Land clearing and brush removal prepare your property for what comes next-safer access, healthier landscapes, and construction-ready building sites. Use Landscape Atlas to find local land clearing contractors who clear lots, mulch heavy brush, remove stumps, and rough grade sites. Compare services and request estimates from companies that work near you.

Husky Tree Services

S74w16860 Janesville Rd #292, Muskego, WI 53150

Husky Tree Services is a tree service and land clearing contractor based near Milwaukee, WI. They provide tree removal, stump grinding, and brush removal services for homeowners and businesses throughout Wisconsin. Their certified arborists use specialized equipment such as spider lifts and grapple saw trucks to ensure safe and efficient work while protecting the surrounding landscape. Husky Tree Services is fully insured and has received positive customer feedback. They focus on improving property safety and appearance through expert tree and stump removal.

5.0

552 Reviews

J.W. Kolp Tree Service LLC

milwaukee

J.W. Kolp Tree Service LLC provides tree removal, pruning, emergency storm and insurance tree work, and lot clearing in Milwaukee, WI. They serve residential, commercial, and municipal clients, offering services such as brush removal and stump grinding. The team emphasizes client communication and safety, guiding customers on tree health and property protection. They are fully insured and committed to maintaining a clean and safe worksite.

5.0

131 Reviews

Palasz Tree Service LLC

milwaukee

Palasz Tree Service LLC is a local tree care company based in Milwaukee, WI, offering a full range of tree services. They provide tree removals, trimming, pruning, stump grinding, land clearing, and brush removal for residential and commercial properties. Serving Southeastern Wisconsin, they handle everything from routine tree maintenance to the removal of diseased trees to help maintain property safety and aesthetics.

5.0

78 Reviews

Waukesha Lawn Service

675 N Brookfield Rd #107, Brookfield, WI 53045

Waukesha Lawn Service is a family-owned lawn care and landscaping company based in Milwaukee, WI. They provide full-season yard care services including lawn maintenance, landscape design, sod installation, yard drainage solutions, and snow removal. Serving the Waukesha County area and surrounding communities, they focus on creating healthy, well-maintained lawns and custom landscape renovations. Their team has over 30 years of experience and uses premium products to ensure lasting results. Waukesha Lawn Service offers year-round availability, including snow removal during winter months.

4.8

100 Reviews

His Workmanship - Milwaukee

milwaukee

His Workmanship - Milwaukee is a landscaping and labor service provider based in Milwaukee, WI. They offer a range of services including lawn fertilization, weed control, tree removal, stump grinding, sprinkler installation and repair, land clearing, brush removal, and general landscaping. The company connects homeowners with skilled laborers, primarily Christian college students, to complete projects efficiently across the Milwaukee area, including Greenfield, Racine, Menomonee Falls, and Waukesha. Their crews handle tasks such as heavy yard cleanup, removal of invasive plants, and stump grinding, leaving sites tidy and well-prepared for future landscaping. His Workmanship emphasizes clear communication and quick scheduling to facilitate smooth project completion.

4.7

171 Reviews

See more providers in Wauwatosa, WI

Land clearing is the process of removing vegetation, trees, stumps, rocks, and surface debris to make a site usable for building, agriculture, landscaping, or fire mitigation. Brush removal focuses on lighter growth-saplings, shrubs, vines, tall grass, and storm-downed limbs-often using specialized mulching heads or brush cutters.

Common scopes include:

• Light lot cleanup: cutting and hauling brush, trimming saplings, mowing tall grass.
• Full lot clearing: felling trees, stump removal or grinding, grubbing roots, and hauling or mulching debris.
• Forestry mulching: using a mulcher to grind trees/brush in place, leaving a protective mulch layer.
• Rough grading: reshaping the site for drainage and access after clearing.
• Fire-wise fuel reduction: thinning ladder fuels, limbing trees, and creating defensible space.

Landscape Atlas is a directory-you can browse providers, read public reviews where available, and contact companies directly. We don't pre-screen or endorse contractors, so always perform your own due diligence.

Why it matters

• Safety and access: Clearing overgrowth improves sightlines, reduces trip hazards, and opens space for vehicles and equipment.
• Construction readiness: Builders and surveyors need clear, stable ground to stake, excavate, and deliver materials.
• Fire mitigation: Reducing dense brush lowers fuel loads around homes and outbuildings.
• Property value and use: Open, well-maintained land is more usable for yards, gardens, pasture, or recreation.
• Environmental health: Strategic removal of invasive species can improve native habitat and reduce pest populations (ticks, rodents).

How to choose a land clearing contractor

Every site is different. Look for a provider whose experience, equipment, and process match your terrain and end goal.

