Hey John,
first off—kudos to you and your father for recognizing the impact of past practices and working to restore the land. That kind of awareness and intentionality is what real land stewardship is all about.
For your 4–5 acres with rich humus and a future vision of a food forest, you’re already thinking along the right lines. Selective clearing using chainsaws and leaving key shade and diversity trees is a great start. I’d suggest looking into silvopasture techniques too it's a proven method of combining trees, forage, and livestock in a sustainable way.
Instead of using heavy machinery, which can further compact the soil, consider hiring a small crew for manual clearing or using lighter equipment like walk-behind brush mowers where necessary. A forestry mulcher on a compact track loader with low ground pressure can also be helpful if used carefully—it reduces vegetation to mulch that protects the soil and returns nutrients.
Your idea of grinding stumps and leaving roots in place is solid roots anchor the soil, and their slow decay adds organic matter. For erosion-prone, semi-hilly areas, contour swales or berms can help slow water runoff and recharge the soil. Integrating legumes and dynamic accumulators like comfrey early on can improve fertility and support your transition to perennial systems.
It sounds like your land could become an incredible regenerative agroforestry system over time. Keep observing, start small, and let nature guide the rhythm. You're on a meaningful path keep going!
