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Professional Land Clearing in Oregon & Washington

RDL Construction provides comprehensive land clearing services throughout Oregon and Washington. Our experienced team transforms overgrown or wooded properties into construction-ready sites through efficient vegetation removal, stump extraction, and site preparation while maintaining environmental responsibility.

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Service Overview

Our land clearing services prepare your property for development by removing vegetation and obstacles while preserving desirable features.

At RDL Construction, we understand that effective land clearing requires both power and precision. Our team utilizes specialized equipment and techniques to clear properties efficiently while protecting soil integrity, preventing erosion, and preserving selected trees and natural features when desired.

Our land clearing services include:

  • Selective tree removal
  • Complete lot clearing
  • Brush and undergrowth removal
  • Stump extraction and grinding
  • Root removal
  • Invasive species elimination
  • Orchard and agricultural clearing
  • Logging and timber harvesting
  • Fence line and boundary clearing
  • Fire break creation
  • View improvement clearing
  • Erosion control implementation
  • Material processing and recycling
  • Site grading after clearing

Why Choose RDL Construction

Our approach to land clearing combines efficiency with environmental responsibility to prepare your site while protecting soil health and natural resources.

  • Selective Precision: We can preserve specific trees and features while clearing surrounding vegetation
  • Equipment Expertise: We utilize specialized machinery appropriate for your specific site conditions and clearing needs
  • Environmental Awareness: We implement erosion control and follow best practices for minimizing ecological impact
  • Material Management: We process cleared vegetation through recycling, chipping, or proper disposal rather than burning when possible

As a full-service contractor with comprehensive site development capabilities, we approach land clearing as the first phase of a complete construction process. This perspective ensures clearing is performed in a manner that facilitates subsequent development phases.

Our Land Clearing Process

We follow a systematic approach to land clearing that efficiently prepares your property while protecting environmental values and site integrity.

1. Site Evaluation & Planning
We begin with a thorough assessment of your property, identifying vegetation to be removed, features to preserve, soil conditions, and potential challenges. This evaluation informs our clearing strategy and equipment selection.

2. Permitting & Environmental Compliance
We secure all necessary permits and ensure compliance with local regulations regarding tree removal, environmental protection, and clearing operations. Our knowledge of Oregon and Washington requirements ensures proper compliance.

3. Site Preparation & Protection
Before clearing begins, we establish protection for features that will remain, including tree protection zones, erosion control measures, and access routes that minimize site disturbance.

4. Strategic Vegetation Removal
Our skilled operators remove trees, brush, and other vegetation using appropriate techniques and equipment sequenced to minimize impact on the surrounding environment and optimize efficiency.

5. Stump & Root Management
We extract or grind stumps and remove significant root systems that would interfere with future construction. This critical step prevents future settling and decay issues.

6. Material Processing & Site Cleanup
We process cleared materials through chipping, recycling, or proper disposal. Final site cleanup prepares the property for subsequent development phases, including rough grading when required.

Popular FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you minimize environmental impact during land clearing?
We implement multiple strategies to reduce environmental impact: using selective clearing techniques that preserve beneficial vegetation when possible; installing erosion control measures like silt fencing and sediment traps before work begins; maintaining buffer zones around water features; scheduling work during optimal seasons to minimize soil compaction and erosion; utilizing mulching equipment that returns organic matter to the soil rather than removing it; and recycling cleared vegetation through chipping or lumber recovery rather than burning when feasible. For sites with sensitive environmental features, we develop specific protection plans tailored to the unique conditions.
What time of year is best for land clearing in the Pacific Northwest?
The optimal time for land clearing in Oregon and Washington is typically during the drier months from late spring through early fall (May through September). This timing offers several advantages: drier soil conditions minimize compaction and rutting; reduced erosion risk during clearing operations; better visibility for operators to identify and preserve selected features; and improved efficiency without weather delays. However, certain sites with specific conditions may benefit from winter clearing, particularly properties with wetlands or areas where frozen ground provides better equipment access with less impact.
How do you handle large trees and stumps during clearing?
Our approach to large trees depends on site conditions and project requirements. For complete removal, we use professional felling techniques with directional cutting to control where trees land, minimizing impact on surrounding areas. For stumps, we typically use powerful stump grinders for isolated removals or excavators with specialized attachments for large-scale clearing. In some cases, particularly for development sites, we remove stumps completely with the root ball intact using excavators. All methods include filling and compacting resulting holes to prevent future settlement issues. We can also implement methods to preserve specific specimen trees when desired.
Do I need permits for land clearing in Oregon/Washington?
Permit requirements vary significantly depending on your specific location, property zoning, and the extent of clearing planned. Many jurisdictions in both Oregon and Washington require permits for clearing beyond a certain threshold (often as little as 5,000 square feet or removal of more than a specified number of trees). Properties with sensitive areas like wetlands, steep slopes, or designated environmental zones have additional restrictions and permit requirements. Some urban areas have specific tree preservation ordinances. During our initial consultation, we evaluate your specific property's regulatory requirements and can handle the entire permitting process on your behalf.