What Trees Should You Keep When Clearing Your Land in Wisconsin?

Pictures of trees showcasing a white oak, red maple, towering pines, and lush spruce.

When people think of land clearing, they usually picture bulldozers and chainsaws tearing through thick brush and overgrown trees. But here’s a fresh take: sometimes the best land improvement strategy is knowing what to preserve, not just what to remove.

At Midwest Land Solutions, we’ve seen firsthand how selective tree conservation can enhance everything from property value to soil health to wildlife habitat. Before you clear your land here are a few types of trees you might want to consider tagging and keeping.

1. Oaks: The Deer Magnet

Oaks, especially white and red varieties, are gold for wildlife. Their acorns are a critical food source for deer, turkey, and other game animals. Mature oaks can take decades to produce heavily, so if you’ve got them, you’ve got something many landowners would love.

Tip: Mark healthy oaks before clearing. They add value for hunting land and long-term timber potential.

2. Maples: Shade and Sugar

Sugar and red maples don’t just bring fall color, they provide sap for syrup and natural shade. They can also help create a natural buffer around your home or trails. Unlike many fast-growing softwoods, mature maples add a classic Wisconsin aesthetic and tend to hold their value over time.

3. White Pines and Spruces: Windbreak & Wildlife

Evergreens like white pine and spruce can serve as natural windbreaks and winter shelter for wildlife. In snow prone Wisconsin areas, keeping some conifers helps reduce snow drifting and erosion around open fields.

4. Birches and Aspens: Quick-Growers with Character

While often considered short-lived, birches and aspens can offer quick regrowth, support biodiversity, and create attractive edges to meadows or fields. Paper birch, in particular, adds striking contrast to your landscape.

5. Native Trees for Erosion Control

Steep slopes? Keep trees like basswood, hickory, and mature hardwoods with strong root systems. Their roots stabilize soil, slow water runoff, and reduce erosion risk, especially important near wetlands or drainage zones.

6. Aesthetic or Legacy Trees

Have a massive tree that’s been on the land longer than you? Consider keeping it as a centerpiece. A single old tree can add charm and even sentimental value, especially if you plan to build nearby.

A Strategic Approach to Clearing

Clearing land doesn’t mean flattening it. A strategic approach includes:

• Walking the property before clearing

• Identifying trees with wildlife, timber, or erosion control value

• Marking “keepers” with flagging tape

• Using a certified arborist if needed for high-value trees

In Wisconsin, landowners often focus on what needs to go, brush, invasive species and deadfall but the real magic happens when you choose what stays. Selective clearing not only saves you time and money but leaves your property better equipped for the future, whether that’s for hunting, recreation, resale, or simply enjoying the view.

Let Midwest Land Solutions help you map out a better plan for your land. Contact us today at (262) 470-7117 or via email at info@midwestlandsolutions.com.