PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGEI
50 May 2019 _ PopularMechanics.com PHOTOGRAPHS BY ZACH & BUAnd how to get rid of it—the
right way—in a single weekend.
/ BY HENRY ROBERTSON /T STARTED INNOCENTLY enough. (They
always do.) A small heap. Trimmings
from the hedges. Leaves. Weeds. Some
branches that blew down in the last
storm. You tossed the Christmas tree
on there. It was convenient. And you’ve
earned this, right? Look at my big yard!
I have a brush pile!
But now it’s a mountain that seems to
grow on its own. It’s unsightly. Brush piles
can harbor ticks, rodents, fleas, and snakes.
They can cause wildfires—the woody vege-
tation provides the fuel and the open, airy
assemblage speeds and spreads the flames.
The worst part? A brush pile alerts the
world that you’re a procrastinator, you don’t
care what your neighbors think, and you
don’t like getting your hands dirty. Since
none of these things is true, it’s time to
get rid of it.
Since it can be hard to know where to
start, create a post-brush-pile plan. What
do you want the land underneath the pile
to become? Maybe grass. Maybe a mulched
garden bed, or a compost heap. Maybe
just a smaller brush pile. And the brush
itself? Could be kindling, compost, fire-
wood, or trash.
Whatever you choose will dictate the
tools you use. Then, set aside a weekend to
get rid of the thing. Buy this stuff:- If you live in an area with snakes, invest
in snake-proof leggings such as the Scent-
Blocker Snake Gaiters. - Instead of using DEET, fight bugs
with the Thermacell Radius Zone,
which vaporizes a repellent and creates a
110-square-foot safe zone around you. - Work gloves.
- Boots.
- Sturdy pants—you’re going to get dirty.
We like the Double Knee N YCO Cargo Pant
by 1620, which is made in the USA.
Time to get to work restoring your yard,
and your self-image!
DON’T THROW
IT AWAY!
The limbs of
this tree will make
great firewood
next year.What Your
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