Lot Clearing
in Massachusetts

Lot clearing is the complete removal of trees, stumps, brush, and undergrowth from a parcel of land to prepare it for construction, landscaping, or property improvement. In Massachusetts, lot clearing typically costs $1,500–$15,000+ depending on acreage, tree density, and terrain. At McDonald Tree Service, lot clearing includes tree felling, stump grinding below grade, brush chipping, debris hauling, and site cleanup — no add-on charges. We handle permits required under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87 (Shade Tree Act) and local conservation bylaws, including wetland buffer zone restrictions. Our equipment includes bucket trucks, cranes, commercial chippers, and stump grinders. We work with homeowners, builders, and developers across 18 towns in Middlesex County. Call (978) 375-2272 for a free on-site estimate.

When you've got a lot full of trees, brush, and undergrowth that needs to become buildable land or a usable yard, that's our kind of job. We've been clearing lots across Middlesex County for three decades — residential lots for new construction, overgrown properties that need to be reclaimed, and everything in between.

Selective clearing is our default, not full-mulch-everything. Most homeowners want to keep a few oaks or maples for shade, character, and property value. We walk the lot with you, flag what stays with ribbon, and everything else comes out. The trees you keep get the same care we'd give them on any pruning job — no driving over the root flare, no nicking the bark with the chipper. If you want everything down to the dirt that's a different conversation, and we'll have it honestly.

Lot clearing isn't just cutting trees and walking away. We take down every tree marked for removal, grind every stump below grade, chip and haul all the brush, and leave you with clean, workable ground. Whether you're building a house, putting in a driveway, or just want an open yard where there used to be woods, we handle the whole process from first cut to final cleanup.

We work with builders, homeowners, and developers across all 18 towns in our service area. Small residential lots, larger parcels for subdivision — the scale doesn't matter. We bring the right equipment for the job: bucket trucks, cranes for the big stuff, commercial chippers, and stump grinders. One crew, one call.

One thing about old New England lots: there's often valuable wood standing on them. Large oaks, maples, and cherries can be worth more at a local mill than as wood chips. Before we feed anything into the chipper we ask. If you want the cordwood, it stays on your property. If there's a marketable hardwood log worth flagging for a mill, we tell you. That decision is yours, not ours.

Permits are part of the deal in Massachusetts. Many towns have tree bylaws, wetland buffer zones, and conservation restrictions that apply to lot clearing under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87 (Shade Tree Act). We know the rules in every town we serve — Lexington's scenic road tree bylaw, Carlisle's conservation requirements, Concord's historic district regulations. We handle the permit research and filing so you don't have to figure it out yourself.

Don't call us if you want everything taken to the dirt and you want it cheap. The cheap version is what the franchise mulch outfits sell — chain-mulch the whole lot in a weekend, leave you with compacted soil and three years of stump regrowth. We don't do that job. There are people who do. We're not them.