Questions about clearing land???

[tommyanunnaki]

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum. I couldn't figure out where to put it.

I went to look at a property yesterday in Southern Georgia. Its 64 acres in total. 25 acres are in beautiful bermuda hay field. The remaining land was listed as "wooded".

The "wooded" area is just garbage. They have harvested every tree of any value and they have left behind all of the scrub, busted trunks, and garbage.

Does anyone have any idea of a ball park price on what it would cost to get a machine in here to clean all of the rest of the garbage up. There are a lot of trees that are about as big around as a decent sized cantaloupe and there is a ton of brush and garbage too.

I am attaching an aerial picture of the property. I would like to make an offer because I can use the 25 acres of pasture now, but I don't want to take a beating in my wallet cleaning the rest of it up.

Thank you in advance for any thoughts.

Also, there is a good flowing draw on the property that fills the pond you see in the upper right hand side of the picture. I'm sure that I would have a mad neighbor, but if I did get this property I would be using that water to fill my own pond and his would probably suffer at the expense of my pond.

Red line is the property line.

Blue line is the draw where water runs.

Yellow line is where power enters the property.

Any thoughts are welcomed.

[DaleK]

$1000/acre

[SkizzlePig]

Something to consider is disposing of the slash. I've found *that* is the most expensive. If you have a place where they can pile the slash and you can "handle" the slash later, that would be the least expensive option. Then, you only have to pay for the machine hours, not transport and disposal.

[COWS]

First, I don't know how much it will cost to clear that land. I would ask locally for reliable contractors and interview more than one of them.

I live in SC but have been to the farm show in Moultrie for a good many years. We drive down and enjoy the countryside. That area has vast numbers of gnats and mosquitoes and I am surprised that a lot of people there have varying sized ponds which have to add to the insect population. I suspect that the previous owner would have built a pond to irrigate his Coastal Bermuda if there was enough water availiable to do so since CB is a very valuable hay crop. Don't know what your plans are for the water, but you may need some legal advice about what you can do in the pond building situation. I have no idea. I think permits are required. As an example of possible problems, a local water company wanted to build a dam on a small stream in a deep and long watercourse and pump water into it from a river which was close to the proposed dam site. They foolishly bought, under threat of condemnation, land for the lake. Then they were unable to get a state permit. They had to build a pumping station to get water out of the aforementioned river plus from another one over a ridge, at great expense to the people served by the water company. I mention this to caution you about difficulties you may have in your project, not that I know anything about rules in GA.

COWS

[am1too]

Kind of unusual power line location. Usually the power line comes from the road. The way it is give you more privacy IMO.

The way I see it on the pond is it would have an over flow or spillway. The only way your neighbors pond would suffer is if there isn't enough rain to fill your pond. Anything would only be temporary. I see multiple ponds on a draw as you call it.

I would work on the wooded part as time permitted. Just going through and cutting brush as high as you can reach does wonders. I have a small tractor and can pass through 5 feet. The FEL is great for taking down green briar and other vines.

The slash I would pile up and throw a little dirt on it. Depending on what the slash is you might just get by with brush hogging. My small tractor and hog will handle old pin slash easily. I hog slash from cutting fire wood.

[rambler]

Cleaning such a deal up is time vs money.

If you fence it and gaze it and work on it evenings, you can have it cleaned up into a pasture fairly well in 5-7 years or so, only cost is clearing and fencing the perimeter. But it takes time.

If you want it done this year sort of deal, you need a place to put the junk, so you will have a big pile or piles of debris, and around that $1000 an acre invested. But it will be cleared and nice and fairly clean, with a root raking and all.

Some areas have a lot of rules about moving natural water, my state sure does. Perhaps yours does not. Here we are too wet and try to get rid of water and ponds the issue is always dumping water on someone else. Where you are it seems the opposite issue.

Nice looking property, but I don't see any road. How is access provided? I would want a good standing, clear easement provided if that is how it will be done. Easement access is often one of the biggest thorns and troubles on property lots without a public road touching it. People get real upset when traffic patterns change on their property.......

Edit: I see there is a road on the left, and a bit of a trail in. Are you planning on building here, or just a hay field? The location of power and location of the trail and the location of the creek is a bit puzzling, as to how that fits together for a building site. Had me thrown off until I enlarged the pic a bit.

Paul

[sidepasser]

Best thing for you that costs the least, get brush goats and let them eat up all the browse. They will strip the trees of bark, kill all the undergrowth, and reproduce.

There is a goat auction down your way, check it out. Just get regular ole briar goats, don't spend a fortune for good milk goats as they won't produce very well on that type of land. (Udders will suffer as well)..brush goats or meat goats will be ok. They will clean up that mess and return to you a bunch of kids to sell.

Many, many folks have cleaned up land that way. The best way to start is to use electric fence, and fence off a couple of acres and let the goats clear it out, then move the fence to the next couple of acres. Sounds slow, I know, but it will work and you will not spend a huge amount on bulldozers which will compact your soil. The goats also will spread fertilizer for you. Ask any old timer down your way about using goats to clear "clear cut" land.

[Rustaholic]

Originally Posted by rambler

Cleaning such a deal up is time vs money.

If you fence it and gaze it and work on it evenings, you can have it cleaned up into a pasture fairly well in 5-7 years or so, only cost is clearing and fencing the perimeter. But it takes time.

If you want it done this year sort of deal, you need a place to put the junk, so you will have a big pile or piles of debris, and around that $1000 an acre invested. But it will be cleared and nice and fairly clean, with a root raking and all.

Some areas have a lot of rules about moving natural water, my state sure does. Perhaps yours does not. Here we are too wet and try to get rid of water and ponds the issue is always dumping water on someone else. Where you are it seems the opposite issue.

