When (and How Often) to Bush Hog Your Property

A rotary cutter, a "bush hog", pulled behind a tractor chews through tall grass, weeds, brush and even small saplings that a regular mower can't touch. If you own acreage, a vacant lot, or land with a long fence line, it's one of the most useful services out there.

Signs it's time to bush hog

• Grass and weeds are knee-high or taller.
• Young saplings and woody brush are starting to move in.
• You can't walk the property or see the fence line.
• The lot looks neglected, a problem if you're selling or renting.
• You want to reduce habitat for ticks, snakes and pests near the house.

How often should you do it?

It depends on your goals and how fast things grow, but here are the patterns we see most:

Once or twice a year (maintenance)

For fields and lots you just want to keep from turning into woods, a cut in late spring and again in late summer usually does it. This keeps saplings from establishing.

Every 4 to 6 weeks (manicured)

If you want a field that looks more like a rough lawn, for recreation, livestock, or curb appeal, a shorter cycle during the growing season keeps it tidy.

One-time reclaim

If a property has gone years without attention, the first cut is the big one. After that, a maintenance schedule keeps it easy.

The longer you wait, the harder (and more expensive) the first cut becomes. Once brush turns woody and saplings get thick, you're heading toward land clearing instead of bush hogging.

What to expect on the day

We walk the property first to spot hazards, stumps, rocks, old fence wire, and wet areas. Then we cut in a pattern that lays the material down evenly. Most residential lots and small fields are a same-day job. You're left with a knocked-down, walkable, far safer piece of land.