Vegetation Site Clearance

Preparing land for construction? Clearing an overgrown plot? Making space for new landscaping? Vegetation site clearance is often the essential first step. At Thor's Trees, we handle everything from dense undergrowth and scrubland to mature trees, leaving your site clean, safe, and ready for whatever comes next.

Vegetation site clearance involves removing unwanted plant growth from a piece of land. This can include anything from brambles, shrubs, and invasive weeds through to hedgerows, saplings, and full-sized trees. The goal is to prepare the ground for its next use, be that a building project, agricultural work, or simply reclaiming land that's become overgrown.

Every site is different, so clearance work needs to be tailored to what's already growing there and what you're planning to do with the space. A neglected garden will need a different approach to a commercial development plot, and regulations around protected species and trees may affect what can be removed and when.

We work with a wide range of clients who need land cleared quickly and professionally.

- Developers preparing sites for residential or commercial construction
- Homeowners reclaiming overgrown gardens or land
- Landowners managing woodland, farmland, or unused plots
- Councils and housing associations maintaining public land
- Architects and project managers needing site preparation before building work begins
- Landscapers requiring a blank canvas for new planting schemes

Our team is equipped to handle all types of vegetation, no matter how overgrown or difficult to access.

- Brambles, nettles, and dense undergrowth
- Invasive species like Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed, and Himalayan balsam
- Scrubland and rough grassland
- Hedgerows and boundary vegetation
- Shrubs, bushes, and overgrown planting beds
- Saplings and self-seeded trees
- Mature trees where removal is permitted
- Stumps and root systems

We also handle the disposal of all green waste, so you're left with a clear site ready for the next stage of your project.

Every project starts with a site visit. We'll assess what's growing, discuss your plans for the land, and identify any potential issues like protected trees, nesting birds, or invasive species that need specialist handling.
Once we understand what's involved, we'll provide a clear quote with no hidden surprises. For larger or more complex sites, we can break the work into phases to fit your project timeline.

The clearance itself is carried out by our experienced team using the right equipment for the job. For smaller sites, this might mean hand tools and brush cutters. For larger areas, we bring in machinery like excavators, mulchers, and chippers to get the work done efficiently.
Once the vegetation is cleared, we can also handle stump grinding, ground levelling, and waste removal so you're left with a site that's genuinely ready to use.

Clearing vegetation yourself might seem straightforward, but there are good reasons to bring in professionals.

What might take you weeks with hand tools can often be completed in days with the right equipment and crew. If your site clearance is holding up other work, getting it done quickly makes a real difference to your overall timeline.

Overgrown sites often hide hazards like uneven ground, hidden debris, or unstable trees. Dense vegetation can also harbour wasps' nests, ticks, and other risks. Our team knows how to work safely in these conditions and has the equipment to handle difficult situations.

Certain trees are protected by preservation orders, and work near them requires permission from the council. Wildlife legislation also restricts when you can clear vegetation if nesting birds might be present. We can advise on what's allowed, carry out ecological checks where needed, and make sure your clearance work stays on the right side of the law.

Green waste needs to be disposed of responsibly, and invasive species like Japanese knotweed have strict rules around how they can be handled and where they can be taken. We take care of all waste removal and disposal in line with current regulations.

Before any clearance work begins, it's important to check for any legal protections on the site.
Trees with preservation orders cannot be removed without council permission, even if they're in the way of your plans. Trees in conservation areas also have automatic protection. We can check if any trees on your site are protected and handle applications for permission if removal is necessary.

Wildlife legislation protects nesting birds, and it's an offence to disturb them during the breeding season, which typically runs from March to August. If your clearance work is planned during this period, we may need to carry out a nesting bird check before starting. Depending on what we find, work might need to be delayed or adjusted to avoid disturbance.
Certain invasive species also have legal requirements around their removal and disposal. Japanese knotweed, for example, is classified as controlled waste and cannot be disposed of through normal channels. We have the expertise and permits to deal with these species properly.

We pride ourselves on doing the job properly, not quickly. That means taking the time to understand your site and your goals, working cleanly and safely, and leaving you with a result you're happy with.

We're fully insured, and our team includes qualified arborists who can handle everything from delicate pruning to full tree removal. If your clearance work involves mature trees or anything close to buildings, you can be confident it's in safe hands.

Communication matters to us too. We'll keep you informed throughout the project and make sure any issues are flagged early so there are no surprises.

Costs depend on the size of the site, the type and density of vegetation, access, and how the waste needs to be disposed of. We provide free, no-obligation quotes after a site visit so you know exactly what to expect before any work begins.

Small residential gardens can often be cleared in a day. Larger or more overgrown sites might take several days or longer. We'll give you a realistic timeline based on what we see during the site visit.

In most cases, you're free to clear vegetation on your own property. However, if there are protected trees, if your land is in a conservation area, or if nesting birds might be present, there may be restrictions on what you can do and when. We can advise on this and help you stay compliant.

All green waste is removed from site and disposed of responsibly. Where possible, material is recycled or composted. Invasive species and other controlled waste are taken to licensed facilities.

Yes. We're used to working on sites with limited or awkward access. We'll assess the situation during the site visit and plan accordingly, using smaller equipment, carrying out work by hand, or arranging access through neighbouring land as needed.

If you've got land that needs clearing, Thor's Trees can help. We handle projects of all sizes across North London and Hertfordshire, from overgrown back gardens to large development sites. Contact us for a free quote or to talk through your project.