Burn, Mulch or Haul? Getting Rid of Cleared Brush in Knox County

Burning: more limited than you might think

Inside Knoxville city limits, burning yard waste is prohibited. Elsewhere in Knox County, burning brush requires a permit from Knox County Air Quality Management, and only small brush grown on the property can be burned; stumps and construction-site debris are not allowed. Surrounding counties follow the state's Division of Forestry burn permit system from October 15 through May 15, and burn bans can be declared in dry weather. Always check current rules before lighting anything.

Mulching on site

Forestry mulching grinds brush and small trees into mulch right where they stand. No burning, no hauling, and the mulch protects bare soil on slopes. For most brush and invasive-plant clearing around Knoxville, it's the simplest option.

Hauling and grinding

For larger trees, stumps and building sites, debris may need to be ground with a tub or stump grinder, or loaded and hauled away. Hauling is usually the most expensive choice, so it's worth asking whether part of the debris can be mulched or chipped and left on site.

Questions to ask your contractor

• How will debris be handled, and is that included in the quote?
• Will anything be burned, and who handles permits?
• Can wood chips or mulch be left in a specific area for my use?

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