Stump grinding
Old stumps ground below grade so you can mow, plant or lay sod again.
Stump grinding in Wilmington NCLand clearing means removing brush, undergrowth, small trees and sometimes stumps from a lot so it can be built on, fenced, farmed or just used again. National price guides such as HomeGuide estimate roughly $1,200 to $8,000 per acre, depending on how thick the growth is. Under state law, disturbing more than one acre needs an approved erosion and sedimentation control plan first. Call (910) 543-1576 to request a land clearing quote.
Types of clearing
Lot clearing for building
Trees, stumps and roots removed from the house pad, driveway and septic area so the builder can grade. Usually the most expensive per acre because stumps come out.
Brush clearing
Overgrown yaupon, wax myrtle, greenbrier, cane and saplings cut back so you can see and use the ground again. Larger trees are left.
Forestry mulching
Brush and small trees ground in place into mulch. Good for back acreage, trails, firebreaks and view corridors.
Selective clearing
Keeping the best trees, such as healthy longleaf pines and live oaks, and removing the rest. More careful work, but you keep shade and value.
Land clearing cost per acre
About these numbers
These are HomeGuide's published national estimates. Local quotes depend on density, tree size, access, wetness and how debris is handled.
| Type | Estimated cost per acre | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Light clearing | $1,200 to $2,500 | Shrubs, underbrush, small trees |
| Moderate clearing | $2,500 to $4,500 | Thicker brush, medium trees |
| Heavy clearing | $4,500 to $8,000 | Dense growth and large trees |
| Forestry mulching | $500 to $1,000+ | Grinding in place, no hauling |
| Brush removal | $800 to $3,000 | Underbrush only |
HomeGuide also notes that smaller jobs cost more per acre (its estimate for a quarter acre is $800 to $3,000) because the crew still has to bring equipment out. Angi gives a broader estimate of $500 to $6,000 per acre for multi-tree removal by the acre. Stump removal, grading and fill are usually extra. For single trees, see the Wilmington tree removal cost guide.
Permits, erosion control and protected trees
Check before you cut
Clearing is where local rules matter most. Check these before any machine shows up:
- Land disturbance over one acre. New Hanover County Engineering says a land disturbance permit is required when more than one acre will be disturbed, or when a smaller parcel is part of a larger common plan of development. The county handles erosion and sediment control plans for the unincorporated county and the City of Wilmington, but not for Carolina Beach, Kure Beach or Wrightsville Beach. The county ordinance is worded as "an acre, or more than one acre", so if you are near an acre, check with New Hanover County Engineering (910-798-7139). In Brunswick and Pender counties, including Leland, Southport, Oak Island and Hampstead, plans go to NC DEQ's Wilmington Regional Office. See NHC Sediment & Erosion Control. The statewide program is described by NC DEQ erosion and sediment control.
- Tree removal permits before clearing. In the City of Wilmington, a tree removal permit is required for trees 4 inches or more in diameter on non-residential lots and residential lots over one acre, among other cases. New Hanover County regulates "documented", "significant" and "specimen" trees on land it covers, with specimen live oaks of 36 inches or more needing a variance. Details and links are in our tree removal permit requirements guide.
- Wetlands and coastal areas. Low ground near creeks, marsh and the Intracoastal may involve state or federal wetland rules or CAMA permits. If any part of the lot stays wet, ask the county before clearing.
- Brunswick and Pender counties. Rules differ by town and county. Check with the planning office where the land is, for example around Hampstead in Pender County.
Debris and stumps
Ask every crew how debris will be handled: hauled, chipped and spread, or piled. Stumps on a building site normally have to come out or be ground well below grade; see our stump grinding service page. Municipal curbside collection is not meant for clearing debris. Oak Island, for example, states that it will not collect yard debris generated by lot clearing or new construction.
Clearing a wooded lot north of Wilmington? See tree removal in Hampstead NC. For single trees and other work, see our tree company in Wilmington NC home page, or request a land clearing quote.
Common questions
What is forestry mulching?
A tracked machine with a rotating mulching head grinds standing brush and small trees into a layer of chips where they stand. Nothing is hauled away, and the mulch helps hold sandy soil in place. It suits trails, fence lines, back acreage and wildfire fuel reduction better than a building pad, where stumps and roots usually have to come out.
Can I burn the brush instead of hauling it?
Sometimes, outside town limits and only within state rules. The NC Forest Service requires a burn permit in many situations, and air quality rules limit what can be burned. Check the NC Forest Service open burning permits page and your local fire rules first.
How long does clearing a lot take?
A small, lightly wooded house lot may take a day or two. Heavily wooded acreage can take much longer. Wet weather slows everything on our sandy, low-lying ground.
Do I need a survey first?
For a building lot, usually yes. Knowing exactly where your lines, setbacks and any wetlands are prevents clearing the wrong ground. Your builder or the county can tell you what they need.
