Whether you’re preparing a new construction site for development or want to clear invasive plants from your lot, land clearing is a great task to take on in the winter. Due to colder temperatures, the ground will remain hard, allowing heavy equipment to operate without disrupting the underlying soil. Land clearing in the winter will also help prepare your landscape for healthy growth in the spring. But despite these advantages, you might still encounter a few obstacles throughout the season. To ensure you get the best results, here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning for clearing land in the winter.

3 Tips for Planning Land Clearing in Winter

1. Add Time for Snow & Ice Delays

Since snow and ice accumulation can take the community by surprise, you should always expect these weather dilemmas to occur. By expanding your project timeline to accommodate these events, you can remain on schedule if the site is frozen, covered in snow, or hard to access with heavy equipment. If the weather remains agreeable, you’ll have a few extra days on your timeline.   

2. Prioritize Tasks Based on Temperature

If you face cold temperatures and inclement weather, it’s best to focus on tasks that can still be completed despite the elements. For example, clearing brush and felling trees can usually be done whether there’s snow on the ground or not.

Other tasks, however, may not be feasible in low temperatures. Specifically, any work that involves excavation of the soil may not be possible when the ground is frozen.  If ice or snow is present, hauling away heavy objects—such as trees and rocks—may have to wait until the weather warms up.

3. Reassess Drainage

After winter, the soil on your lot may experience considerable changes. Soil compaction and erosion, for instance, can cause your land to become uneven which may pose problems for drainage. In general, you want to make sure the land is graded in a way that encourages water runoff to flow away from the property, preferably toward a drain. Additionally, pits formed in the ground should be filled with fresh topsoil to keep the land healthy and maintain a stable construction area.

Knowing that land clearing projects can require in-depth strategic planning, Weddle Enterprises offers comprehensive services to simplify your commercial site work in Pulaski County. Backed by four decades of experience and high-quality tools, these specialists can comfortably handle jobs of any size or difficulty—including those that require excavation, demolition, utility work, and grading. Visit this Somerset, KY, site work contractor online to learn more about their capabilities, and call (606) 678-4057 to speak with a professional about your project.