What Can You Do With A Large Brush Pile?

Brush piles have a sneaky habit of growing larger and larger without you really realizing it. One day, it's just a pile of leaves in the corner of your land. Look away for what seems like an instant, and it becomes a cumbersome pile of branches, leaves, twigs, and other debris. Then what do you do with it? Dealing with a large brush pile may seem like an overwhelming prospect, but there are actually a few easy ways to do so.

Burn the pile

If you simply do not have a lot of time and need the brush pile gone ASAP, then burning it is an option. Make sure the brush pile is far from any trees or other structures. Keep a hooked-up hose nearby so that if the fire starts to spread, you can put it out ASAP. Then, light some of the leaves on fire, and let it go. It's best to do this on a dry day when it's not windy to prevent accidental fire spread. Make sure that burning leaves and brush in your backyard is legal where you live before trying this yourself.

Compost and use the brush yourself

If you don't have a recycling center near you, but you have a little energy and gumption, you can mulch and otherwise recycle the brush pile yourself. Most rental centers have small mulchers that you can rent out by the day for an affordable price. Before you rent one, separate your brush pile into sticks and leaves, so you're ready to go when the mulcher arrives. Send all of the sticks through the mulcher, and set it up so that the mulch empties out the other end onto a tarp. Use the mulch to cover your garden beds.

As for the leaves, you can bury them in dirt in a corner of your garden. As you come across veggie scraps and other organic matter, add them to the pile. Turn it over every month or so. Before long, you'll have rich compost that you can use as fertilizer. 

Have an organic recycling center pick it up

Research to see whether there are any organic recycling centers near you. These centers take branches and twigs and grind them up into mulch for people to use in their gardens. The larger ones may also accent leaves and other debris, as they will compost it into mulch. Most will come to pick up your brush piles; they might even pay you a small sum when do so. Donating the brush to an organic recycling center is an eco-friendly solution since, ultimately, the brush will be broken down and put back into the planet.

Get in touch with an organic recycling center in your area to learn more about your options for dealing with brush and other things.