Acreage and lot clearing
Lot Clearing and Site Prep in Gilroy
We clear acreage and town lots around Gilroy, San Martin and Morgan Hill: brush, dead orchard trees, stumps, old fences, junk piles and abandoned structures, then rough grade the site for whatever comes next.
Lot Clearing on South County Acreage
A lot of land around Gilroy has been farmed, grazed or left alone for years. When owners sell, build or put the ground back into use, it usually needs clearing first. That might mean dead prune or walnut trees, overgrown blackberry and poison oak along a creek, old fence lines, piles of irrigation pipe and lumber, and a few abandoned sheds.
Big parcels let us use big equipment. Excavators with thumbs, skid steers with grapples and brush mowers make quick work of open ground. We pile and sort material as we go so wood, metal, concrete and trash leave in separate loads, and we leave trees you want to keep standing with their root zones protected.
Old Orchard Removal and Stump Grinding
Old orchards are common on South County parcels. Trees that stopped producing years ago still have deep roots and heavy trunks. We push or pull trees with the root ball, shake off the soil, and either chip the wood or haul it out. Where full root removal is not needed, stumps can be ground below grade instead.
If you plan to build, it is usually better to pull the roots so they do not rot under a slab later. If you plan to plant again or leave the ground open, grinding is often enough. We talk through the plan before pricing it.
Orchard wood is dense and burns well, so some owners keep a stack for firewood. The rest is chipped on site and spread as mulch or loaded for a green waste facility. Old irrigation lines, sprinkler risers and wire trellis come out with the trees and go to metal or plastic recycling where they can.
Site Prep and Rough Grading Before Building
After clearing, we rough grade the building pad, driveway and drainage areas to the levels on your plans. High spots get cut, low spots get filled, and fill that will carry a structure gets compacted. Final grading and compaction testing for a foundation are coordinated with your builder and soils engineer.
Rural lots often have hidden items that matter for site prep: old septic tanks, abandoned wells, buried fuel tanks, irrigation lines and trash pits. We look for them while clearing and flag anything that needs a permit or a specialist. In Santa Clara County, unused wells are destroyed under a Valley Water permit, and old septic tanks are closed under county environmental health rules.
Permits, Creeks, Trees and Fire Season
Basic brush and debris clearing does not usually need a permit. Grading over certain thresholds, work near creeks such as the Uvas and Llagas, and removal of protected trees can. Inside Gilroy the city sets those rules, and on unincorporated land the county does. State and federal rules also cover creek banks and wetlands. We check before we start.
Summers in South County are hot and dry, and fire risk is real. We keep equipment on cleared ground, carry extinguishers, watch for sparks from steel on rock, and follow any fire restrictions in effect. Dust control with water is standard on dry sites, both for the neighbors and as a permit condition.
Gilroy Lot Clearing Job Scope
Brush and Vegetation Clearing
Overgrown brush, weeds, blackberry, small trees and dead growth are cut, pushed and loaded. We clear to the line you set and keep away from trees, creeks and areas you want left alone.
Tree and Stump Removal on Building Lots
Dead orchard trees and stumps are pulled with the roots or ground below grade. Larger trees can be removed by a tree service under a permit when required, with our crew handling the cleanup.
Junk, Fencing and Old Structure Removal
Old fences, irrigation pipe, scrap metal, tires, lumber piles and small abandoned structures are removed and sorted. Hazardous items like fuel, oil and chemicals are separated for proper disposal.
Rough Grading and Pad Prep for Building
We rough grade pads and driveways to your plan, cut and fill where needed, compact fill for structures and leave the site drained and ready for the builder or the next phase.
Lot Clearing: Job Site Photos
Lot Clearing and Site Prep Across Gilroy
Demolition FAQs
Gilroy Lot Clearing FAQ
Is a permit needed to clear brush and junk off my lot?
Removing brush and debris usually does not. Grading beyond small amounts, removing protected trees, and any work near a creek can need permits. The City of Gilroy or Santa Clara County sets the rules depending on where the parcel is.
How long does clearing an acre take?
It depends on what is on it. Open grass and light brush can clear in a day. Dense brush, old orchards, junk piles and structures take longer. We give you a timeline after walking the property.
What do you do with the cleared trees and brush?
Clean green waste and wood are chipped or hauled for composting and biomass when possible. Metal, concrete and trash are separated so as much as possible is recycled.
Will you leave the trees I want to save?
Yes. We mark trees to keep before we start, avoid their root zones with heavy equipment, and clear by hand near them when needed.
Demolition quote
Price Your Gilroy Lot Clearing
Give the parcel size, what is growing or piled on it, and whether you plan to build or plant. Expect a reply inside a day to set up a walk.
- Permits
- Demolition
- Haul-off