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Land & Lot Clearing in Essex & Morris County, NJ
Turn an overgrown, wooded or tangled lot into buildable, usable ground — selective or full clearing, brush and stumps removed, graded and hauled clean by the arborists Essex & Morris County have trusted since 1984.
T&D Tree Service is a family-owned tree care company in Livingston, New Jersey, providing professional land clearing and lot clearing for homeowners, builders and developers throughout Essex County and Morris County since 1984. Whether you’re breaking ground on a new home, adding a pool, extending a driveway, putting up an addition or simply reclaiming a back acre swallowed by brush and volunteer trees, our ISA Certified Arborists clear the site safely, selectively and completely — then leave you ground that’s ready for the next trade.
Clearing land in northern New Jersey is rarely a bulldoze-and-go job. Lots are close to neighbors, laced with protected specimen trees, ringed by wetlands buffers, and governed by town tree-removal ordinances. We handle the whole scope — from single-tree tree removal to full stump removal, brush, invasives, grading prep and hauling — and we coordinate tree protection plans so the trees you want to keep survive construction. We’re licensed and fully insured, and we clean up completely, every time.
From wooded lot to buildable ground
One accountable crew for trees, brush, stumps, grading prep and haul-off — residential or commercial.
Selective Clearing
Removing only the trees and growth that must go — a driveway line, a building pad, a sight line — while protecting the specimen trees worth keeping.
Full Lot Clearing
Clearing an entire parcel down to bare, buildable ground for new construction, additions, pools, sheds and outbuildings.
Brush & Underbrush
Cutting and hauling the tangled brush, saplings, briars and vines that choke a lot and hide its true footprint.
Invasive Removal
Taking out bittersweet, multiflora rose, knotweed and other aggressive invasives before they reclaim the cleared ground.
Stump & Root Removal
Grinding or excavating stumps and root balls so the site can be graded, dug and built on without surprises.
Grading Prep & Haul-Off
Rough-grading the cleared area and hauling every log, chip and load of debris away — a clean handoff to your excavator or builder.
Clear only what has to go
The best land clearing keeps the trees worth keeping. Before a saw runs, Dave walks the lot with you, flags the building envelope, and decides — tree by tree — what comes down and what stays. A mature oak at the property line or a stand of pines screening the road is often worth far more standing than cleared, both to the appraisal and to the finished look of the home.
- Selective clearing — open the building pad, driveway or pool while saving specimen trees
- Full clearing — take a parcel down to bare, level, buildable ground
- Forestry mulching — grind brush and small growth in place to a clean, plantable layer
- Tree protection — fence and root-zone plans that keep the keepers alive through construction
- Fully insured, ISA Certified operators — and complete cleanup, every time
Projects that start with land clearing
Most clearing calls come from a project that can’t break ground until the trees and brush are gone. We clear for:
- New home construction — opening and leveling the building pad and driveway approach
- Additions, pools, patios and detached garages that need the yard opened up
- Driveways, private roads and utility runs that have to cut through wooded ground
- Overgrown or long-neglected lots taken over by brush, vines and volunteer trees
- Subdivision and commercial site work for builders and developers on a schedule
- Fence lines, sight lines and drainage swales buried under years of growth
Because we own our trucks, chippers and grinders, we keep the whole job on one crew — and pair naturally with stump removal so the ground is genuinely ready, not half-cleared.
A clean site, ready for the next trade
One crew from the first walkthrough to the final haul-off — on schedule for your build.
Free On-Site Walkthrough
We walk the lot with you and any builder, flag the trees to keep, confirm access, and give a clear scope and price — often the same day you call.
Permits & Tree Protection
We check the town’s tree ordinance, pull any required removal permits, and set protection fencing around specimen trees that stay.
Clear, Grind & Grade
Our crew fells and removes the marked trees, clears brush and invasives, grinds stumps, and rough-grades the cleared area.
Haul-Off & Clean Handoff
We chip, haul and load out every log and pile, leaving the site clean and ready for your excavator, foundation crew or landscaper.
Building or developing? Ask about our commercial tree service and tree protection plans. We serve every town in Essex & Morris County.
Land clearing built for New Jersey lots
Clearing land in Essex and Morris County is tight, regulated work. Building lots here sit close to neighbors, back up to wetlands and stream buffers, and fall under town tree-removal ordinances that count caliper inches and sometimes require replacement plantings. A crew that just knocks everything down invites fines, stop-work orders and an appraisal hit from lost specimen trees. We clear the way a certified arborist does — selectively, on permit, and with an eye to what the finished property should look like.
