Maintaining your property means more than regular mowing. If you have a wooded area around or to the side of your home, it's a good idea to do brush clean up annually.

Clearing away trees and brush around or at the property line is important because this helps cut down on wildlife infestations, reduces the risk of fires and increases the value of your property.

It can also be a safety hazard and limit your families ability to enjoy your outdoor living space(s).

Benefits of Brush Clearing

1. Decrease Rodent Infestation - One benefit of brush clearing is that it prevents wildlife infestations. The last thing anyone wants to worry about is rodents on your property. Thick undergrowth creates a natural nest for ticks, rodents, and other pests that will cause headaches for you. When there are rodents on the property, there's a potential for them to find their way into the home, which is one aggravation NO ONE wants!
2. Reduce Fire Risks - Another benefit of brush clearing is that it reduces the risk of fires. Dry and dead vegetation can pose a significant risk. The greater the distance between your home and vegetation, the greater the protection. Here's a great checklist provided by FEMA on what you can do to reduce fire risk around your property - Avoiding Wildfire Damage: A Checklist for Homeowners.
3. Increase Property Value - Lastly, brush clearing not only improves the look of your yard, but it adds value to your property and home. Getting rid of dead trees can significantly improve your curb appeal. If you’re looking to sell your home or property, cleaning out brush and overgrowth will add significant value.

Top Brush Clearing Benefit: Brush clearing is also a great way to gain more useable property space. When you clear brush at the property line, consider clearing space for a small campsite with a camp fire, and/or an even more useable lawn for the kids to play on..

When to Clear Brush

Winter is the perfect time to clear away brush. Vegetation is less dense during this time, so it’s easier to prune, rake, hoe, and trim. Also, working on the frozen ground doesn’t disturb the soil or impact healthy, desirable plants. Plus, you’re less likely to run into snakes, mosquitoes or get eaten up with poison ivy while working in the cold weather.

How to Keep Brush from Growing Back

A couple of ways to keep brush from growing back is by using a chemical herbicide (like Triclopyr) or landscape fabric with a mixture of vinegar and salt solutions. In certain areas you can burn brush, but this needs to ONLY be done under carefully controlled conditions and with local regulatory officials (most areas require a permit for burning).

Bonus Option: To keep brush from growing back simply grade the area once all the brush is cut down and seed the area to make it lawn. You can then maintain it with a normal mower.

Linnemann Lawn Care and Landscape offers brush clearing around the property/wood line around your home. We use a John Deere Compact Track Loader that can cut up to 5" brush in diameter. It's good to note that we are not a a tree trimming company. Trimming trees verses clearing up brush around the property line is a very different job.

If you are looking to clean up your property line or brush around your home, give us a call:  (618) 939-4769!