Whack Weeds: Join the Summer Trim Crew!
It’s that time of year again—nature is doing its thing, and the weeds are loving it. They’re growing tall, fast, and right into your handlebars. But good news: you can fight back—and make your local trails awesome in the process!
Trail magic doesn’t happen on its own. Almost all trail maintenance is powered by volunteers (yep, riders like you). Trimming is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to help out. It’s low-effort, solo- or duo-friendly, and super flexible—you can do it whenever your schedule allows. We’ve got the tools. You just need a quick 10-minute training with a trail steward, and then you’re off and trimming.
Trim Like a Pro (Not a Perfectionist)
Here’s the thing: trimming isn’t about tidying up the edges—it’s about clearing space before things get out of hand. If you just skim the trail edge, that fresh cut will vanish under new growth in a matter of days.
The rule of thumb: Trim as wide as the weeds are tall. If you’re looking at 3-foot-high growth, cut back a 7-foot-wide swath (3 feet on each side plus the trail itself). You can trim low and wide, or go for a 45-degree taper—either way, it’ll look a little wild at first, but trust us: come back in a week, and it’ll look perfect (instead of needing to be trimmed again).
Bonus points if you bring a buddy to follow you with a leaf blower—though trail traffic usually takes care of most of the cleanup.
Don’t forget to look up! Low-hanging branches and hidden face-scratchers lurk in prairie sections with scattered trees. Most can be taken out with the string trimmer, but a pocket-sized pruner is handy for the occasional stubborn branch.
Woody Plants? Trim Deep
Got buckthorn or honeysuckle? Go ahead and cut them way back. These woody invaders bounce back fast, so don't be shy. And always avoid leaving sharp, freshly cut branches near eye level on the trail—nobody likes a surprise poke in the face.
Big Impact
If we all pitch in, most trails only need trimming two or three times a season. A couple hours of your time now means smooth, flowy trails for everyone—no more swatting at your face or dodging overgrown turns.
So next time you curse the weeds for slowing you down, grab a trimmer and get revenge.
Ready to get started? Visit https://corptrails.org/trail-directory to connect with your local trail steward and offer to help!
