Land and lot clearing in Ontario, CA removes trees, brush, dead vegetation and stumps from a vacant lot, a back corner or an overgrown yard so it is safe, tidy and ready for whatever comes next. Owners usually call before building, before new landscaping, after buying a neglected property or after a weed abatement notice. We chip the brush, haul the debris and grind stumps if you want the ground fully open. Call (909) 479-2614 and tell us about the lot and what you plan to do with it.
What lot clearing includes
Every lot is different, but most jobs include some mix of these:
- Removing small and medium trees, volunteers and dead trees.
- Cutting and chipping brush, shrubs and vines.
- Clearing dry grass and weeds down to a low height.
- Removing dead palm fronds, fallen limbs and old wood piles.
- Stump grinding where the ground needs to be open.
- Hauling all debris away and leaving the site raked.
We do selective clearing too. If there is a healthy tree worth keeping, we work around it.
Why lots in Ontario get overgrown
Ontario was ranch, vineyard and dairy country for a long time, and pockets of open land still sit between neighborhoods and along older streets. Vacant lots, long side yards and the back corners of large parcels collect tumbleweeds, castor bean, tree of heaven and volunteer trees fast in the heat. Dry vegetation is a fire risk and attracts pests, and an overgrown lot can draw a notice from the City.
Weed abatement and city notices
Many cities in the Inland Empire require owners to keep vacant lots and yards clear of dry weeds and hazardous vegetation, and they send notices with a deadline when a lot is overgrown. If you received one, read the requirements carefully and contact the issuing office with questions. For general questions about properties in Ontario, start with the City of Ontario. We can clear to the standard the notice describes.
Clearing around buildings and fences
Brush against a structure is the worst place for it. Dry vegetation next to a garage, fence or shed can carry fire to it and hides rodent activity. We clear these areas first and leave a gap that is easy to maintain. If your property is in or near a fire hazard area, see defensible space tree work for the CAL FIRE zone approach.
Nesting birds
Spring and early summer is nesting season. Before clearing trees and dense brush during those months, we look for active nests, since California law protects nesting birds. If we find one, the work around it may need to wait or be adjusted.
Lots near Ontario landmarks
We clear lots across Ontario, from older parcels around Holt Boulevard and the Grove Avenue area to land near the warehouse districts south of Ontario International Airport, and residential lots in neighborhoods close to Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park.
Clearing in nearby cities
We also clear land in Jurupa Valley, where many large lots in Mira Loma, Glen Avon and Pedley have horse property and open ground, and in Fontana. If big trees need to come down as part of the clearing, see tree removal. Our defensible space zones guide is useful if fire risk is part of the reason you are clearing.
Equipment and access
Most residential lots are cleared with chainsaws, a chipper and hand crews, because heavy machines tear up soil and irrigation. On large or open lots, a skid steer with a brush attachment can speed the work. We look at gates, slopes, overhead lines and soft ground before deciding what to bring, and we tell you if anything on the lot, such as a septic area, a buried line or a fragile wall, needs to be avoided.
Keeping the lot clear
Cleared ground does not stay clear for long in the Inland Empire. Weeds return after the first rain, and volunteer trees come up from seed or roots. A follow-up visit in late spring, before grass and weeds dry out, keeps a lot tidy and ready for any inspection. If you want the ground to stay open, covering it with mulch or planting low ground cover slows regrowth. We can set up a regular visit or simply come back when you call.
Commercial and multi-unit properties
Property managers and owners of apartment buildings, small commercial centers and industrial sites call us to clear overgrown landscape strips, back fences and drainage areas. On those jobs we work around tenants and parking, schedule noisy work at reasonable hours and leave the site ready for the landscaper to take over.
Clearing after a property purchase
Buyers of older Ontario homes often inherit a back yard that has not been touched in a long time: overgrown hedges, dead citrus, a volunteer tree against the garage and a pile of old lumber. We start with a walk-through, agree on what stays and what goes, and clear it in one visit where possible.
Common questions
How long does it take to clear a lot?
A small backyard or side-yard clearing is often a single day. A large vacant lot with trees, heavy brush and stumps can take two or more days. The size of the lot, how dense the growth is, access for equipment and how much has to be hauled all affect the time. We give you a realistic estimate after seeing the site.
Do you clear lots for new construction?
We clear trees, brush and stumps so the site is open. Grading, soil work and anything that requires a grading permit are done by a grading contractor. If you are building, check with the city's building and planning department about which permits apply to the site before clearing starts.
Can you leave some trees on the lot?
Yes. Selective clearing is common. We mark the trees you want to keep, protect them during the work and clear around them. If a tree you want to keep has problems, such as deadwood or a bad lean, we will tell you so you can decide whether to prune it, keep it as is or remove it.