Vegetation Maintenance

Objective

To keep trails from being overgrown with vegetation by removing branches, weeds, and brambles that interfere with passage along the trail.

General Standards

• Width will vary with type of trail.
• Steep slopes with thin and unstable soils should have narrower trail tread as roots help to stabilize the slope.
• Height of trail clearing should be sufficient to allow a tall backpacker to pass unimpeded.
• Cut branches flush with the main stem; shrubs and trees should be cut flush with the ground to avoid leaving hazardous stubs (see Techniques below).
• Remove debris from trail; scatter if there are large amounts.
• Do not grub or remove trailside plants; the remaining plants and root systems help stabilize the soil.

Standards for low-use Wilderness and Non-wilderness Blue-Blazed trails

• The purpose for trail vegetation maintenance in these areas is to keep the trail open for light travel. Visitor convenience is not a primary objective.
• Trail vegetation should be maintained to allow hikers to pass (not necessarily in shorts) single file without contacting shrubs, weeds, briars, or branches about 1-2 feet on each side of trail.
• Trail vegetation should be trimmed as necessary in late spring; additional work during summer months may be necessary to maintain the required width and height.

Standards for moderate use Wilderness and Non-Wilderness Blue-Blazed trails

• The purpose for vegetation maintenance in these areas is to keep the trail open for moderate travel. Visitor convenience and safety are also considerations.
• Trail vegetation should be maintained to allow hikers to pass for the most part easily without contacting shrubs, weeds, briars, or branches about 2-3 feet on each side of trail.
• Entire trail should be maintained in spring and at least once during late spring; additional vegetation maintenance may be necessary to maintain the required width and height.
• Areas in front of blazes should be kept open to allow maximum visibility of blazes.

Standards for high use Wilderness and Non-wilderness Blue-Blazed trails and for the Appalachian Trail

• The purpose for vegetation maintenance in these areas is to keep the trail open and maintained for heavy travel. Visitor convenience and safety are also primary considerations.
• Trails should be maintained to allow hiker to pass easily without contacting shrubs, weeds, briars, or branches about 3 feet from each side of trail.
• The entire trail should be maintained in the spring and at least once more during the summer; wet areas, old field, and other sections prone to weed and briar growth should be cleared more often if necessary.
• Areas in front of blazes should be kept open to allow maximum visibility of blazes.

Techniques for Vegetation Maintenance

• The amount of vegetation maintenance is dependent upon the level of use the trail receives. For low-use areas, a minimal amount of maintenance should be undertaken.
• Low shrubs and young trees are cut flush with the ground to prevent tripping and to reduce sprouting from the stump and roots.
• Trim branches 1" from the main trunk of the stems to prevent snagging passing hikers and to prevent tree injury.
• Branches growing towards the trail should be cut back to the next limb growing away from the trail (to encourage growth away from the trail).
• It is better to remove all lateral branches than to remove the tree top since removal of the terminal bud will encourage lateral growth across the trail.
• Grubbing with a cutter mattock or pulaski may be necessary to clear the tread of long neglected trails; do not remove any more vegetation than is necessary to define the tread.

Equipment

• Long handled clippers (loppers)
• Weeders (swing blades)
• Small saws
• Pulaskis or cutter (#3) mattocks (for grubbing out vegetation in the trail tread)
• Power weeders (except in designated wilderness areas)
• Proper safety equipment (goggles, ear protection, gloves)