Question
Mark,
We live in central Alabama and bought a lake cabin for summer fun.  The lot was overgrown when we purchased and does not have water access at the moment.   The backyard to the lake is between a 30 to 40 degree slope with 4 hardwoods we would like to save.  The rest of the growth is underbrush and we would like to clear it so we can get to the lake (stairs or tram) and also have a clearer view.  We are worried about what kind of equipment we can use (bobcat?) to clear and also what to do after we have cleared to prevent erosion.  We would be fine with a natural setting because we do not want to mow grass and have tons of upkeep since it is just a weekend cabin.   Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Answer
Hello,

Doesnt sound like a BobCat could be used on a slope that steep.    Some type of hand held brush mowing machine sounds
like a better option but even that sounds like it could be dangerous on a slope that steep.   Perhaps you should consider using a chain saw or even hand tools.  There are various types of loppers and scythes for cutting brush and of course the machete. Grapling hooks might also prove useful. Perhaps they could be attached to a winch at the top of the slope and then used to pull the brush out.

To prevent erosion seed the slope with grass or ground cover.  Check with local experts for a suitable variety.  The seeding can be used in conjunction with erosion blankets (organic fiber blankets reinforced with biodegradable mesh).  Jute fiber is a common erosion blanket material but blankets are also made of materials like coconut fiber,wood and bark fiber.    The overlapping joints on the blankets must be sealed with staples and overall the blankets must have good ground contact or water will wash under the blankets and erosion will take place underneath.   The tops of the blankets must be keyed into the soil.

Use this in conjunction with straw wattles.   Straw wattles are tubes about 12 inches in diameter filled with straw.  They are staked at various points along the slope.   They slow down the water long enough for sediment to be deposited behind them. Instead of straw wattles you could use a silt fence at the foot of the slope and at points on the slope if necessary. A silt fence is a geotextile material stretched along stakes about three feet high.  The material must be keyed into the ground and backfilled.   The wattles must be placed in a shallow trench and staked.  They are biodegradable and can be left in place.  Straw wattles will not do well on a slope with heavy rain runoff,silt fences are more suited to that.



Some things that could reduce costs would be to chip the cleared brush and use that as mulch on the slope.  Cover it with mulch netting.   Loose mulch would have to be worked into the soil to prevent soil from eroding out from under it.
The seed is sowed under the mulch and also under erosion control blankets.   Straw bales could be used in place of silt fences or rocks and logs could be used as sediment control.
Wood chips deplete soil of nitrogen.   In order for the seedlings to thrive you will have to replace this nitrogen with a chemical fertilizer or use some kind of organic source.  Use twelve pounds of nitrogen fertilizer per ton of wood chips.  Good luck to you.  Feel free to ask further questions.

Mark  Harshman
http://www.mahdrafting.com
Email: [email protected]

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