Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

Based on your local municipal laws, you may be required to obtain a permit before removing a tree. In the city of Ottawa, a tree permit is required if the tree is over 30cm in diameter at chest height. In the township of Russell, you do not require a permit to cut down a tree.

How will the tree be cut down?

We use many different methods when removing trees, including climbing, or using bucket trucks and cranes when needed. We also use a wide range of rigging equipment to delicately lower large branches or logs to the ground to avoid damage to turf or objects surrounding the work area.

When should a tree be removed?

A tree should only be removed when there’s no other option. This includes if it dies, becomes unsafe, gets diseased or infested by insects, blocks construction, is leaning over, or is growing too close to your home.

Lot & Land Clearing in Ottawa | Green Thumb Tree Specialists

Professional lot clearing service from Ottawa’s trusted land clearing company – residential, commercial, and new construction.

Professional Lot & Land Clearing Services in Ottawa

Not every company that calls itself a land clearing company can handle the full scope of what Ottawa properties actually demand. Between the city’s Tree Protection By-law, the mix of urban infill lots and rural acreage east of the Greenbelt, and the clay-heavy soil that makes stump removal more involved than it sounds, land clearing here requires real experience. Our team has worked across Orleans, Vars, Greely, Embrun, Russell, and throughout the Ottawa Valley, and we bring that local knowledge to every job we take on.

Green Thumb Tree Specialists is Ottawa’s experienced lot clearing company for residential and commercial projects. Our lot-clearing service is designed to handle everything from small residential jobs to large-scale commercial sites. We bring certified arborists, the right heavy equipment, and a crew that doesn’t leave until the job is actually done. Whether you’re preparing a lot for new construction, reclaiming overgrown acreage, or clearing brush along a property line, we handle it all.

Land Clearing Services We Offer

We handle the full scope of lot-clearing services, from a single overgrown backyard to multi-acre rural properties being prepared for construction. Every project gets a site assessment first, so there are no surprises in the quote and no delays on the job.

Residential Lot Clearing

Whether you’re preparing an infill lot in Kanata or clearing a hedge-row in Nepean that’s been overtaking your yard for years, we assess the scope, pull any necessary permits, and handle the clearing from start to stump.

Commercial Land Clearing

Commercial timelines are tight, and the stakes are higher. Our lot clearing company has the equipment capacity and crew size to move through commercial sites efficiently without cutting corners on safety or cleanup.

Bush & Brush Clearing

Overgrown brush, scrub trees, and invasive species like Manitoba maple and buckthorn are common across Ottawa-area properties. We clear and chip on-site where possible, keeping haul-away costs down and your timeline on track.

Land Clearing for New Construction

We work directly with builders and developers to prepare lots for foundation work, including grading-ready removal of stumps and root masses that would otherwise interfere with excavation. Timing-aware and communication-forward on every build.

What’s Included in Our Lot Clearing Service

A lot-clearing service is about more than just cutting and removing. Green Thumb handles everything needed to turn an overgrown space into a clean, usable area.

Tree & Stump Removal

We fell trees of any size, chip or haul the wood, and grind stumps below grade. Your cleared property won’t have obstacles hidden beneath a thin layer of topsoil, waiting to cause problems during excavation.

Bush & Brush Removal

Every overgrown shrub, tangle of brush, and patch of dense vegetation gets cut down and removed entirely, chipped on-site where possible, hauled away where not. We leave the ground clear and ready, not just trimmed back to grow again in a few weeks.

Tree Removal Service Ottawa, Embrun & Russell

Debris Hauling & Cleanup

Every branch, log, root, and piece of debris is left on your property with our crew. We haul everything away, leaving your land clean, level, and truly ready for the next phase of your project.

Why Ottawa Property Owners Choose Green Thumb

Green Thumb is a certified arborist company, not a general landscaping crew with a rented chipper. That distinction matters when you’re dealing with protected trees under Ottawa’s Tree Protection By-law, or when a neighbor’s property sits within five feet of where a tree needs to come down. We know the by-law, handle the permit applications ourselves, and work in a way that doesn’t create problems for you after we leave.

We’ve cleared properties across Ottawa’s urban core and out into the rural communities east and south of the city. We understand the soil conditions, the seasonal timing that matters in Eastern Ontario, and how to protect existing structures during large-scale land clearing. Pricing is always upfront and honest, a clear quote before we start, no hidden fees, no uncomfortable conversations after the work is done.

Lot & Land Clearing Services in Ottawa | FAQ Guide

If you’re planning a lot clearing projects in Ottawa, these answers come from a certified arborist team with hands-on experience across the region.

How much does lot clearing cost in Ottawa?

Cost depends on lot size, number of trees, stump count, and debris volume. Contact us for a free on-site quote. We provide transparent, itemized pricing before any work begins.

How long does it take to clear a lot in Ottawa?

A standard residential lot clears in one to two days. Larger rural parcels or complex commercial sites may take longer. We give you a realistic timeline during the site assessment.

Do I need a permit to clear land in Ottawa?

It depends on the trees involved. Ottawa’s Tree Protection By-law protects certain species and sizes. We identify which trees require permits and handle the full application process on your behalf.

Do you remove stumps as part of the lot clearing service?

Yes. Stump grinding is included in our full lot clearing service packages. We grind to below grade so the site is ready for grading, construction, or seeding without any obstruction.

Can you clear land in winter in Ottawa?

Yes, and winter is often an ideal time for land clearing in Eastern Ontario. Frozen ground reduces soil disturbance and protects the root systems of trees you want to keep. We operate year-round.

Get a Free Lot Clearing Quote in Ottawa Today

Land clearing projects move faster when you start with the right team. As a trusted land-clearing company, our team is ready to assess your property and provide a realistic plan to clear and clean it up, so it’s ready for whatever you’re building next.
Contact Green Thumb Tree Specialists today to get your free land clearing estimate in Ottawa.

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