Getting rid of tree brush

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I am trimming some trees in Mid Wisconsin. Have several large piles of brush. Cannot burn. Is there something (a spray or powder, etc.) to put on them to make them deteriorate more quickly.

-- Roland "Dutch" Gerdes (rolida@wirural.com), January 11, 2002

Answers

Can you rent a chipper/shredder? Especially if you rented it after you were done, so you could spend the whole weekend just shredding? Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 11, 2002.

I'll let you use my goats for free!!!!

-- Bear (Bearlyknow@aol.com), January 11, 2002.

Roland, we had the same question a few years ago. We made several trips to the town burn pit but that got old fast. We just started piling it up and then one weekend rented a chipper (huge thing that you'd hate to fall into) and chipped them up, we also took down several trees that we hated to have to take down but because of work being done here had to go. In one weekend we were able to crate a huge amount of mulch that I was able to use in the gardens. I think the rental was 175.00 a day and well worth it to us. We would have never finished the job if we had not rented the chipper.

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), January 11, 2002.

Piles of brush along your property lines can deter animals, especially dogs, and people from entering. Well dried brush makes great firestarter; have children break it up into proper length for your stove or fireplace. Brush piles can contribute to the diversity of wildlife on your property by providing habitat for nesting. You won't have to wait too long before a big pile will break down, at least to a much smaller one. Consider the advantages before you chip it all up, although that is one good alternative.

-- seraphima (gardener@com.post), January 11, 2002.

Just don't make your brush piles too big or leave them around too long. In some areas, they consider them to be wildlife refuges, and you won't be able to get rid of them. We bought a chipper/shredder, and have not regretted the decision. The occasional piece of brush we just throw back in the woods to decompose on its own.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), January 11, 2002.


There's a product that is used on stumps to help them deteriorate more quickly. I've never used it but it may help with your situation.(Stump-away or something similar). My first thought,(after a Giant chipper-shredder...fun, fun...;o) )was to keep the piles wet, if you can. Wet wood rots faster.

-- gilly (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), January 11, 2002.

i do not like to burn and if i can i slash the brush to give soil contact and it seems to rott out in a few years giving organic matter back to the soil big brush piles can get in the way and be a fire hazard a risk og some trespaser liting it just to cause trouble chipping is an option but a lot of work . if the material is getting soil contact then it wont stay too long any way

-- george darby (windwillow@fuse.net), January 13, 2002.

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