​The infamous "brush pile," it’s unsightly and it's been there for too long! Brush piles can attract all kinds of critters including ticks, rodents, fleas, and snakes. They also can cause wildfires because of their dry vegetation which can quickly catch fire and spread out of control. When it’s time to get rid of that hideous brush pile you need to come up with a plan on what you want the soil underneath to become. You also need to figure out how to discard of all that material. Here are a few suggestions on how to remove that brush.

Haul it Off
Use a truck or trailer to haul off all your yard debris. To make it easier to unload, it is suggested that you put the largest pieces on the bottom with the stem facing the direction away from the vehicle. Make sure you have all branches and debris tied down securely with rope or tie downs. When its time to unload just pull the stem of the bottom piece and everything else on top should come with it. 

Mulch it
You can rent or use your existing wood chipper to create a pile of mulch that would look great in your flower beds or around your trees. Wood chip mulch minimizes weeds weeds and helps plants retain water and heat in the winter. They also can be used in and around play-area surfaces. Use ear and eye protection and exercise caution. And always feed the machine more slowly than you think you need to.

Burn It 
Burning brush is not always the best solution. You first off need to find out if your community/city will let you burn brush on your property and if you need to obtain a burn permit or not. Some debris does not burn well and having a brush fire can create breathing problems for next door neighbors. Try to  burn the brush in a hole or in a contained area where the fire can be easily contained and not catch other obstacles on fire fire.

Sometimes it becomes essential to remove dead or diseased shrubs in order to make way for healthier, vibrant plants. Older shrubs can take away from curb appeal so it's best to take them out as soon as possible. Below we look at the steps needed to remove shrubs that are past their prime. 

1. Choose the right time of year to dig up large shrubs. It’s best to take out larger shrubs during the fall or winter when there is no chance of disturbing a birds nest. It’s usually easier to dig when the ground is moist or wet after a rain. If the ground is very hard and filled with clay soil it might be necessary to wet the soil by using a garden hose.   
2. Gather the necessary tools and materials. To penetrate the soil, use a spade or pointed tip shovel that can easily break up hard clay and an ax to cut through thicker roots. This will make it much easier for you to dig up under neath the root ball. You might also need a chain saw or pruning shears to cut the foliage away so that you are able to work more efficiently. 
3. Cut the shrub back to expose the stump. Use the shears or chainsaw to cut the shrub  back until only a small amount of stump is remaining.
4. Dig a trench around the stump to expose the root ball. Use the round-bladed spade to dig a trench around the stump. Be careful not to hit any under ground cables or lines. It's a good idea to call 811 so that they can mark any underground obstructions. 
5. Pull out the root ball. Use a spade shovel and axe to cut through the roots as much as possible so that your able to get a shovel up under neath the complete root-ball. If the root-ball still wont come out you might need to attach a chain and pull it out with a truck or atv. Shaking the soil out of the roots will make the shrub easier to handle.
6. Get up any remaining root and add soil. As soon as you have thrown away the root ball, use an axe or spade to break up as much of the remaining root in the ground as possible. By doing this you will help in the roots decompose faster and turn into nitrogen rich soil. It’s also a good idea to add some rich compost to fill in the hole and help add nutrients for the next plant or shrub. ​

Tree trimming can prevent accidents. Trees that are not trimmed can actually cause plenty of issues on your property. When you have a tree that is diseased or has dead branches it does not take much for limbs to fall to the ground potentially harming property or people below. If this situation happens and someone is injured you are liable. Larger tree limbs can also pose a hazard to electrical lines and could potentially fall on your house. It is a great investment to hire a professional tree company to come out and trim your trees on a regular basis

Tree trimming can improve the health of your trees. When the trees on your property are infected with disease it is a good idea to prune your those branches and keep the disease from spreading to other parts of the tree. Many tree companies will try to trim and thin the top of the tree to improve airflow which in turn can add to the trees lifespan. 

Tree trimming can improve the look of your landscape. Whether you’re looking for a way to improve the appearance of your home or business’ landscape, tree trimming can help make your property look aesthetically pleasing . When you hire a professional tree trimming service, you’re taking steps towards maintaining the shape and appearance of your trees and can help add value to your property for years to come.

Clearing overgrown land can be a huge undertaking.What was once open land can quickly become a tangled mess covered with brush, small trees, and tough weeds. But where to start? How to even begin to attack the mess and turn it into the clear space that you want? Start with the right tools. 

