How much clearing/trimming?
 

How much clearing and trimming do you do? The tree that I normally hunt from has gotten so overgrown that I can't even see the ground from the stand. I realize I am a little bit behind the power curve with prepping my stand. I am assuming it will be as much as it takes.

If you can't see to shoot you may as well stay home, you have to do the amount of cutting you need to see.

Trim enough to see decently and for a good clear shot....leave enough to conceal Yourself if possible!

As was said before, as little as possible, as much as necessarily needed!!!! If you can get away with just 2 small shooting lanes, do so. Are you shooting bow or gun? With a gun, you will need a smaller window. If you are going to use the stand for both, do as much as you absolutely havce to. They notice EVERYTHING out of order in a very short time!!!

Since it's late I wouldn't get too carried away but if you're using an extendable saw and cutting alot above normal level you should be fine.

here is one of my set ups lots of back cover but a clear shooting lane..I do have good cover to the right and left but directly in front it's fairly open.. I have had as many as 10 does in front of me with no issues