Professional Lot Clearing for New Construction

Building on Wooded Land in Northern Minnesota

The Duluth area offers beautiful wooded lots for new home construction. Hermantown’s growth has opened numerous parcels of forested land. Lake Superior’s North Shore attracts cabin builders. But before construction can begin, these sites need professional clearing.

Lot clearing isn’t just cutting down trees—it’s a systematic process of:

• Removing trees from the building envelope and access areas
• Clearing brush and understory vegetation
• Grinding stumps below grade for construction
• Managing debris responsibly
• Protecting trees designated to remain

Done right, lot clearing prepares your site for construction while potentially preserving valuable mature trees for shade, privacy, and aesthetics.

Our Lot Clearing Services

Full Site Clearing

For projects requiring complete clearing—large building footprints, commercial sites, or lots where trees aren’t a priority—we remove everything:

Trees of All Sizes

• Understory saplings and brush
• Mid-size timber
• Large mature trees requiring technical removal

Brush and Vegetation

• All shrubs and brush chipped on-site
• Debris piles from previous activity
• Deadfall and blowdown

Stumps

• Grinding 6-12 inches below grade (deeper for construction zones)
• Root removal as needed for footings
• Soil preparation for grading

Selective Clearing

Many homeowners want to preserve specific trees:

Identifying Keepers Our arborist helps you decide which trees to save based on:

• Species and expected lifespan
• Health and structural integrity
• Location relative to house placement
• Shade value and aesthetics
• Native vs. invasive species

Protecting Preserved Trees Clearing around trees requires care:

• Fencing trunk and root zone
• Avoiding soil compaction
• Minimizing root cutting
• Preventing equipment damage

Working Around Keepers Selective clearing takes more time but preserves mature trees that would take decades to replace. A strategically saved tree provides immediate shade, screening, and value.

Driveway and Access Clearing

Before heavy construction equipment arrives, you need access:

• Clearing path for driveway installation
• Creating turnaround areas
• Providing access for concrete trucks, lumber deliveries, etc.
• Utility corridor clearing

Brush-Only Clearing

Some properties need vegetation management without full tree removal:

• Overgrown parcels with small brush
• Invasive species removal (buckthorn, honeysuckle)
• Fire hazard reduction
• Trail and pathway creation

Duluth-Area Lot Clearing Challenges

Rocky Terrain

The Duluth area sits on the Canadian Shield, with:

• Shallow bedrock in many locations
• Glacial boulders throughout soil
• Trees rooted in rock crevices
• Limited soil depth affecting stump grinding

Our crew knows how to work with these conditions. We assess subsurface rock before quoting and adjust techniques accordingly.

Steep Grades

Many desirable lots—especially those with lake views—involve significant slopes:

• Equipment access challenges
• Erosion control requirements
• Tree felling direction constraints
• Debris management on hillsides

We’ve cleared steep hillside lots throughout Duluth and along the North Shore. Our equipment and techniques handle challenging terrain.

Wetland Buffers

Northern Minnesota has numerous wetlands protected by regulation:

• Buffer zones may restrict clearing
• Permit requirements near wetlands
• Best management practices required
• Seasonal timing restrictions possible

We coordinate with your surveyor and can advise on navigating regulatory requirements.

Long Winter

Lot clearing can happen year-round, but winter offers advantages:

• Frozen ground supports heavy equipment better
• Less soil compaction damage
• No vegetation regrowth to manage
• Often better scheduling availability

We clear lots through Duluth winters, working when conditions allow.

The Lot Clearing Process

Step 1: Initial Consultation

We meet at your property to understand your project:

• Building footprint location
• Driveway routing
• Trees to preserve or remove
• Timeline and coordination with other contractors
• Site challenges (terrain, access, utilities)

Step 2: Site Walk and Marking

Walking the property, we:

• Mark trees designated for removal (and protection)
• Identify equipment access routes
• Note underground utilities (Gopher State One Call)
• Assess hazards and special considerations

Step 3: Detailed Estimate

Our quote includes:

• Tree removal (itemized by size if helpful)
• Brush clearing
• Stump grinding to specified depth
• Debris handling
• Protection for preserved trees
• Timeline estimate

Step 4: Scheduling

We coordinate with your construction schedule:

• Allow time before excavation/construction
• Work around weather as needed
• Communicate progress and any issues

Step 5: Clearing Operations

Systematic clearing typically proceeds:

1. Remove equipment access obstacles first
2. Fell trees working outward from building area
3. Process brush (chip on-site)
4. Buck and remove logs
5. Grind stumps
6. Final cleanup and site tour

Step 6: Site Handoff

When complete, your lot is ready for:

• Survey staking
• Excavation
• Utility installation
• Foundation work

We walk the site with you to confirm completion.

Working with Builders and Developers

We understand construction timelines and coordinate accordingly:

Communication

• Regular updates on progress
• Immediate notification of problems (unexpected rock, discovered utilities)
• Flexibility when schedules shift

Site Conditions

• We leave sites accessible for follow-on work
• Stumps ground deep enough for construction
• No hidden debris left behind

Multi-Phase Projects For larger developments, we can:

• Phase clearing to match construction sequence
• Maintain cleared areas while other phases proceed
• Work around active construction

Areas We Serve

Hermantown The fastest-growing area for new construction, with many wooded lots:

• Miller Trunk Highway corridor
• Arrowhead Road area
• Lavaque Road developments

Duluth Urban infill and hilltop lots:

• Piedmont Heights parcels
• Woodland area
• West Duluth developments

North Shore Lakeside and cabin properties:

• Two Harbors area
• Silver Creek Township
• Lake County parcels

Superior, WI Development on the Wisconsin side of the Twin Ports

Get Your Lot Clearing Estimate

If you’re planning construction on a wooded lot, start with a professional assessment. We’ll walk your property, discuss your project, and provide a detailed quote.

Call (218) 555-0391 or contact us to schedule your free on-site lot clearing estimate.