Fence Line Clearing – Agriculture

Fence line clearing removes the trees, brush, old wire and overgrowth that build up along farm fences, so you can reclaim tillable ground, make room for a new fence and keep falling trees out of your fields. Jordan Excavating LLC clears fence lines for farms and rural landowners across central and southeast Indiana, scheduling the work outside the growing season whenever possible.

Key Takeaways

• Overgrown fence rows shade crops, spread seedlings into the field and drop trees onto fields and roads during storms.
• Clearing is best done after harvest or before planting so active crops are not affected.
• Purdue Extension explains that Indiana adjoining farm owners generally build and maintain partition fences in equal shares, often split by the right-hand rule.
• Invasive shrubs such as autumn olive are spread by birds and can come back thicker if they are only cut, so plan for follow-up.
• Old fences are not always on the true property line, so confirm the boundary with your neighbor or a survey before clearing.

Why Should You Clear Overgrown Fence Rows?

Left alone, a fence row slowly turns into a strip of woods. Trees lean out over the field, shade and roots cut yields along the edge, and seedlings creep farther into tillable ground every year. Here is what clearing does for a working farm:

• Reclaims edge acres you are already paying taxes on
• Lets planters, sprayers and combines run closer to the line
• Removes dead and leaning trees before a storm drops them on crops, fence or a county road
• Clears the way to build a new fence or repair the old one
• Removes cover for invasive shrubs that spread into fields and woods

Purdue Extension notes that autumn olive, an invasive shrub regulated in Indiana, can produce up to 80 pounds of fruit in a single season, and birds carry the seed widely. One overgrown fence row can keep reseeding a whole farm.

When Is the Best Time to Clear a Fence Line in Indiana?

For most row-crop ground in Decatur, Rush, Shelby and Franklin counties, the best window is after harvest and before spring planting. Fields are open, crops are not in the way, and firm or frozen ground supports heavy equipment with less rutting. With the leaves off, it is also easier to see old wire, posts and the line itself. A few things affect timing:

• Soil conditions, since saturated ground ruts and compacts
• Whether the line borders pasture with livestock that need a fence in place
• Whether a neighbor shares the fence and needs to be part of the plan
• How many large hardwoods are in the row, since big trees take longer than brush

We will cover spring preparation in more detail in an upcoming article. The short answer is to plan clearing for the off-season so it never competes with planting or harvest.

What Does Indiana Fence Law Say About Line Fences?

Before we clear a boundary fence, we ask the landowner to talk with the neighbor. Purdue Extension summarizes Indiana partition fence law this way: adjoining owners of agricultural land build and maintain partition fences in equal shares unless they agree otherwise. Under the right-hand rule, neighbors meet at the middle of the fence and each takes care of the section on their right. If a neighbor will not do their share, the law sets out a process through the township trustee. Practical tips:

• Old fences were sometimes built on a mistaken line, so get a survey if there is any doubt.
• Agree in writing on who clears what and who pays.
• Remember that Indiana is a fence-in state, and livestock owners can be liable when animals escape through a faulty fence.

Purdue Extension does not provide legal advice, and neither do we. For a specific situation, talk with an attorney.

How Do We Clear a Fence Line?

Every fence row is different, but the work usually follows the same steps:

1. Walk the line with you to mark the boundary, gates, tile outlets and any trees you want to keep.
2. Pull old wire and posts where they can be reached, since embedded wire is a hazard for saws and equipment.
3. Cut and remove trees and brush, then pull stumps as needed.
4. Haul off or pile debris where you want it.
5. Rough grade the strip so it can be farmed, seeded or fenced again.

Our modern equipment lets us work close to the line without tearing up the field beside it. If the fence row sits along a wet area or ditch, we can look at drainage while we are there. Invasive shrubs that resprout may need follow-up, and Purdue Extension notes that cut stumps of autumn olive can be treated with herbicide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fence line clearing?
Fence line clearing is the removal of trees, brush, vines, old wire and posts that build up along a fence. On farms it reclaims unused edge ground, removes trees that could fall into fields or roads, and gets the line ready for a new or repaired fence. Jordan Excavating LLC does this work across central and southeast Indiana.

When is the best time to clear a fence row?
The best time is usually after harvest and before spring planting, when fields are open and crops will not be damaged. With the leaves off, wire and posts are easier to see, and firm or frozen ground supports equipment with less rutting. Work during the growing season is possible, but it is harder on crops.

Who pays for a fence between two farms in Indiana?
Purdue Extension explains that adjoining agricultural landowners in Indiana generally build and maintain partition fences in equal shares unless they agree otherwise. Under the right-hand rule, each owner handles the section on their right when standing at the middle of the fence. Talk with your neighbor first and consult an attorney for specific situations.

Do I need a survey before clearing a fence line?
If the fence is on a boundary and there is any question about where the line is, a survey is a smart step. Purdue Extension notes that some old fences were built on a mistaken assumption about the line, so they may not sit on the true boundary. A survey helps prevent disputes before trees come down.

Will brush grow back after a fence line is cleared?
Some will. Purdue Extension notes that cutting large autumn olive bushes can produce denser regrowth and recommends treating cut stumps with herbicide. Removing roots where practical, keeping the strip mowed or farmed, and spot treating resprouts all help keep a cleared fence line from filling back in over the next few seasons.

Get A Free Estimate

Tell us where the fence line runs and what is growing on it, and we will give you a straightforward plan. Request a free estimate online or call us at (812) 371-6999.

Related services: Grassed Waterways | Farm Pond Building | Commercial Land Clearing

Written by Cameron Jordan, owner of Jordan Excavating LLC, serving central and southeast Indiana for 10+ years. Last updated: October 22, 2026.

Sources: Purdue Extension: Fence Laws at a Glance | Purdue: Indiana Farm Fence Law | Purdue Extension: Invasive Species, Autumn Olive