BRUSH MOWING AND INSECTS - Ask Extension
Hello,
I have several young ash trees, old raspberry bushes, tall grasses and weeds, and miscellaneous invasive shrubs all mixed together on my prope...
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BRUSH MOWING AND INSECTS #907603
Asked June 28, 2025, 11:59 AM EDT
Hello,
I have several young ash trees, old raspberry bushes, tall grasses and weeds, and miscellaneous invasive shrubs all mixed together on my property. I want to use a brush mower to take everything down so that I can start preparing for prairie planting. However, there doesn't seem a good time of year to do this without disturbing wildlife or insects! I don't want to kill anything if I can help it. Can you tell me when the best time of year would be to use the brush mower? Thank you.
Anoka County Minnesota
Expert Response
Yours is a very thoughtful approach. These articles should help and late Sept thru early November looks to be the best time. How late in the year its is possible to mow will depend on if we have another very long fall. We haven’t had Indian summer for several years so fall weather can’t be guessed at now.
https://www.patriotnr.org/blog/2024/12/31/when-to-mow-fields-minimizing-impacts-on-wildlife-and-beneficial-insects
https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eap.3022
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/2020-04/AFI%20Guide%20FINAL_0.pdf
https://oneearthbodycare.com/blog/how-to-mow-better-for-habitat/
https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/woodland_managemennt_for_butterflies_managingwoodland.pdf
https://www.patriotnr.org/blog/2024/12/31/when-to-mow-fields-minimizing-impacts-on-wildlife-and-beneficial-insects
https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eap.3022
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/2020-04/AFI%20Guide%20FINAL_0.pdf
https://oneearthbodycare.com/blog/how-to-mow-better-for-habitat/
https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/woodland_managemennt_for_butterflies_managingwoodland.pdf