Mark what stays
Large healthy trees take decades to replace. Walk the lot first and flag the ones to keep, including trees near the property line and any whose crowns reach over from a neighbor’s side.
Two ways to handle the material
| Method | Result |
|---|---|
| Mulching on site | Brush and small trees ground where they stand, chips left on the ground |
| Hauling | Material removed, bare soil left, ready for grading or building |
They are priced differently, so check which one a quote assumes.
The one-acre rule
The Environmental Protection Agency counts clearing, grading and excavating as construction activity, and requires Clean Water Act permit coverage for stormwater discharges from construction that disturbs one acre or more, or less than an acre that is part of a larger common plan of development or sale. States often run that permit program, and counties may have their own rules for smaller sites. Ask the county before starting and settle who arranges the permit. Permits and rules
Buried lines
Pulling or grinding stumps is digging. The ISA notes that locating underground utilities before digging is often required by law.
Checked against the sources below on 2026-10-11.
What are the warning signs a tree may fail?