One of those right tools is a brush mower or brush hog for clearing most large areas overgrown land. Choose a walk-behind model for walk-able areas, and a tow-behind model for really large fields and meadows. These machines are great for cutting through saplings and mowing through tall weeds and grass. The horsepower on these machines can determine how fast the job can be completed.
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Another powerful tool is a chainsaw. Using this tool is ideal if you have larger saplings that cant be cut with manual cutters. Chainsaws come in a variety of different horse powers and bar sizes and need to be determined based on how large your trees are. 

String trimmers, either the walk-behind type or the handheld type, are great for cleaning up fence lines and clearing thin weeds and grasses. For heavier-duty brush clearing, though, there are ways to turn your string trimmer into an even more powerful machine. You can add different kits onto your  trimmer and convert it into a brush cutter that can take out much thicker material.

Another machine to clear brush is a stump grinder. If you have removed larger trees in your  overgrown land, you have probably have some left over stumps. The quickest, easiest way to get rid of them is to grind them away with a stump grinder. There are other methods such as using chemicals but those can take months or years. You can rent a stump grinder for a flat fee at your local rental store.

1. When you see the tree leaning. If you see a tree leaning more than 15 degrees it is a  good idea to call a tree professional. Some trees have a natural lean to their growth pattern but others lean due to storm damage or poor soil condition. Anything over a 15-degree lean,  especially if it happened recently or has gotten worse, should be taken care of immediately.

2. When a tree has fallen. If a tree has come crashing down or snapped in half due to high winds or other disaster, it needs to be cleaned up as soon as possible to avoid any other damage to nearby property or people. Downed trees are an immediate emergency.

3. When you notice dead branches. Large, dead branches are a sign of trouble ahead when it comes to your trees. If you spot a branch that is dead or dying, get it taken care of immediately in order to prevent it from falling or being blown off and causing damage to people or property.
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4. If there is a change in the roots or trunk. A strong, healthy tree can weather many storms, but even a healthy-looking tree might be hollow or dying inside if you aren’t looking close enough. Signs of rot or fungus near the roots or recently exposed roots are indicative of a problem.

At Upstate Stump Man we have listed the steps that we take to grind a stump from your property. We start by using a shovel to remove any rocks from around the base of the stump. This step is important because rocks can dull or damage the teeth on the cutting wheel.

Next we use a chain saw to cut the stump close to the ground. This step is not always necessary depending on the size of the stump. It can though speed up the process significantly.

We then use the hydraulic lever and start the grinding process from the top of the stump. Drive the machine forward to position the grinder wheel directly over the stump's front edge. Start the wheel spinning and slowly lower it a few inches all while grinding into the stump. Use the lever to slowly swing the  grinding wheel from each side to clear out all the wood. After you've dug down at least 3 to 5 inches raise the grinder and go forward with the machine a few inches. Stop and repeat this process. While operating the machine, always stand at a safe distance away from the cutting wheel.
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Slowly, continue to grind your way through to the other side of the stump. Stop and check to make sure that the freshly dug hole is at least 5 in. below the ground. If possible rake up all the wood chips and fill the crater with screened topsoil.Tamp down and lightly rake the soil. Spread out an even layer of grass seed and then rake the seeds into the soil. Water the area and cover with wheat straw.

Tired of looking at those old stumps? Well why not stump grind them and remove them? There are many benefits to removing those unsightly stumps. One of the many reasons to do so is because it can become a trip hazard and cause injury. If your neighbor accidentally falls due to tripping over a stump that liability can come back on you.

Rotting stumps are not very attractive looking. It can put a major dent in your curb appeal. If you are wanting a manicured property removing the stump is well worth it.

Stumps can also cause new tree growth. Sometimes leaving the stump around and not removing it can cause sprouts to re appear. These small trees can also take away nutrients from surrounding plants located near them. 

Old stumps can attract all sorts of insects. The decaying tree takes a long time to rot away completely. While it's decomposing the stump attracts termites as well as beetles, and another wood munching critters. These nuisance creatures pose a threat to your property and other surrounding structures.

Stumps take up space. This is especially true if you have a smaller yard. The space you lose due to the roots and stump may be larger than first thought. You could use that precious space for other landscaping projects.

All in all stump grinding is a smart investment for your property. The pros outweigh the cons every time.