Quick answer: Land clearing is the removal of trees, brush and stumps from a piece of ground. Lot clearing is land clearing on a defined building plot, done to get it ready for construction. Brush removal is the lightest of the three: it takes out undergrowth, saplings and thickets and leaves the established trees standing.
The terms overlap, and companies use them loosely. Knowing which one you need helps you ask for the right quote. For the service itself, see land clearing in Denver.
How do the three compare?
| Land clearing | Lot clearing | Brush removal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical site | Open or rural ground | A city building plot | Yards, fence lines, alleys |
| What goes | Trees, brush and stumps | Everything in the build area | Undergrowth and volunteer trees |
| What stays | Selected trees, if any | Protected trees and any you keep | Established trees and plantings |
| Stumps | Ground or removed | Removed where foundations go | Cut low or ground |
| Usual purpose | New use for the land | Construction | Getting a space back |
What other terms will you hear?
- Selective clearing. Removing some trees and brush while protecting the rest.
- Grubbing. Digging out stumps and roots after the trees are down.
- Forestry mulching. A machine that shreds brush and small trees into mulch where they stand.
- Site preparation. Grading and excavation that follow clearing. A separate trade.
Which one do you need?
- An overgrown corner or fence line. Brush removal. In Denver that usually means volunteer Siberian elm and tree-of-heaven. See how to get rid of Siberian elm and tree-of-heaven.
- A plot you are about to build on. Lot clearing, with stumps removed where the foundation goes. See how to clear a lot for building in Denver.
- One or two trees in the way. Not clearing at all. That is tree removal.
What does clearing not include?
Clearing covers the vegetation. It does not normally cover demolishing structures, removing concrete, grading, excavation or bringing in fill. Ask for those to be quoted separately so the clearing quotes you compare cover the same work. Typical prices are in land clearing cost in Denver.
Do the rules differ?
Brush removal in a back yard rarely raises a permit question. Lot clearing for construction does, because Denver protects trees in the front and side setbacks and in the right-of-way during a building project. See Denver tree protection rules for construction. Stump work of any kind needs a utility locate first: see calling 811 before stump grinding.
Land clearing terms FAQs
Is lot clearing the same as land clearing?
Lot clearing is a type of land clearing. It refers to clearing a defined building plot, usually in town, to get it ready for construction.
Does brush removal include trees?
It includes saplings and small volunteer trees growing in the brush. Established trees are left standing unless you ask for them to be removed.
Does land clearing include stump removal?
It should be stated in the quote. Stumps are usually ground as part of the job, and dug out completely only where a foundation or paving is planned.
Sources
This guide explains common industry terms. For Denver’s rules, see the Office of the City Forester.
