How To Clear A Wooded Backyard: 10 Simple Steps

Last Updated on July 24, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

To clear a wooded backyard, follow these steps:

• Assess the area and identify valuable trees to keep.
• Obtain necessary permits if required.
• Use chainsaws, or axes, or hire professionals for tree removal.
• Clear debris and brush.
• Consider recycling or repurposing wood.
• Level the ground for a clean finish.

Steps To Clear A Wooded Backyard

Step 1: Watch Out Your Lot 

There is no doubt you wouldn’t build a home without a blueprint and a game plan.  The same applies when it comes to clearing the bush of your yard. Though it does not need a map of your backyard, it does call for walking and knowing the ideal way to remove the weeds and bushes. 

It is essential to mark the trees to be eliminated and look at the surfaces that seem unbelievably thick in the uplifted development.  As well, it is also a great idea to note any spots in your backyard where you find it hard to work, such as rocky lots or weeds entwined with a fence or a swamp. 

Step 2: Plan For A Brush Conquest 

It is practicable that your weekly trash collection will not thrive in conducting the cleanup of your project scope. Or, you may not want to hold on to clear the brush until it happens together with your area’s next brush collection day. 

Consider some plans such as composting or yard waste dumpster rental from dirt and branches to shrubs and brush. Renting a dumpster is the best solution to eliminate the overgrown yard on your schedule. 

Look for dumpster services in your area.

Step 3: Collect Your Tools

There is one thing for sure when it comes to clearing bushes; you will require some utilities.  Whether you plan on removing a brush by hand or electrical utilities, there are a wide variety of tools to help you. 

Tools, courses, and power tools: 

• Axe 
• Chainsaw 
• Thread trimmer 
• Stump Grinder 
• Pala 
• Tree pruner 
• Scythe/machete
• Rake 

Materials:

• Gloves 
• Eye protection 
• Helmet 
• Long-sleeved shirts and pants 
• Heavy-duty garbage bags
• Replacement soil

When clearing brush, ensure you wear gloves, goggles, an extended-sleeve shirt, sturdy boots, and long pants. 

The reasons for taking safety when clearing brush include thorny vines, rough limbs, poison ivy, flying or falling debris, and sharp utilities. 

Step 4: Cut Down Trees 

In the elaboration part, you mark the trees you intend to cut down. This is the chance for you to change your mind, as tree elimination needs to be done. 

Important Safety Tip: Clearing small trees is relatively easy, and you can do it by yourself. However, medium and larger trees can be a bit riskier to remove without the proper and correct equipment.  It’s always good to consult a professional tree remover when it comes to more giant trees. 

How To Cut Down A Small Tree 

1. Mark the stem nearly a foot above the ground  

2. Cut it at an angle of 45 degrees using a chainsaw or an axe until you are close to a third way. Ensure you are cutting in the direction you would wish the tree to fall toward. 

3. Apply the same on the other side but let it be higher than what you cut on the opposite side. This cut should be halfway through the stem/trunk. 

4. Push the tree toward the direction you like it to fall. If the plan fails, use the bow saw to continue with your cut until the tree begins to fall. 

5. Repeat these steps as required for the other trees you wish to remove 

How To Eliminate A Stump 

Once you are done cutting down the trees, it’s good to remove stumps to clear your land of the brush completely.  There are copious ways to go about it, but it all depends on the size and quantity. Let’s check on  some ways to remove them:

Get A Shovel To Dig Them Out: this works when stumps are smaller with a shallow root system. You uncover the roots by digging, then use an axe to cut the stump loose. Next, use your hands to pull it out of the ground. 

Get A Stump Grinder To Dispose Of The Stumps: this is best for small stumps with a robust root system. Also, it works well with medium to large stumps with shallow roots. If wondering where to get grinders, rent from home improvement stores near you. 

Whether you opt for a stump grinder or a shovel, ensure to fill the holes left with soil or topsoil to have a flat site. 

Pro Tip: If you are using a dumpster for brush suppression, ensure to check with your rental company before disposing of trees.

Step 5: Eliminate Shrubs 

With the trees cut down, the next step is to remove medium and large-sized shrubs. Removal can be done by the use of a hand or a shovel. The size of the shrub will determine this. If it’s a bit large and you need to dig out the roots first, you need a shovel. It is always helpful to prune some of the smaller branches of a shrub to make it easier to dig out.   

Step 6: Clear Out The Weeds 

Once you are done with more significant elements, it’s time to get to the core of things. The weeds, vines, tall, trees, and tiny pushes are still yet to be dealt with. So, it’s time to get yourself a weed wrecker/string trimmer, machete/scythe, and tree trimmer and get started. 

Important Safety Tip: if you aren’t used to putting on pants and long sleeves, be ready to wear them. They will protect your skin from dangerous plants such as oak and poison ivy. 

How To Get Rid Of Vines And Weeds 

• Use the tree pruner to cut thicker vines and brambles and throw them to the side. 
• Pull larger-size weeds out from the ground.