• Relevant experience: Ask about jobs similar in acreage, slope, soil conditions, tree sizes, and end use (buildable pad vs. pasture vs. trails).
• Equipment fit: Skid steer with mulching head for brush, dozer for heavy push and rough grade, excavator for trees and stumps, forestry mower for acreage, chipper for tight sites.
• Licensing and insurance: Confirm general liability and workers' comp. In some states, a contractor's license is required for certain scopes.
• Environmental care: Erosion control, silt fences/wattles, tree preservation plans, and protocol for wetlands or protected species.
• Debris plan: Clarify whether they mulch in place, chip, haul to a green-waste facility, or use roll-off containers-and who handles fees.
• Clear scope and pricing: Make sure the bid defines boundaries, stump handling, depth of grubbing, rock removal, and the finish grade standard.

Ready to compare local pros? It's quick and free.

Typical costs and pricing models

Costs vary by region, site access, vegetation density, and debris handling. Most contractors price one of three ways: per acre, per hour, or fixed bid.

• Per acre (brush and light timber):
  • Forestry mulching: roughly $500-$2,000 per acre for light brush; $2,000-$6,000+ for dense growth or mixed hardwoods.
• Per hour (equipment + operator):
  • Skid steer/track loader with mulcher: about $100-$200+ per hour.
  • Dozer or excavator: about $120-$250+ per hour depending on size and attachments.
• Fixed bid (common for lots and build pads):
  • Small residential lot clearing (¼-½ acre): roughly $1,500-$6,000+, depending on trees, stumps, and hauling.
  • Stump grinding: often $100-$500 per stump, based on diameter and access.
  • Rough grading: typically added as a separate line item.

What's included matters. A lower price that leaves stumps high, roots in place, or debris on site may cost more later when you grade, seed, or build.

What affects price the most

• Vegetation type and density: Large hardwoods, tangled vines, and thickets take longer and dull equipment faster.
• Stumps and roots: Grubbing and disposal add time and heavy machinery.
• Terrain and soil: Steep slopes, soft/seasonal ground, or rocky soils limit equipment options and speed.
• Access and mobilization: Narrow gates, long driveways, or limited turnaround space increase labor. Mobilization fees can apply for heavy equipment.
• Debris disposal: Mulch in place vs. chip/haul; landfill and green-waste fees; burn permits if open burning is allowed.
• Environmental controls: Silt fence, inlet protection, and temporary seeding are extra line items.
• Utilities and obstacles: Locating services (call 811), fences, boulders, and structures require care and time.
• Permitting and inspections: Some municipalities and HOAs require permits, tree surveys, or replanting plans.

Typical timeline from quote to completion

• Site visit and estimate: 1-5 business days after you reach out, depending on schedules.
• Permitting (if required): Several days to a few weeks; varies widely by location and scope.
• Scheduling: Many contractors can start within 1-3 weeks in normal seasons; longer in peak building months.
• On-site work:
  • Light brush removal on a small lot: often ½-2 days.
  • Full lot clearing with stumps and rough grading: 2-5+ days, depending on density and weather.
  • Acreage forestry mulching: productivity can range from a fraction of an acre to several acres per day based on growth and terrain.
• Final cleanup and stabilization: debris sweep, rough grade, and temporary seed/straw if specified.

Weather is a factor. Frozen or very wet ground changes access, machine traction, and turf damage risks-your schedule may shift accordingly.

Common methods and equipment explained

Understanding the approach helps you choose the right pro and compare quotes fairly.

• Forestry mulching
  • A high-flow mulcher head grinds trees and brush in place.
  • Pros: Fast, minimal hauling, mulch layer reduces erosion.
  • Considerations: Stump height varies; not ideal if you need deep grubbing for a foundation or driveway.
• Cut, pile, and haul
  • Chainsaws and machines fell trees, pile debris, and load into trucks or roll-offs.
  • Pros: Clean site with less surface mulch; good for construction pads.
  • Considerations: More trucking and disposal fees; more ground disturbance.
• Grubbing and stump removal
  • Excavator/dozer removes stumps and major roots to a specified depth.
  • Pros: Best for driveways, utilities, and foundations.
  • Considerations: Heavier equipment and backfill/compaction needed.
• Brush mowing and hogging
  • Rotary cutters or flails mow tall grass and saplings.
  • Pros: Cost-effective for fields and trails.
  • Considerations: Leaves stumps at ground level; not true clearing.
• Chipping and controlled burning
  • Chipping reduces volume for hauling; controlled burns depend on local rules.
  • Considerations: Burning requires permits and favorable weather; chips can be repurposed onsite.

Key machines you might see: tracked skid steers, excavators, dozers, forestry mulchers, stump grinders, chippers, and compact track loaders with grapple buckets.

