Times like this I LOVE living in the Ozarks. This is a classic time for hiring an out of work guy with a truck. It's a win-win for everyone. He gets some money, you get your problem solved. Don't know anyone down on their luck? Ask your minister or even call around to some churches.

But before you do that, please take some time to come up with a plan. No sense pulling out something you don't need to. That little sapling might be a nice understory tree that will be just what's needed in a woodland setting. Too many people "clearcut" first and then plan it out second.

Sounds like a great project, though. I once went to a BBQ at a home where they did that. There were paths and many little nooks and sitting places and even a gazebo and a mini pond and bridge. All in amongst the trees in a yard no bigger than yours. It was heaven. You never even knew it was there from the street.

Tell me why that sounds so awful. Get some down on his luck guy and pay him peanuts but make sure he does a good job. O.K it with your minister first and when you realise what year it is shake yourself.

This sounds like a fantastic project - and yes, it will be well worth it. I also agree that a plan, and an inventory of what's on the property, is the best place to start. You can map out the yard yourself, armed with a real-estate plot plan, a tape measure, and a pad of graph paper - use the 4 squares to the inch kind, it works really well.

After you have the detailed map, you can work on the design, either with a landscape designer/architect or on your own. Since it will be a major investment in time and possibly money, don't hesitate to get professional help with the design, it will pay for itself if you find someone you can work comfortably with.

The project may seem overwhelming because of the current condition of the yard, but there are ways to deal with this that won't kill you. You should be able to hire someone to help with removing vines and brush. Alternatively, once you're got your plan, you can tackle small sections one at a time. It might be worthwhile to buy a gas-powered chipper - they're around $1000 for one that can handle brush easily, and if you have one on site you won't feel the need to do the project all at once. I know from experience that chipping brush all day is not fun - a couple of hours at a time isn't so bad.

And, with the chipper, you can leave the material in the woods to work as a mulch. It isn't pretty, but it will disappear in no time.

Be forwarned, it's probably full of multiflora rose and poison ivy! I wouldn't take out trees and bushes until I had a plan and an inventory. Exposed soil will just erode into the stream. This is something you can do gradually, bit by bit, if you work with what's there, one section at a time. I'd call the Cooperative extension, get a recommendation of a landscaper who works with native landscapes, or call a local watershed organization or local forester, they could give you some hints about how to go about it or maybe recommend a landscaper or connect you with someone who's done something similar. Ya gotta know what to clear and what to keep, which is quite a task if you don't know your plants. The debris is easy compared to that task.

Adamante, that's not what I said. Shame on you.

Thank you all so much for the great feedback. I wanted to get some actual pictures before responding.

First, I totally agree with the approach above, and now it makes sense. Its how I approach so many things but it didnt occur to me here. Scout it out and plan it before actually doing any of the execution.

I like the chipper idea and actually went to Home Depot. I wont buy one b/c Im not sure its worth it. But I did go to their heavy duty tool rental and saw this huge one that the landcapers use. $174 per day! Problem is, I think its too much machine for me and my yard is down a hill. I would love to throw everything I dont want in there and use it, as suggested, as mulch.

My only question is, how do I identify whats the stuff to keep and to get rid of? Right now everything's dead and I want to get into thise before things come back to life- thats when its a literal jungle out there. I guess that's where the professional consultation will come in?

To give you an idea what Im working with here's a pick from my back deck.

[IMG]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a290/bheron/000_0446.jpg[/IMG]

Alot of it is those crazy vines that have overtaken this side of the country. Some of them have roots that are 4" thick!

bheron, check out the woodland forum and also i'd highly recommend picking up _The American Woodland Garden : Capturing the Spirit of the Deciduous Forest_by Rick Darke for a quick Woodland Gardens 101. The basic steps are: identify what you have vs. what's invasive. Make paths through so you can enjoy walking in it. Then landscape later, once you know what you treasure.

Lucky you. Good luck with your tarzan vines!

Boy , I have to ditto pinkmountain. Think in terms of chunks of property for clearing and/or adding plantings. Also, you will likely be working outward--first the areas nearest your home, and for everday use, then the "vistas" beyond that. Otherwise, as pink said, you could develop a weed and maintenance nightmare.An overall plan is important, though you don't have to get paralyzed by extreme details. Try to figure out what you mean by "enjoy"--what do you want to do where.

I totally agree that you need to make an assessment of what's there, and develop at least a basic plan (even if that plan is just in the back of your mind). You may even want to wait a year so you can observe the plants that are there through the growing season, and perhaps gain a personal opinion about what plants appeal to you. Sometimes, all that is required to fully appreciate areas like this is a change in perspective, and maybe a way to better access the area so you can appreciate it.
The worst thing you can do, in my opinion, is to rush in headlong and "park it out" (man, do I hate this expression). Some clean-up, and some editing of the weedier plants will probably be required, but you need to be careful not to destroy that which caused this area to appeal to you in the first place.
Good luck to you.

If you're itching to get out and "clear" now would be a fine time to clear out all the multiflora rose that is in there. You can see it good with the leaves not out yet. Chances are, if it's green and thorny, you can hack it out to your heart's content. It's not enough to just cut down the canes of that stuff, you have to dig it out at the roots. Same with poison ivy. If the vines are very hairy, it's PI. Don't cut that either, it just spreads. Pull out the roots. Get some special protective gloves and other stuff depending on how allergic you are. Thorny bushes are probably barberry, that's invasive too. Clear all that out and you'll have a better idea of what to keep. And if you're not itching now, you might be by the end of this endeavor! :-)