Corridor Clearing: Pruning/ Side-Cutting/ Brushing

Skill Definition

Use pruning and brushing techniques to maximize safety, minimize visual impacts and support healthy trailside vegetation

Entry Level Performance

  • Use pruning and brushing techniques to maximize safety, minimize visual impacts and support healthy trailside vegetation with supervision (i.e. avoid damage to growth collar of pruned limbs, cutting saplings flush to ground, deposit clipped limbs cut side away from trail)

Full Performance Level

  • Use pruning and brushing techniques to maximize safety, minimize visual impacts, and support healthy trailside vegetation (i.e. avoid damage to growth collar of pruned limbs, cut saplings flush to ground, deposit clipped limbs cut side away from trail) independently

Expert Level Performance

  • Assess, plan and manage an efficient and safe pruning and brushing operation

Resources for Corridor Clearing: Pruning/ Side-Cutting/ Brushing

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Documents and Media for Corridor Clearing: Pruning/ Side-Cutting/ Brushing

Desert Brushing Techniques
Desert Brushing Techniques

In the second video of this series, we take a look at how to clear the trail corridor of brush, focusing on techniques specific to the desert environment. Keeping the corridor clear allows users to stay on the trail safely, protecting the…

Forest Brushing Techniques
Forest Brushing Techniques

In the fourth video of this series, we take a look at how to clear the trail corridor of brush, focusing this time on trimming larger branches and trees. Keeping the corridor clear allows users to stay on the trail safely, protecting the…


Further Education

Training Programs for Corridor Clearing: Pruning/ Side-Cutting/ Brushing

Foundations of Sustainable Trails e-Course Series
Foundations of Sustainable Trails e-Course Series

This five-part series of online micro-learning courses is intended to provide those new to the trails workforce with a baseline understanding of terminology and concepts that give them a solid foundation to support future trails education and…

Advancing Trails Webinar Series
Advancing Trails Webinar Series

American Trails brings agencies, trail builders, planners, architects, advocates, and volunteers the latest in state-of-the-art information on all aspects of trails and greenways. Our webinars focus on a variety of trail topics, usually applicable…

Chinook Associates Trail Consulting
Chinook Associates Trail Consulting

Chinook Associates offers stewardship skills workshops covering recreational trail planning, design, construction, maintenance, and visitor management. Courses are available either in-person, with fully customizable content combining classroom…

Trail Technician 1 Exam
Trail Technician 1 Exam

The Trail Technician multiple-choice exam evaluates foundational knowledge in trail development, aligned with the progression from entry-level to full Trail Competency standards.

Trail Fundamentals Video Series
Trail Fundamentals Video Series

The Professional TrailBuilders Association (PTBA) has launched the development of the Trail Fundamentals Video Series—a free, entry-level educational resource designed to support sustainable trail development and trail trainings worldwide.

IMBA Trail Care Schools
IMBA Trail Care Schools

Trail Care Schools equip volunteers and organizations with the skills necessary to maintain modern mountain bike trails in partnership with the local land management. This course will begin with sustainable trail design principles, such as drainage…

Custom Trainings

There are 51 trainers on TrailSkills
with Corridor Clearing: Pruning/ Side-Cutting/ Brushing experience

Hire Workers

There are 275 workers on TrailSkills
with Corridor Clearing: Pruning/ Side-Cutting/ Brushing experience

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Trail Skills Collaborators
Federal Highway Administration USDA Forest Service National Park Service Bureau of Land Management
American Trails Professional TrailBuilders Association Partnership for the National Trails System Northern Vermont University Northwest Arkansas Community College Eppley Institute Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals Washington Trails Association