What does land clearing involve?
Land clearing removes the trees, undergrowth, vines, and stumps from a piece of ground. We start by marking the boundaries and any trees you want to keep. Then we cut and remove the trees, mulch or haul the brush, and pull or grind stumps depending on what's going in next. On a lot right beside existing buildings, we take down individual trees near the property line by hand before bringing in heavier machines.
When do you need land cleared?
- Before excavation for a new building or addition.
- To open up an overgrown back strip for a yard or play area.
- To create space for parking or a driveway.
- To get rid of invasive growth like tree of heaven and multiflora rose that has taken over.
Why is clearing wooded ground here slow work?
The ground is stony, with boulders and ledge rock left behind by glaciers. Roots wrap around those rocks, and hidden boulders slow down machines. Wooded edges often hold dead ash and thinning hemlock that are brittle to cut. Sites are usually squeezed between existing buildings and roads, so every tree has to fall in a controlled direction.
What affects the cost of land clearing?
- Size of the area and how thick the trees are.
- Tree size, since big hardwoods take more cutting and hauling.
- Stump handling, grinding in place versus full extraction.
- Slope, rock, and wet spots that limit equipment.
- Debris plan, chipping on site or hauling everything away.
Should you clear the whole lot or keep some trees?
Keeping a few healthy trees at the edges adds shade and privacy. The catch is that trees within the construction zone rarely survive once roots are cut and soil is packed down. If a tree is close to where the foundation is going, it's usually better to remove it now than to pay for removal later when it's dying beside a finished building. When stumps can stay below grade, grinding the leftover stumps is cheaper than digging them out.