Are stumps included in land clearing?

Yes — stump grinding or excavation is included in our land clearing quotes unless otherwise specified. Clearing a site and leaving stumps creates problems for your contractor. We grind or remove stumps to the depth you specify based on what's being built.

Do I need a permit for land clearing in Upstate SC?

Permit requirements vary by county and project type. Clearing for construction typically requires a land disturbance permit from the county. Some municipalities have tree preservation ordinances that restrict clearing of certain species or sizes. We'll advise what applies to your specific site and project during the estimate.

What size land clearing jobs do you handle?

We handle residential lots, multi-acre parcels, and larger clearing projects. The lower practical limit is around a quarter acre — smaller lots are typically done as individual tree removals. The upper limit depends on the project timeline — we've cleared multi-acre parcels for residential development and agricultural use.

How long does land clearing take?

A typical residential lot (half to one acre, moderate tree density) takes 1–3 days depending on equipment access and debris handling method. A multi-acre parcel takes proportionally longer. We give you an estimated timeline at the site walk and confirm it before starting.

Is it still legal to keep a Bradford Pear on my property in SC?

Yes — keeping an existing Bradford Pear is not prohibited. South Carolina's 2024 invasive plant designation applies to new plantings and commercial sale, not existing trees. However, when clearing land, Bradford Pear material cannot be spread as mulch in natural areas because seeds remain viable and will establish new invasive plants. We handle Bradford Pear debris separately on every clearing job.

Do cleared trees have timber value in Upstate SC?

Sometimes. Large-diameter hardwood — White Oak, Tulip Poplar, Black Walnut — occasionally interests local sawyers or timber buyers. The practical threshold is typically a tree over 18 inches DBH with a straight, clear trunk section. Most residential clearing material (mixed hardwood scrub and pine) does not meet timber quality standards. We will advise whether a timber buyer is worth contacting at the site walk before we begin clearing.

Martin Tree and Turf Care crew clearing land in Upstate South Carolina

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Land Clearing in Upstate SC Trees, Brush, and Stumps. Site-Ready.

Residential lots and multi-acre parcels cleared for construction, agriculture, and access — stumps included, site-ready. Free written estimate after a site walk.

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James Martin · ISA Certified Arborist · TCI Certified

ISA Certified Arborist

Licensed & Insured

Free Written Estimate

24/7 Emergency Line

Serving Upstate SC

ISA Certified Arborist

#SO-356834A

International Society of Arboriculture — Cert #SO-356834A

TCI Certified

Tree Climbers International

Tree Climbers International Certified Tree Technician

Licensed & Insured in SC

$1M Liability · $2M Umbrella

Certificate of insurance provided before any job begins

Free Written Estimates

Exact price in writing before any work begins — no surprises on your bill

2-Hour Emergency Response

Emergency line answered 24/7 — any time of day or night

How Much Does Land Clearing Cost in Upstate SC?

Land clearing in Upstate SC runs $1,500–$8,000+ per acre depending on tree density, species mix, and site access. Light brush — Virginia Pine scrub, Eastern Red Cedar, and invasive Sweetgum on old agricultural land — is at the low end. Dense mature hardwood stands of Tulip Poplar, Southern Red Oak, and Water Oak are at the high end. Sweetgum, common on disturbed soil throughout Greenville and Spartanburg counties, is the most labor-intensive clearing species: the root system generates persistent stump sprouts unless stumps are ground below 8 inches. Our ISA Certified Arborist (#SO-356834A) — walks every clearing site before quoting so the written estimate reflects the actual job.

✓Stumps included — site cleared to bare soil, not left with hazards

✓Chipped on site or hauled off depending on your preference

✓Residential lots and multi-acre parcels — we scale to the project

✓Rough grading available to leave the site ready for your contractor

✓Fully insured — $1M general liability, $2M umbrella. COI provided before any equipment moves.

Land clearing disturbs ground cover and leaves bare soil. If you need the area seeded, sodded, or graded after clearing, we handle turf restoration as a follow-on project.

Tree Removal →Stump Grinding →Turf Restoration →Get Free Estimate →

Martin Tree and Turf Care crew clearing brush with a compact loader on a land-clearing job in Upstate SC

Permits, Invasive Species, and What Happens to the Material

Greenville County requires a Land Disturbance Permit for disturbing more than half an acre. Spartanburg County has similar thresholds. Clearing that drains toward a creek, pond, or wetland may trigger SC NPDES permit requirements through SCDHEC — particularly for parcels over one acre affecting stormwater flow. We walk every site before quoting and tell you upfront what permitting applies. We do not start work that requires a permit without confirming it is in hand.

