Natural Resources Conservation Service

Massachusetts

United States Department of Agriculture

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Brush Management 314

What it is

Brush management is the removal, reduction or manipulation of woody trees and shrubs.

How it helps

Managing unwanted trees and brush may help to restore desired vegetative cover to protect soil from erosion, reduce sediment, improve water quality, and enhance wildlife habitat and species diversity.

It may also be used to improve grazing conditions so grazing animals can easily access forage of better quantity and quality. Brush management can also be used to protect property from wildfires.

Learn more

Find NRCS Massachusetts technical information in the Field Office Technical Guide: eFOTG.

Photo Gallery

Click a photo below to see an enlarged version:

Multiflora rose, an invasive species, has taken over the edges of this field.

Title:	Brush Management 314: Multiflora rose (before)
Caption:	Multiflora rose, an invasive species, has taken over the edges of this field.
Location:	Massachusetts
Credit:	Vince Snyder, NRCS
Download:	jpg (Right click and 'Save As')

Mechanical treatment methods were used to remove invasive brush in this field.

Title:	Brush Management 314: Multiflora rose (after)
Caption:	Mechanical treatment methods were used to remove invasive brush in this field.
Location:	Massachusetts
Credit:	Vince Snyder, NRCS
Download:	jpg (Right click and 'Save As')

A large stand of glossy buckthorn, an invasive species, before control with brush management.

Title:	Brush Management 314: Glossy buckthorn
Caption:	A large stand of glossy buckthorn, an invasive species, before control with brush management.
Location:	Massachusetts
Credit:	Vince Snyder, NRCS
Download:	jpg (Right click and 'Save As')

Multiflora rose, an invasive species, before treatment with brush management techniques.

Title:	Brush Management 314: Multiflora rose
Caption:	Multiflora rose, an invasive species, before treatment with brush management techniques.
Location:	Massachusetts
Credit:	Vince Snyder, NRCS
Download:	jpg (Right click and 'Save As')

The edges of this field are overrun with brush. Brush management may be used to reclaim field edges.

Title:	Brush Management 314: Field with brush at edges
Caption:	The edges of this field are overrun with brush. Brush management may be used to reclaim field edges.
Location:	Massachusetts
Credit:	Vince Snyder, NRCS
Download:	jpg (Right click and 'Save As')

Trees and other plants can be choked by oriental bittersweet, an invasive species.

Title:	Brush Management 314: Oriental bittersweet
Caption:	Trees and other plants can be choked by oriental bittersweet, an invasive species.
Location:	Massachusetts
Credit:	Vince Snyder
Download:	jpg (Right click and 'Save As')

A stand of brush after treatment, now ready to be removed.

Title:	Brush Management 314: Brush after treatment
Caption:	A stand of brush after treatment, now ready to be removed.
Location:	Massachusetts
Credit:	Vince Snyder, NRCS
Download:	jpg (Right click and 'Save As')

Brush at the edge of a field is ready for removal after treatment.

Title:	Brush Management 314: Brush after treatment
Caption:	Brush at the edge of a field is ready for removal after treatment.
Location:	Massachusetts
Credit:	Vince Snyder, NRCS
Download:	jpg (Right click and 'Save As')