When I got up to start work that morning, Lisa showed me this pile of small trees and brush that she cleared out. This is that fast-growing "tree of heaven" and it is no great loss.
Here's the area from which she cut all of that brush. There's no "before" photo, so you can't tell how much she removed, but it does make the area more accessible. You can just make out the stumps in the center left, next to the board that covers a hole in the side of the garage.
Eventually we will separate the brushy bits from the small amount that might be worth burning in the fireplace. Possibly we will buy another burn permit this autumn and do more brush burning.