Underbrush Clearing

​One of the services we at Classic City Arborists are proud to offer is underbrush clearing, an incredibly important but often overlooked component to land maintenance. One of the main reasons this vital process is dismissed is because it doesn’t seem necessary; most people understand it to be a purely aesthetic choice, and they don’t mind the sight of cluttered underbrush enough to do something about it. But underbrush clearing has many benefits beyond just enhancing curve appeal.

What is underbrush?

​Before we get started examining just why it’s so important to clear it out, let’s identify what we mean by underbrush. According to the dictionary, underbrush is defined as “shrubs, bushes, or small trees growing beneath large trees in a wood or forest,” and that’s about as on-the-nose as it gets. In the arboreal world, this extends to yards as well—if you’ve got some tall trees lining your fence and a tangled mass of bushes and vines and shoots growing beneath them, then you’ve got underbrush.

Why should you get rid of it?

​We already mentioned the widely-accepted reason for clearing underbrush, which is purely aesthetic: your yard will look much cleaner and neater without the mess. Especially if you’re looking to sell your home, clearing out underbrush is like getting a fresh haircut before a job interview, and can up your curb appeal and the value of your land.

​But for those who don’t mind the visual of rampant undergrowth, there’s still plenty of reason to clear:

Spiders, termites, and snakes! Oh my!

One of the biggest selling points when it comes to underbrush clearing is the removal of pests. Twisting vines and thick, low-to-the-ground shrubbery is the ideal home for all kinds of creepy crawlies (think snakes, spiders, mice, ticks, and more). While that idea in and of itself isn’t necessarily off-putting, consider how close to your home your underbrush is; a family of mice living in the bushes outside could easily explore their surroundings and decide that your attic makes a much nicer nesting ground than the cold, dirty ground. And we don’t have to tell you the kind of damage termites could do to your house—you definitely want to keep them as far away as possible.
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In addition to running off the rodents and terrorizing the termites, clearing underbrush also reduces the chances of snakes and other bugs. Sitting on your back porch enjoying a glass of sweet tea in the evening is a lot less appealing when you’re being eaten alive by mosquitoes, and having your kiddos run through the yard is a lot less scary when you’re not afraid of snakes under every leaf.

Can you find the snake hiding in this underbrush?

Removing that coverage is a sure-fire way to reduce the chances of all kinds of infestations - if you build it, they will come, and if you tear it down, they will go!

Cut out the competition

​Excessive undergrowth also poses a threat to the trees and plants you actually do want around. Your new crepe myrtle needs a lot of water as it establishes itself in your yard, and it might not make it if it has to fight overgrown shrubs and vines for nutrients. Underbrush can also crowd out your new flower bed or vegetable garden, even if it doesn’t seem like it’s close enough—remember to account for the roots, because they spread a lot farther than you think!

Getting the most out of your land

​Another reason to clear underbrush from your property is that it actually makes that property usable. Whether you’d like to have a nice outdoor fire pit for the cooler fall evenings, or you have fur babies who would love the chance to run around through open spaces, clearing underbrush gives you much more real estate to work with. Our clients are often surprised by just how much backyard they actually have once it’s not all cluttered with overgrown foliage!

Weed out the wildfires

​Though this might not apply here in the Athens area, where we aren’t prone to frequent wildfires, underbrush is always at some risk for them. In dry seasons or after long dry spells, all that undergrowth is all but self-lighting tinder ready to burn, and that’s the last thing you want anywhere near your home or family.

Okay, I get it - but why can't I do it myself?

A big reason why land-owners don’t consider hiring professionals to come in and clear out underbrush is because they think they could just easily do it themselves. After all, on the surface, clearing out underbrush seems like a pretty easy thing to do. Just get out there and chop, chop, chop, and you’re done! Why should you pay someone else to do it for you!

In reality, brush clearing is time-consuming, strenuous, and (especially here in the South) hot-and-sweaty hard work. Getting to the job often gets pushed by the wayside in favor of smaller, less-exhausting projects, which leads to rampant undergrowth that becomes even more overwhelming by the day. Calling your friendly neighborhood arborist is a great way to ensure the brush is actually cleared—and we definitely recommend calling a friendly certified neighborhood arborist, even if that isn’t us.
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If you would like to work with us, give us a call or fill out our contact form today to schedule a free estimate! Get that underbrush cleared so you can start enjoying a pest-free, accessible, and beautiful yard as soon as possible!

Author

Emily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.

Sources
Benefits of Brush Clearing Your Land
Five Good Reasons to Remove Underbrush
Venomous snake hidden in pile of sticks - can you see it?