Clearing the Bluff: A New Specialty?
Fieldworks is about to begin a project that perfectly represents what we are here to do. We have been hired to clear a cliff area on a private property in northeast Alabama, about 30 minutes from Chattanooga, TN. It is about 75 ft high, the brow is overgrown with weeds and shrubs, and the base of the bluff is filled with mature trees that have slowly grown up and obstructed the view. This is not the kind of work that can be done safely with a rented brush mower or a chainsaw on a Saturday afternoon. It takes planning, the right equipment, and people who know how to work with the land instead of against it.
The bluff itself is about 500 ft long. It overlooks a wooded hollow, and in the distance there is an amazing view looking at Covenant College and Lookout Mountain. We walked the site with the landowner last week and talked through what they envisioned. Their goal is simple but meaningful. They want to be able to see the valley again. They want to improve the look of their property and make it safer for family and friends to enjoy.
The first step in a project like this is always safety. Our crew will start by carefully clearing the upper edge of the bluff, using chainsaws, hedge trimmers, and weedeaters to take down smaller trees and brush. Larger trees down below, some reaching sixteen inches in diameter, will be felled in controlled sections. We are subcontracting a skilled mini excavator operator who can work from the top and use the machine’s reach to handle the ledges a few feet down over the brow of the bluff.
The plan is to leave the felled trees down in the bluff where they will stabilize the ground and provide natural habitat. This choice saves hauling costs for our client and reduces the risk of erosion that can happen when too much material is removed. It is a practical approach that balances the landowner’s wishes with the long term health of the property.
Our work will include:
Clearing all brush and small trees along the bluff brow.
Cutting and placing larger trees safely on the slope below to avoid erosion.
Coordinating subcontractors, equipment, and scheduling for efficiency.
Protecting the surrounding property by keeping our equipment footprint small.
The contract for this job is $4,290. Out of that, more than $2,000 goes toward machines and transportation, and about $900 covers skilled labor for this dangerous project. Travel, fuel, insurance, and subcontracting fees account for much of the rest. Jobs like this show why we keep our pricing transparent. Clearing a bluff might look simple from a distance, but the reality involves logistics, experience, and careful work.
This project matters to us for more than just the numbers. I. We want to give property owners a professional option that respects their land and delivers on promises. When we finish, the landowner will have a clear view of the valley below and a safe, usable bluff edge.
We will share updates and photos around the project. If you have a steep or overgrown property that seems impossible to reclaim, this job is proof that with the right planning and the right team, even the most challenging terrain can be transformed into something beautiful and usable.