|
Clearing
your land requires a lot
more consideration than you may think.
by Kim j. Gifford
photos by Dave NEAL
Contrary
to common belief, clearing your land requires a lot
more than the labor of cutting down trees and brush
and hauling the mess away. The job demands careful
consideration, and the expertise of a professional,
especially when clearing your land for a house site.
Location.
Location is critical in determining exactly what
needs to be cleared away for a new house site. Not
only do you need to take into account where the
house, driveway, and septic will be placed, but also
how close your trees are to roadsides, power lines,
and other infrastructure. Because you can't undo the
work of a chainsaw, it is crucial to establish what
is permissible ahead of time. Furthermore, just
because it's your land doesn't mean you have the
legal right to chop it as you may. "More often than
not," says Robert Oakes of Oakes Tree Services in
West Lebanon, New Hampshire, "if your house site is
part of a bigger development, you'll need permission
to remove any single tree -- and you'll pretty much
always need permission before clearing sites along
'scenic roads.'"
Dave Neal of Neal Tree Service, Inc. of Woodstock,
Vermont, brings another all-too-common issue to
light. "In the past, we have actually taken trees
down that are not on the owner's property even
though they were absolutely convinced it was their
property," he says. To avoid any legal disputes with
your neighbors, it is very important to mark out
your property line before clearing your land.
Saving Valuable Trees.
Along with their aesthetic rewards, trees offer
protection from the wind and sun. it is not unusual
to find mature trees appraised by insurance
companies at more than $20,000 apiece. Too
frequently homeowners clear their site only to
decide later that their house is too open and
exposed. Making a concerted effort to preserve trees
throughout the construction process can save you big
money and aggravation.
"The trees we usually look to save are quality
hardwoods around the house or foundations -- maples,
oak, birch, and similar species," says Jason Eaton
of Chippers in Woodstock, Vermont, and Lebanon, New
Hampshire.
Once you have decided which trees to save, it is
important to take down the trees around them to
lessen competition. you should also remove any
diseased trees from the property. Another important
factor in deciding which trees to remove is the
local wildlife. you may want to leave some trees to
preserve a natural habitat for them but you must
take into account that deer and bear can wreak havoc
with certain species. Deer, for instance, love
cedar. "If they are hungry enough," notes Doug
ricketts of Ricketts and Sons in Warren, Vermont,
"they'll devour every spruce tree on your property."
Whatever trees you deem worth saving must be
protected during the construction process. "You
should have a temporary but sturdy fence put up
around them (preferably at the drip line) so workers
don't park on the root system or stockpile materials
on it during construction," says Eaton. "Compacted
roots are probably the number one killer of trees on
a new house site."
Clearing for a view.
One of the key factors in determining which trees to
cut and which to save is the view. "I think the most
common reason people have for clearing, whether it's
for a new house or an old one, is the view," says
Ricketts.
"the most common reason people have for clearing is
the view." -doug ricketts
Occasionally, clearing for a view can be as simple
as taking away all the trees that obstruct your
vision. Yet, creating a view is about more than what
you take away. Sometimes you may want to leave a
prominent tree in place to serve as a focal point
when looking out the window. A large maple, for
example, may have ornamental value in the autumn. In
deciding where to clear, it is wise to survey your
land from key vantage points in your house; and you
should ask yourself: Where will the windows be?
Where are you most likely to sit and want a view of
the outdoors?
Disposal of trees.
Once you have cleared your land, you need to dispose
of the debris. Many companies will chip the top of
branches back into the site to use as mulch for
residual trees. Some trees removed from your land
still have value, and many companies will truck them
to a mill and credit your account for the difference
after trucking. The lumber market strictly
determines the value of the trees. Some species such
as maple and cherry may be valuable for saw logs.
other species such as pine and spruce tend to have a
lower value.
Small trees can be replanted.
"I dig out all the small trees I can with my
excavator and save them for the homeowner to plant
later," says Ricketts. "If you put these two- or
three-foot trees in the right environment and trim
them properly, you'll have a great nursery tree that
you don't have to buy."