The ground itself fights back, too. Northern New Jersey soil is heavy clay over rock, and decades-old oak and maple root balls run wide and deep. We grind or excavate them out so your excavator isn’t stopped cold at footing depth, and we rough-grade the cleared area so water drains away from the pad. From new construction in Mendham and Harding to lot expansions in Livingston, West Orange and Montclair, and commercial site work along the Morris County corridor, T&D delivers ground a builder can start on the next morning.
What affects land clearing cost in NJ
Every lot is different, so we price clearing on-site after we’ve walked it. The main factors:
- Size of the area — a pool footprint versus a full acre is the biggest driver
- Density & size of trees — scattered saplings versus mature oaks and dense woods
- Selective vs. full clearing — protecting keepers takes more care than a clean sweep
- Stumps & roots — grinding to grade versus full excavation for footings and utilities
- Access & slope — open, level ground versus tight, wet or steep terrain
- Permits & grading — ordinance permits, protection fencing and rough-grading scope
- Haul-off & disposal — chipping in place versus trucking logs and debris off-site
Because T&D owns its trucks, chippers and grinders, we quote the whole scope fairly and keep it on one crew. Builders and developers can ask about our commercial tree service. Meet the team, read our reviews, or book a free estimate.
Caring for the trees of Essex & Morris County
From the estates of Short Hills and Mendham to every street in between, T&D Tree Service is the local, licensed arborist New Jersey homeowners call first.
Essex County
What Essex & Morris County says about T&D Tree
This service is THE BEST! A huge tree came down on my shed and they came out same-day. The crew worked hard to save the shed and removed the heavy limbs very carefully. Cleaned up nicely — excellent service.
I have been using T&D for years. There is no reason to use anyone else. They are reliable, competent and fairly priced. Thank you Dave.
Best tree services in Essex and Morris counties. Dave came for a prompt estimate, pulled the permit quickly, and his crew did a great job above our expectations — covered the siding and pathway to avoid damage.
I’ve used T&D multiple times and they never disappoint. Professional, friendly, efficient. They leave the area spotless — it’s clear they take pride in their work. Highly recommend!
T&D was wonderful — always on time, always when promised. David showed a vast knowledge of local trees, his team used a crane and wore safety equipment, and they cleaned up completely.
They do exceptional work at extremely reasonable prices. Dave was an absolute pleasure to work with. The tree was a monster and came down seamlessly — they truly go above and beyond.
Dave arrived on time with a reasonable quote, and the crew showed up the very morning he promised. Courteous, efficient and professional — they protected our property and cleaned up well.
Massive 50-ft tree removed at the last minute, leaving no trace on my neighbor’s yard. Amazing work for just 3 guys. Fair pricing and easy to work with.
Responsive, dependable, and his team is neat and very careful. I’ve used T&D in the past and would not do business with any other tree company in Livingston.
Very reasonable pricing. Great service. Crew arrived at the time promised. Yard was left spotless.
Land clearing questions, answered
Often, yes. Most Essex and Morris County towns have tree-removal ordinances that regulate how many trees you can take down — especially on undeveloped or larger lots — and some require replacement plantings or a permit fee. T&D Tree Service knows the local ordinances, checks them before we start, and pulls the required permits so your land clearing is done by the book. Call (973) 434-5557.
Selective clearing removes only the trees and growth that must go — for a driveway, building pad or pool — while protecting specimen trees worth keeping. Full clearing takes a parcel down to bare, buildable ground. T&D Tree Service does both, and Dave will walk the lot with you to recommend the right approach for your project and your property value.
Yes. Land clearing with T&D includes grinding or excavating stumps and root balls, chipping brush on-site, and hauling every log and load of debris off your property — a clean handoff to your excavator or builder. See our stump removal service for details.
Absolutely. We clear residential and commercial lots for new construction, additions, subdivisions and site work, and we coordinate with your schedule and other trades. Ask about our commercial tree service and tree protection plans for the trees you keep.
T&D Tree Service clears lots throughout Essex County and Morris County, NJ — including Livingston, Millburn, Short Hills, West Orange, Montclair, Mendham, Harding, Morristown, Chatham and Madison. See all service areas.
Ready to clear the way for your project?
Get a free, no-pressure estimate from the arborists Essex & Morris County have trusted since 1984. Same-week scheduling and 24/7 emergency response.