Land clearing is tough work, but if you do it step by step it can be done quickly. Start by assessing the state of the land to determine which jobs can be handled alone and which require the assistance of others. After determining whether you need the help of a contractor or other experts, start working on them one at a time. For example, by clearing the remaining debris on the land, then cutting down the trees and trimming the remaining plants. If the land has been leveled and the holes in the ground have been closed, the area is ready for use.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Estimating the Scale of Your Project
Step 1. Determine if you need outside help
When working in a large area, you need a lot of time. You will need to inspect the land for things that could slow down the cleaning process, such as large trees or steep terrain. If you don't have the time, equipment or knowledge on this subject, you will need to hire a contractor or other specialist to help.
- Depending on the difficulty of the project, you may need to hire a contractor to complete the entire land clearing process.
- Alternatively, you can hire someone else to take care of some of the work during the land clearing process and handle some of the other work yourself.
- For example, you may feel capable of trimming bushes and felling small trees, but you may need the help of an arborist or logging company to deal with large trees.
Step 2. Find out the required permissions
Depending on what area you live in, there may be rare protected plants on the land, concerns about soil erosion, and other factors that can affect the cleaning process. Before starting a project, contact the local Public Works or Forestry Service to find out if you need a specific permit.
If you hire a contractor, they can usually help you with the necessary permits
Step 3. Set your budget
Contractors usually charge a fixed rate for every meter of land cleared. If you have a large area of land, this can make expenses swell. Even if you plan to clear the land without the help of others, you will still need to provide a budget for equipment use and maintenance, purchase of tools or supplies, payment for debris removal services, etc.
The cost of using the services of a contractor varies greatly, depending on the location and equipment required
Step 4. Ask the contractor to be hired for the estimated cost
Before choosing a contractor, compare the costs. Visit several contractors to inquire about the estimated costs to be incurred, then choose the best contractor who charges according to your budget. The rates set by the contractor are usually calculated based on the following:
- Land area
- How quickly the land needs to be cleared
- Land conditions that make clearing difficult (steep landscape, remote location, unusual soil types, etc.)
- When is the cleaning time
- Whether or not to hire a subcontractor
Part 2 of 2: Carrying out Land Clearing
Step 1. Destroy the buildings that are still standing
If there are old buildings, sheds, stables, or other structures on the plot, you'll need to demolish them to the ground. Use wreckers, bulldozers, and other heavy equipment to get the job done quickly. When you're done, remove the debris.
Contact your local sanitation company so you can rent a large construction debris bin to dispose of the debris
Step 2. Remove any remaining debris
Rocks, branches and trash must be removed. Disposing of these items will make it easier for the equipment used to remove weeds and trees. Contact a construction equipment rental company, a sand and gravel supply company, or another company that has heavy equipment to rent a debris crusher. This large machine can help you get rid of debris.
If there is a large rock that needs to be removed, wrap a large chain around it. After that, hook the chain to a tractor and drag the rock out of the field
Step 3. Mark and protect selected plants that cannot be moved temporarily
Fence the trees you want to allow to grow with a brightly colored construction fence or wrap landscape fabric around the underside of the plants to protect them. Put a fence around small plants. Use brightly colored marking tape to clearly mark the plants you want to protect.
- Mark all low tree branches to avoid damage from machine operation under the tree canopy.
- Water the plants regularly as needed.
Step 4. Cut down trees on cleared land
If you know how to use a chainsaw, you can clear small areas of land easily. However, if you have a large plot of land with lots of trees, hire professional equipment to make your job easier and faster.
- You can transport the felled trees for disposal. If you want, you can also chop tree trunks to use them as firewood or turn them into mulch with a skid steer.
- Very large trees or trees with rotting parts should be taken care of by professionals.
Step 5. Remove the remaining tree stump
To remove a tree stump (this is known as grubbing), start by digging out the surrounding roots with a shovel. Attach a large chain to the stump, then pull it with a tractor.
Step 6. Remove the bushes
There are many options for cleaning plants. You can use a hand pruner to cut away any plants in the ground if you don't have a large area of land. If the cleared area is very large, rent a bush trimmer to speed things up. You can turn pruned plants into compost, burn them, or destroy them. Please specify which option you prefer.
- If the field is filled with short grass, you can use farm animals such as sheep or goats to clear it. Sometimes, these animals can eat grass on the ground very quickly.
- Goats are even able to eat poisonous grass without getting hurt, which can help you reduce problems while clearing the land.
- In some areas, you can rent livestock for this purpose.
Step 7. Fill in the holes in the soil and assess the quality of the soil
If any holes appear after you move rocks, tree stumps, or other things, cover them with soil. Compact the soil into the hole until it is completely covered. Add more soil if necessary, and repeat this method until the surface is even.
If you are planning to build something on cleared land, the contractor will usually hire a professional land appraiser to expedite the construction process
Step 8. Plow the land if you want to create a farm or a large area
Turning the soil with the plow is an extra step to leveling the soil surface. If there is organic material (such as grass or leaves) on top of the soil, plowing it can enrich the soil nutrients in cleared land.
Do not plow wet or steep soil. Just let wild plants grow in the area. This can prevent soil erosion
Warning
- Follow all rules and regulations regarding the control of soil erosion and runoff or you may be fined.
- Make a sediment pond or water reservoir if the land clearing process is carried out in the rainy season.
- Be careful not to spread mud or lumps of dirt onto the road. You can be fined if you do this.