No matter the reason for wanting to clear your land,
there's a lot of thought and planning that should be
done before you fire up the chainsaws, and it would
be wise to consult with a professional arborist.
The end result can richly enhance your enjoyment of
your land, and might even add value in the process.
Questions to ask an Arborist
When hiring an arborist you want to make sure that
you are getting someone qualified to do the job.
Flipping through the yellow pages will yield some
names, but it is unlikely that these listings will
provide you with the information you need to make an
informed hiring decision. Here are some things you
should check for when hiring an arborist.
ISA Certification.
Many states do not have licensing programs for
arborists. The International Society of
Arboriculture, however, offers a program that
certifies competent arborists through a voluntary
written exam. once certified, the arborists agree to
maintain their certification through continuing
education courses.
Membership in Professional Organizations.
Some states such as New Hampshire have their own
professional organizations such as the New Hampshire
Arborists Association that offer their own
certification programs. At the very least,
membership in such an organization suggests that an
arborist is keeping informed.
Proof of insurance.
Arborists should carry personal and property damage
insurance. Many times homeowners neglect to check
for insurance, warns Dave Neal. "I can't tell you
how many times I've done work for people and they've
never asked."
References.
Asking for references will help you evaluate whether
an arborist has expertise in similar jobs to your
own.
Estimate and Written agreement.
Ask the arborist for an estimate and written
agreement before any work begins. Among the
questions you should ask is what happens to the
trees that come down? Will the arborist be
collecting the money and crediting your account or
are you willing to let the trees go without
compensation? you may also want to designate who
will be contacting the proper authorities for any
necessary permits -- the arborist or yourself? These
details should be ironed out ahead of time.
Other Reasons for Clearing Your Land
Turning Forested Land into Pasture.
Even when clearing for a pasture you may not want to
remove all the trees. Although you want to create as
much grazing area as possible, a large tree in the
middle of the field can offer cows or horses welcome
shade on a sunny day. Your animals might also enjoy
some fallen fruit if you have some old apple trees
to leave standing along the perimeter.
Your main concern will be ensuring that all the
stumps are removed to prevent injury to the animals.
The biggest question, then, is how do you get rid of
stumps? Jason Eaton of Chippers has the answer: "you
can use a stump sheer to split the stumps into
smaller pieces, knocking the dirt out so you can
burn them, or you can hire someone with a tub
grinder to grind them. you can also haul them away
and pay by the ton, which is the more expensive
option."
As with most clearing, the pasture will need to be
maintained on an annual basis to keep brush from
reappearing. Some farmers choose to let the animals
do the maintenance. Goats and pigs, for example, do
not mind grazing on brush and weeds.
Reclaiming an Old Orchard.
Reclaiming an old orchard also requires a survey of
the land. "When pruning trees or reclaiming an
orchard, you want to be really delicate on the land.
I have seen people who have gone in and done a lot
of damage pruning the fruit trees in the field and
then taking out the other trees and leaving the
apple trees stressed and opened up to the sun and
environment," says Dave Neal. A survey by a
qualified expert will help you in determining which
trees to remove without harming the orchard and
leaving it unprotected.
Neal recommends reclaiming orchards in the winter
when felled trees are less likely to damage their
neighbors.
A
Checklist of Contacts
Town Zoning Board.
Contact them to find out if your community requires
a permit or to start the process of obtaining one.
If you wish to remove trees on a scenic roadway,
chances are you'll need to be in touch with the Town
Zoning board.
Homeowners' Association.
If you live in a development or residential
community, you will very likely need to get
permission from the association before cutting down
any tree -- particularly if the work will affect the
overall look of the community.
Power Company.
If you will be felling trees near powerlines,
consult with the power company ahead of time.
Sometimes it may be necessary to turn off the power
to prevent injury.
Arborist or Landscaper.
Even if you are planning on doing the work yourself,
it is a good idea to have an arborist or landscaper
walk your land with you. These experts are likely
better qualified to identify diseased trees and
explain your options in removing trees.
|