Preparation tips before the crew arrives

• Define your end goal: pasture, lawn, garden, building pad, driveway, or defensible space. Scope drives method and cost.
• Mark boundaries: flag property lines, easements, no-go zones, trees to save, septic areas, and wellheads.
• Call 811 before any digging: utilities mark lines for free; allow several days.
• Confirm access: measure gates, trim low branches, and plan parking/turnaround for trucks and trailers.
• Discuss debris preferences: mulch in place (thicker vs. thinner), chip and haul, or stockpile for later.
• Erosion and stormwater: ask about silt fence, wattles, and temporary seeding if soil will sit exposed.
• Photos and notes: document before-conditions for HOAs, neighbors, and your own records.

Smart ways to compare quotes

• Make scope apples-to-apples:
  • Clearing limits shown on a sketch or marked onsite.
  • Tree sizes included/excluded and whether select trees are protected.
  • Stump plan: height, grinding vs. removal, and depth of grubbing.
  • Debris: mulch onsite vs. haul; number of loads; disposal fees.
  • Surface finish: rough cut, rough grade, or ready-for-builder grade tolerance.
• Ask for a breakdown:
  • Labor/equipment, mobilization, erosion control, hauling, and permits (if handled).
  • Hourly vs. fixed price and what triggers change orders.
• Check scheduling and productivity:
  • Crew size, machines on site, estimated acres/day or trees/hour.
• Verify coverage:
  • Insurance certificates and any required licensing.
• Read the fine print:
  • Rock/boulder handling, wet-weather contingencies, and site repair responsibility (ruts, turf damage).

Questions to ask prospective land clearing pros

• What similar projects have you completed recently? Can I see photos or references?
• Which machines will you bring, and why are they right for my site?
• How will you protect trees I want to keep and prevent soil erosion?
• What's your plan for stumps and roots-and how deep will you grub?
• Will debris be mulched, chipped, hauled, or burned? Who pays disposal fees?
• How do you handle utilities, septic, wells, and unknown obstacles?
• What permits, if any, are required in my jurisdiction? Do you assist or should I apply?
• What does the finish grade include, and will you seed/straw exposed soil?
• What could change the price, and how are change orders approved?
• Do you carry general liability and workers' comp? Can you share certificates?

Signs you might need land clearing or brush removal

• Overgrowth is encroaching on structures, fences, or driveways.
• You're planning a new build, addition, driveway, fence, or garden.
• Dense brush or ladder fuels increase wildfire risk around your home.
• Invasive species (kudzu, honeysuckle, buckthorn, multiflora rose) are spreading.
• Standing dead trees, storm damage, or blowdowns create hazards.
• Drainage is poor due to thick vegetation and debris blocking flow paths.
• Tall grass and brush harbor ticks, snakes, or rodents.

Permits, rules, and environmental considerations

• Local permits: Many municipalities require permits for tree removal, grading, land disturbance, or burning. HOAs may need a simple plan or approval.
• Protected trees and species: Some areas regulate removal of large or heritage trees and trees in riparian zones. Ask about wildlife windows and nesting seasons.
• Wetlands and buffers: Work in or near wetlands and streams often requires extra approvals and erosion controls.
• Erosion and sediment control: Silt fences, wattles, inlet protection, and temporary seeding stabilize soil and protect neighbors and waterways.
• Burning restrictions: Open burning, if allowed, typically needs a permit and specific weather conditions; some regions prohibit it entirely.

Your contractor can advise on typical local practices, but it's your responsibility to confirm rules with the city/county or HOA.

Safety basics for property owners

• Keep a safe distance from operating equipment; eye and hearing protection are essential for anyone nearby.
• Children and pets should be kept well away from the work zone.
• Stay clear of swing radiuses, pinch points, and chipper infeed zones.
• Confirm that utilities are marked before any digging or stump work.
• After clearing, walk the site carefully-roots, stumps, and uneven ground can be trip hazards until grading is complete.

How Landscape Atlas helps you find the right pro

• Browse local companies: Filter by location and services-brush removal, forestry mulching, stump grinding, rough grading, and more.
• Learn at a glance: See descriptions, service areas, and contact details; check ratings and reviews where available.
• Reach out directly: Message or call multiple providers to compare availability and quotes.
• Make an informed choice: Use the tips above to align scope, verify coverage, and lock in a fair price.

Note: Landscape Atlas is a directory, not a contractor. We don't pre-vet, endorse, or guarantee providers. Always verify licensing, insurance, and references before you hire.

Whether you're opening a view, preparing to build, or mitigating fire risk, the right land clearing partner makes all the difference. Explore local providers on Landscape Atlas, compare your options with confidence, and take the next step toward a safer, more usable property.

Frequently asked questions