearing your land for a backyard patio. Prepare how you’ll use your land and maintain accordingly.
Benefits of Cleaning Your Property
Cleaning up unused or neglected property on your land comes with benefits other than just “curb appeal.”
Available space.
The most used space on your property was going to waste. Whether you want a garden, livestock, a play area for kids, or future development – clearing gives you more space to work with.
Property value goes up.
Empty acreage doesn’t equal high property value. Nice, maintained land will attract higher appraisals and selling prices.
Decreased fire risk.
Overgrown brush increases the risk of fire and can be dangerous. By cutting back brush and clearing your land, you’re decreasing that risk and protecting what you own.
Fewer pests.
Mice, snakes, insects. You name it – they’ll hide in long grass and weeds. By cutting back your grass and keeping your land maintained, you’ll have fewer pests living on your property.
Wrapping Things Up
Unused, overgrown land is a thing of the past.
Don’t let your extra property go to waste. Between 75 million fewer acres of farms today versus 1997, there has never been more opportunity to reclaim unused land.
Whether your goals are to gain more usable acreage, increase property value, or just want to clean up a nasty corner of your yard…
You can achieve your goal by using the proper tools and creating a plan of action.
That jungle of brush isn’t going to magically disappear. But with some forethought and the right equipment, it doesn’t have to stay that way either.
