I just moved into a house with a one-acre lot in the city, and there's a massive woodpile left by the previous owners in my backyard. It's full of tree limbs, grass clippings, and leaves, and I feel overwhelmed by how I'm going to get rid of it. Since I grew up outside city limits, I thought burning it would be simple, but I've realized that's not the case with city regulations. I'm considering lighting it during stormy weather to keep the flames controlled, but I'm worried this is a bad idea. Is there a better way to handle this pile?
3 Answers
Why not just get a burn permit? It might seem complicated, but making small controlled burns on weekends could keep things safe and legal. If the city doesn’t allow open fires though, maybe a burn barrel is the way to go instead, though that can also be a hassle!
I had to pay around $2000 to remove a massive dead tree and a huge pile of limbs from my backyard once. If I could do it again, I would probably just get a smokeless fire pit and have small fires to get rid of some debris gradually, especially in the fall. It’s way less stress than trying to burn a huge pile all at once.
Honestly, starting a bonfire might seem like a quick solution, but that could lead to way more trouble than it’s worth. I had a bonfire that went out of control once, so it’s not something I'd recommend. If you do decide to burn, definitely make sure you’re checking the fire regulations first.