Have you just purchased a wooded lot on which you plan to build? You must be so excited to get started! There are, however, many steps involved in making this dream a reality.
The first is to clear the land of unwanted vegetation. Here are some basic points to consider when planning this part of the process.
Develop a Plan
Before you begin, determine the building’s placement, footprint and type (for example, will the house be prefabricated or constructed on-site?). This information will help you put together a land clearing plan.
Next, walk the lot to select which trees you want to keep (see section 2). Note any big rocks that are in the way or trees with extensive root systems as they will require specialized equipment to dig out. Depending on the project’s magnitude, you can then decide whether to do the work yourself or to hire a professional instead. You must also contact the public utility companies to have them come and mark out the placement of the sewer pipes and other service connections, as the case may be. You can cut down any remaining trees slated for removal when construction is complete and you’re adding the exterior finishes.
Decide Which Trees You Want to Preserve
Unless the lot is already sparsely vegetated, some trees will have to be felled to make room for your new building. Identify which trees you wish to keep with fluorescent tape to ensure the clearing crew doesn’t cut them down. Trees provide a natural barrier against wind and heat. They also guarantee privacy and purify the air! If you’ve intentionally purchased a wooded lot, you’ll want to preserve some of the greenery.
Be aware, however, that trees located less than 5 metres from the building (for a prefabricated house) will have to come down. The minimum clearance for other types of structures is between 15 and 20 metres. This is to allow space for the heavy equipment and machinery needed during construction. Furthermore, even minor damage to the trunk, branches or roots from this equipment may be enough to kill a tree. Despite their size, they’re still fragile plants!
Can You Repurpose the Timber?
For environmental as well as aesthetic reasons, it’s a good idea to keep the wood from felled trees. It’s best to clear land in winter as the wood is dryer and sap flow is minimal. You can save the timber to make furniture, shelves, decorative accessories, or even floorboards.
You can’t use it to build the house’s framework, however. Construction beams must meet set standards to ensure that they don’t contain any defects, such as knots in the wood, which would weaken the structure. The branches can be chopped into logs and seasoned for the fireplace, or turned into mulch for the garden and landscaping.
The aim is to preserve as many trees as possible, not only to reduce the construction’s environmental impact but also to allow you to enjoy a lovely yard filled with mature trees.