Step 7: Cut Out The Remainder 

This next step is simple. Cut the left-behind vegetation using your machete or string trimmer. If the remaining vegetation is a bit high, cut it around halfway on the first cut and now trim it to the ground on the second cut. 

If you are trimming a thin brush, then you can use a lawnmower. Otherwise, be ready to clean the deck of your mower. 

Pro Tip: while you’re trimming, ensure to watch out for thicker shrubs or vines you may haven’t noticed when thinning out the brush. 

Step 8: Digging The Topsoil 

Hire an excavator to clear out the remaining foliage and topsoil cover. It’s the appropriate way to get rid of vines and brushes. Use an excavator, mini-excavator, or digger to excavate the topsoil cover. 

Step 9: Fill The Area, Level, And Compact The Soil. 

Once you are done with excavation, fill the area with the required soil, clean fill or marl, and compact the ground using a compactor. 

Once you have excavated the area to the correct depth, you can fill it with loamy soil to form a new lawn. 

Step 10: Get Rid Of Yard Debris And Excess Soil 

Look for a company that amasses clean fill for the soil.  You follow three settings for yard waste removal. The first is to use a trailer, Ute, or truck to transport them to a dumping site. The second is to put it in your green container. 

The last alternative is to process your yard waste via a shredder, which will offer mulch for later use.

Why Do You Need to Maintain a Wooden Backyard Properly?

Understanding the importance of maintaining a wooden backyard necessitates a comprehensive examination of its countless benefits and potential problems. Correctly preserving your wooden backyard helps maintain its charm, extends its life, protects its value, and keeps it safe. Below are the reasons why proper maintenance of your wooden backyard is necessary:

1. Enhances Aesthetic Appeal

• Appealing appearance: Well-maintained wood retains its natural, rustic beauty, giving your backyard a warm and inviting appearance.
• Preserves color: Regular maintenance can prevent the wood from turning gray, which is the result of weathering over time.

2. Extends Lifespan

• Prevents rotting: A well-kept wooden backyard is less prone to rot, which can significantly decrease its lifespan.
• Weather protection: Sealing and staining are essential elements of maintenance that shield the wood from harsh environmental elements like UV rays and rainwater.

3. Protects Your Investment

• Increases property value: A beautiful manicured and maintained wooden backyard can increase your property value.
• Prevents expensive repairs: Regularly maintaining your wooden structures can prevent minor issues from becoming major, costly repairs.

4. Ensures Safety

• Prevents injuries: Unattended wood can develop splinters, which can cause injuries.
• Structural stability: Routine maintenance helps ensure the structural integrity of wooden decks and fences, making them safer to use.

Importance	Details
Aesthetic appeal	Enhancing the natural beauty of wood, preserving its warm and inviting look, and maintaining its color
Lifespan	Preventing the wood from rotting and guarding it against harsh weather conditions
Protecting investment	Increasing property value and preventing costly repairs due to neglect
Safety	Preventing potential injuries from splinters and ensuring structural integrity

The good news is that maintaining a wooden backyard doesn’t need to be difficult or overly time-consuming. Regular cleaning, sealing, and inspections are key to keeping the wood in your backyard healthy and beautiful. By understanding the importance and benefits of wood maintenance, you’re more likely to keep up with the necessary tasks to preserve your backyard’s charm and functionality, thereby ensuring it remains a space you can enjoy for many years to come.

 

What Is The Cost Of Clearing A Wooded Lot?

Clearing the lot and making a site to build a home will cost around $2,929 or between $ 1,283 and $ 4,675. This progress averages $1.30 to $2 per square foot. Taking down densely wooded land costs around $3,000 to $5,600 per acre, while subtly wooded lots cost around $500 to $2,000 per acre. 

Can You Clear Land Yourself?

Clearing land can be a bit challenging task. When you have acquired a lot, it is frequently necessary to clear a lot before starting any creation. Sometimes, clearing and planting grass can be a simple task, especially if you have the correct equipment and tools. Before deciding whether to clear by yourself, it’s worth considering the cost of clearing land. 

How Do I Clear A Wooded Area By Hand?

You can do this by applying two stages; the compensation stage and the logging stage.

Compensation Stage

During the clearing stage, get rid of shrubs, small trees, large rocks, and bushes and prune the ground vegetation. All this is to offer you clear walking paths and space to work when you begin cutting trees. 

Logging Stage 

This is whereby you begin making cuts in the most significant trees.  When you fall down the trees, you will start to know the reward for your efforts. 

Final Word

A wooded backyard is a problem for many people, and it is good to clear it up. The steps we have highlighted above and the tips make the work relatively easier. With the correct tools and equipment, you are sure to leave your backyard well-clean.  So, you can choose to do it yourself or call an expert for huge trees.

References:

https://gardenprofy.com/how-to-clear-a-wooded-backyard/
https://mykitchenpoint.com/how-to-clear-a-wooded-backyard/