Nice looking property, but I don't see any road. How is access provided? I would want a good standing, clear easement provided if that is how it will be done. Easement access is often one of the biggest thorns and troubles on property lots without a public road touching it. People get real upset when traffic patterns change on their property.......

Edit: I see there is a road on the left, and a bit of a trail in. Are you planning on building here, or just a hay field? The location of power and location of the trail and the location of the creek is a bit puzzling, as to how that fits together for a building site. Had me thrown off until I enlarged the pic a bit.

Paul

As I see it the left side of the line is almost on the road.
The trail you wrote about is across the road leading to something on the other side of the road.

[Rustaholic]

I agree with the goats.
Yes you can eat goats.
Just hack out the border and put up a fence.
As soon as you have your goats working on that area start clearing a path for the next area you want them to work on.
I also am asking if you are planning to move there.

[Michael W. Smith]

I guess my question to you would be - what is your final outcome for the 39 acres - what are you looking to do with it in the future?

Those trees that are cantalope size - will grow. Just make sure they are trees that are not damaged and the kind of tree worth logging. In 10 - 20 years you could be having some trees logged and making money from it. You can clear out the junk trees yourself - just cut them down and pile them up into piles. Those piles make good cover for wildlife. And the wooded area could be a great place to hunt - you could even lease it out to make money.

Clearing land - as in turning former wooded land into hayfield or pasture is a costly process. Goats will do it - but it takes time - they can at least clean up the undergrowth - just don't leave them in too long or they will chew all the bark off the good trees and kill it.

You may want to build your house in that 39 acres - keep your house hidden and you can have your privacy.

Don't be in too big of hurry to clear the wooded area - figure out what you want to do with it before you do anything.

[tommyanunnaki]

Originally Posted by am1too

Kind of unusual power line location.
There is a paved road off to the right - see the little baby powerline cut through off the right of the map

I see multiple ponds on a draw as you call it.
I'm thinking two small ponds if I can manage it. That makes it a lot easier to get the cattle to the water.

Originally Posted by sidepasser

Best thing for you that costs the least, get brush goats and let them eat up all the browse. They will strip the trees of bark, kill all the undergrowth, and reproduce.
The wooded area is crap. It is very low on edible green brush. It is very thick with sticks, broken trunks, dead tree tops, and other non edible tree pieces.
.

Originally Posted by Rustaholic

I agree with the goats.
I also am asking if you are planning to move there.
Yes

Originally Posted by Michael W. Smith

I guess my question to you would be - what is your final outcome for the 39 acres - what are you looking to do with it in the future?
My final plan involves miniature livestock; cattle, sheep, pigs, goats etc. Also there will be chickens and possibly ducks and goats. Then there will be an acre of two of grain for animal feed. A pond or hopefully two small ponds. Obviously, fruit and nut trees and maybe berries if I can figure it out. Vegetable gardens. Also, boerboels and maybe australian cattle dogs. Turkeys might be another venture. Basically, this place will be almost completely self sufficient and will hopefully make a few dollars every year (literally a few, not planning on making more than maybe $20,000 if everything goes great.

Thanks for all of the input. I'm also considering another piece.

I will put the other piece and the description in a new reply on this thread so it doesn't get lumped in with this response.

[tommyanunnaki]

This is the other property. Its about 62?ish? acres. So, basically the same size as the first piece. This property has no pasture yet, but it is SO SO SO much cleaner than the other piece. No electric or any utilities on this piece, which is just fine with me as I am going with solar and other off-grid green type systems.

As with the other property, this hardwood draw directs water toward the top of the property. I'm hoping to be able to put a pond on each side of those trees at the top of the map. Just small ponds, nothing crazy. Just to water the stock.

This property has been properly cleared already, but has absolutely zero grass on it. I would have to burn a few piles of stuff that is there, spread the ash if I can, and then seed pasture. So, it would be at least a year before I could put any grazing animals on this property.

[Allen W]

There is no way of giving a solid answer with out seeing the actual area. The $1,000 an acre estimate is good general estimate. If it is something that could be cleaned up and pushed into rows or piles you might get by cheaper. You would need to get some one to look at it to get a better idea of price.

[am1too]

Originally Posted by tommyanunnaki

Thanks for all of the input. I'm also considering another piece.

I will put the other piece and the description in a new reply on this thread so it doesn't get lumped in with this response.

Did not see any road on the right of your picture. Sorry.

I would say you are overly ambitious for the property. I did not gather you wanted to make the wooded area pasture immediately. If so by all means bring in a dozer and have a huge fire. I do not think the property is big enough to support your fantasy.

[am1too]

Originally Posted by tommyanunnaki

This is the other property. Its about 62?ish? acres. So, basically the same size as the first piece. This property has no pasture yet, but it is SO SO SO much cleaner than the other piece. No electric or any utilities on this piece, which is just fine with me as I am going with solar and other off-grid green type systems.

As with the other property, this hardwood draw directs water toward the top of the property. I'm hoping to be able to put a pond on each side of those trees at the top of the map. Just small ponds, nothing crazy. Just to water the stock.

This property has been properly cleared already, but has absolutely zero grass on it. I would have to burn a few piles of stuff that is there, spread the ash if I can, and then seed pasture. So, it would be at least a year before I could put any grazing animals on this property.

How far away are these properties form a reasonable large town (not necessarily Atlanta)? I am thinking resources for organic matter and other necessary support systems such as tractor parts and repair.

[AmericanStand]

Doesn't the guy with the pond have the first dibs on the water?

To me it looks like the timber ground is the best part of the land ! I guess we all see things differently!