Bradford Pear (Callery Pear) has been listed as a Plant Pest in South Carolina since 2024 — new plantings are prohibited. On clearing jobs, Bradford Pear material is handled separately: it cannot be chipped and spread as mulch in natural areas because seeds remain viable and germinate readily. Kudzu-infested areas require mechanical removal of the root crowns — surface cutting alone doesn't stop regrowth. Timber from cleared hardwood (White Oak, Tulip Poplar, Black Walnut) occasionally has salvage value; we will advise whether a timber buyer is worth contacting before we chip.

How Land Clearing Works

Site Survey

We walk the property, measure the area, and assesses tree density, species, and equipment access.

Equipment Plan

We select equipment — skid steer, excavator, brush cutter, chipper — and schedule the crew size required.

Clear

Trees, brush, and stumps removed systematically. Material chipped on site or staged for haul-off.

Haul Debris

All material removed. We can leave the site rough-graded or cleared to bare soil depending on the project.

Before and After Land Clearing

Dense overgrowth to clean buildable lot — equipment in, debris out.

Before

After

Why Martin Tree and Turf Care?

ISA-certified from the first assessment to the final cleanup, with the price in writing before any work starts — and a crew that leaves your property clean.

ISA Certified Arborist
TCI Certified
Licensed & Insured $1M/$2M
OSHA-Compliant
24/7 Emergency Line
Written Estimates

James Martin, ISA Certified Arborist — Martin Tree and Turf Care

James Martin, ISA Certified ArboristGet Your Free Estimate

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Frequently Asked Questions

: Land clearing in Upstate SC runs $1,500–$8,000+ per acre depending on tree density, species mix, brush density, and site access. Light brush clearing is at the low end. Dense hardwood with large-diameter trees is at the high end. Stumps are typically included in land clearing quotes. We provide a free written estimate after a site walk.
: Yes — stump grinding or excavation is included in our land clearing quotes unless otherwise specified. Clearing a site and leaving stumps creates problems for your contractor. We grind or remove stumps to the depth you specify based on what's being built.
: Permit requirements vary by county and project type. Clearing for construction typically requires a land disturbance permit from the county. Some municipalities have tree preservation ordinances that restrict clearing of certain species or sizes. We'll advise what applies to your specific site and project during the estimate.
: We handle residential lots, multi-acre parcels, and larger clearing projects. The lower practical limit is around a quarter acre — smaller lots are typically done as individual tree removals. The upper limit depends on the project timeline — we've cleared multi-acre parcels for residential development and agricultural use.
: A typical residential lot (half to one acre, moderate tree density) takes 1–3 days depending on equipment access and debris handling method. A multi-acre parcel takes proportionally longer. We give you an estimated timeline at the site walk and confirm it before starting.
: Yes — keeping an existing Bradford Pear is not prohibited. South Carolina's 2024 invasive plant designation applies to new plantings and commercial sale, not existing trees. However, when clearing land, Bradford Pear material cannot be spread as mulch in natural areas because seeds remain viable and will establish new invasive plants. We handle Bradford Pear debris separately on every clearing job.
: Sometimes. Large-diameter hardwood — White Oak, Tulip Poplar, Black Walnut — occasionally interests local sawyers or timber buyers. The practical threshold is typically a tree over 18 inches DBH with a straight, clear trunk section. Most residential clearing material (mixed hardwood scrub and pine) does not meet timber quality standards. We will advise whether a timber buyer is worth contacting at the site walk before we begin clearing.

What Customers Say About Our Work

5.0 stars · 134 Google reviews

"James and our crew were incredible in all areas. The extensive tree removal and cleanup on our 15 acres was done carefully and thoroughly. His communication was clear, timely and very responsive. He provided clear pricing — from all the quotes we got, his was the most specific and clear. No notes: Hire him."
— Alexandra Barham · Upstate SC

Know Your Exact Price Before Any Work Begins

The certified arborist evaluates your tree in person and puts the price in writing. That's the number you pay — no verbal quotes that change on arrival, no invoice surprises. No pressure. No obligation.