Lot and brush clearing in Pomona, CA covers anything from a back corner that has not been touched in a long time to a vacant parcel full of dry weeds, volunteer trees and old stumps. We cut back the brush, remove unwanted small trees, chip what we can, haul the rest and leave the good trees standing and pruned. Call (909) 479-2666 and tell us roughly how big the area is and how you reach it.
What clearing usually includes
- Brush and weeds cut close to the ground with brush cutters and saws.
- Volunteer trees such as tree of heaven, palm seedlings, castor bean and elm suckers removed.
- Vines pulled from fences, walls and trees, including ivy and morning glory.
- Dead trees and shrubs taken out before they become a fire or pest problem.
- Stumps cut low or ground out. See stump grinding.
- Haul-off of everything that does not go through the chipper.
Typical clearing jobs in Pomona
The city has a mix of old and new lots, and clearing jobs reflect that:
- Rental turnovers and new purchases. Owners want an overgrown yard cleaned up before tenants or a remodel.
- Back corners and alleys. Many older Pomona lots back onto alleys where brush and trees have grown into the fence.
- Hillside lots in Phillips Ranch and Ganesha Hills. Steep slopes with dry grass and brush that need clearance.
- Vacant lots. Weeds and dry growth that the City can cite as a nuisance if left unattended.
- Project prep. Clearing an area for an ADU, garden, pool or new fence.
Keeping the trees worth keeping
Clearing does not have to mean scraping a lot bare. Before we start, we walk the area with you and flag trees and shrubs to keep, especially mature oaks, sycamores and healthy shade trees. Those get pruned and their root zones protected. In cities like Diamond Bar, Walnut and Chino Hills, native oaks, walnuts and sycamores can be protected by ordinance even on private land, so clearing around them needs extra care.
Weed abatement and fire clearance
Dry weeds and brush are a fire risk and a common source of City complaints. Pomona can require owners to clean up overgrown property, and the City's line for overgrown private trees and broken limbs is (909) 620-2374. In fire-prone areas, the Los Angeles County Fire Department sets brush clearance expectations, which you can read about on the LA County Fire site. Our defensible space service focuses on the zones closest to the house.
Erosion and slopes
Clearing a slope to bare dirt before the rainy season invites erosion. On hillside lots we usually:
- Cut brush low rather than grubbing out roots that hold the soil.
- Leave a layer of chips on the slope as mulch.
- Keep low, fire-resistant ground covers in place where possible.
- Schedule heavy clearing for late spring or early summer, when the soil is drier and erosion risk is lower.
Wildlife and nesting season
From about February through August, birds nest in brush and trees. Active nests are protected by state and federal law, so we check before cutting and leave active nests alone. Lizards, rabbits and other small animals often shelter in overgrowth too. Working in sections gives them a chance to move.
Pricing a clearing job
Clearing is priced by the size and density of the growth, the amount of material to haul, how far it is from the street and whether there are stumps, slopes or debris such as old fencing mixed in. Photos of the area from a few angles help us give you a ballpark before the visit.
Haul-off and what it does not include
We chip brush and small trees on site and haul away green waste and wood. We do not haul household trash, construction debris, tires or hazardous materials. If those are mixed into the brush, let us know ahead of time so you can arrange a separate pickup.
After the clearing
A cleared lot does not stay cleared on its own. Weeds and seedlings come back with the first rain, and fast growers like tree of heaven and castor bean resprout from roots left in the ground. Plan on a lighter follow-up cut in spring, before the growth dries out. If you want to keep the area low-maintenance, a thick layer of wood chips, landscape fabric under paths, or fire-resistant ground covers on slopes can slow regrowth. We can also schedule a seasonal visit so the lot never gets back to where it started. Call (909) 479-2666 to set up the first clearing.
Working with neighbors and alleys
Many clearing jobs involve a shared fence, an alley or brush that started on one property and spread to the next. We only cut on the property you own or control, and we let you know before we touch anything that seems to cross the line. If a neighbor's tree hangs over the fence, California law generally lets you trim it back to the property line, but not in a way that harms or kills the tree. Talking with the neighbor first usually makes the job go more smoothly.
Before a big clearing job, read our guide on protected oaks and walnuts so the right trees stay standing.
Common questions
Will you remove all the trees when clearing a lot?
Only if you want that. Before we start, we walk the area with you and mark the trees and shrubs to keep. Healthy mature trees are usually worth saving, and some native oaks, walnuts and sycamores are protected by ordinance in nearby cities. We prune the keepers and clear the brush around them.
Do you haul away the brush and debris?
Yes. Brush and small trees are chipped on site, and green waste and wood are hauled away. We do not haul household trash, construction debris, tires or hazardous materials, so if those are mixed in, plan a separate pickup or tell us ahead of time so we can talk about options.
When is the best time to clear brush in Pomona?
Late spring and early summer are ideal, after the rains have stopped and before the brush dries out completely. Clearing then reduces fire risk for the dry season and lowers erosion risk on slopes. We check for active bird nests during the nesting season, which runs about February through August.