Goats. Get some...................
Zoysia................
I purchased 32 acres in rural KY about 7 years ago. 25 acres are wooded. The first thing I learned was about the bugs here. The second thing was about Permathrin (insecticide you actually spray on your clothing).
The third thing I learned was when Tractor Supply has the huge bottles of herbicide on sale (like Roundup.
I also bought a used tractor and use those heavy nylon tie downs to drag logs around.
And I got a GOOD weed whacker and a couple of 10” diameter steel cutters with an edge that is identical to a chain saw, regarding the blades. You even sharpen it like a chain saw. That sucker cuts through saplings, etc. up to 4” in diameter like a knife through butter. Two blades for $20 on Amazon.
Thanks for saving the trees. I live in a wooded subdivision with large lots (1 acre) and I had a neighbor move in next door and cut them all down because he wanted grass.
If it is a lawn or meadow you want as the end result, the most important issue in my opinion is how you grub out the stumps and shallow tree and brush roots.
Trees can be removed in any number of ways if time is not the issue. Removing the stumps, root balls, shallow roots and the like is a different matter. Check out the legality of burning (with or without a blower for full combustion) the future brush pile. If that is not legal or something you can manage you need to use a grinder of some sort to get the debris to a state where it is easy to load or decompose. Is there any ravine area needing fill?
Probably to dense to burn some of the underbrush. Fire does wonders to quickly clear underbrush and get ready for new growth. But it is hard to use in dense tree growth. I’m not sure if you can do some controlled burns on your property. But I thought I would throw it out there for consideration.
My only experience is for hunting properties (FWIW).
Nuke it from orbit with herbacides. If anyone asks, tell them it is organic. You can even write “Organic” on the Roundup bottle with a sharpie.
Go with big equipment early and often.
Get somebody to run the equipment unless you know what you are doing. I own a large backhoe and I still am better off having someone else run it.
Don’t even think of burning the poison ivy. Put some body oil on your skin, put on long sleeve protective clothing, glasses and gloves (if you are allergic to poison ivy) and gather those vines by hand, bag them up. You can shred the rest in a chipper shredder. Wood that works for mulch can be chipped in one pile, leaf and twigs shredded into a compost pile.
I always found it easiest to clear out all vines and undergrowth, remove those. Then you can better see which tree branches you want/need to get out of the way to make room for bibber cuts, and direct your shaded/sunny areas. Be organized in your work, clear and clean so you don’t have trip hazards and housing for potential unwanted animals.
Be cautious around brush and piles sinc3 both poisonous and non poisonous critters like to take shelter in them. Do a little at a time. Use logic.
I second the goats recommendation.
Heritage breed cattle, not the pampered sissy cows, also will do a good job.
Pigs are great for getting stumps out. Bore four holes around the stump, toss in some corn and away they go.
Whatever you do don’t burn poison ivy. The smoke can kill.
Are you sure that the poison ivy is in fact poison ivy?
Moast people mistake ‘Virginia Creeper’(harmless) for poison ivy.
It’s probably too late now but anytime you want to clear underbrush, vines, and small trees hire one of these guys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAgKjMxHTek
Leave a couple dead trees for the woodpeckers and other small birds like titmice that need nesting cavities so they’ll stick around to eat bugs.
Make sure you don’t brush hog until you know what you’ve got- a lot of grow-over FL land has beautiful azaleas on it that could b mistaken for just “brush” when not in bloom, and there might be blueberry bushes, ground orhids, etc., in there too.
You’re probably going to have to address moles since it’s been wooded. Moles and lawns are not a happy combo for the landowner....
I use chickens to clear undergrowth here and till everything up....but I’m lazy and have the time. They eat moles too...
Buy either a std tractor or upscale lawn tractor w dump trailer. Also get a decent chainsaw, Honda 2200 generator, extension cord, and alligator looper. It eats through light brush and up to 4” diameter limbs. I like the Ryobi electric pruner with extension pole.
4 acres is a lot to handle. Power equipment is a necessity.
If so, then your best bet is to hire someone with a bulldozer. If you can burn they will put the debris in a pile for you to burn. A little more expensive but the results are much quicker.
If you are only interested in finishing off just the 1 acre then I suggest someone that has a combination backhoe and front end loader. Then they can even clear out some of the underbrush between the trees you plan to leave up.
Just be watchful for the vines that slither...Florida, yuk.