You get a construction-ready site the first time. No surprises about drainage issues three months into your build. No delays because the previous contractor left stumps two inches below grade that your foundation crew just hit.
Your land clearing includes everything needed to move forward. Complete tree removal, stump grinding below grade level, and all debris hauled away. Proper grading that establishes drainage patterns and creates level building areas.
Most importantly, you get realistic timelines from someone who’s been clearing land in Johnsburg since the late 1990s. We know the soil conditions, the terrain challenges, and what it actually takes to prepare sites properly in this region.
Emerson Excavating and Trucking started as a logging operation in 1997 and transitioned to full-time excavation in 2020. Josh runs the operation with his son, who joined as a partner in 2022.
You’re working with operators who understand the difference between clearing land and preparing a site for construction. That experience shows up in fewer surprises, realistic timelines, and sites that are actually ready for your next contractor.
We’ve cleared wooded properties, overgrown fields, and challenging terrain that other contractors walk away from. In Johnsburg’s terrain, proper clearing means understanding drainage patterns and soil conditions specific to this area.
First, we walk your property together. You show us what stays, what goes, and any concerns about access or neighboring properties. We identify underground utilities, plan equipment access routes, and discuss your timeline.
Since Johnsburg is within the Adirondack Park, we help you understand any permit requirements before work begins. We know the local regulations about tree removal near wetlands and setback requirements from property lines.
Once permits are secured, we handle the clearing systematically. Tree removal of any size, complete stump grinding below grade level, and brush clearing. All debris gets loaded and hauled away—no burn piles or cleanup left for you. Site grading establishes proper drainage and creates level areas for building.
We coordinate with your other contractors about timing and site conditions. Your next contractor can start work immediately without additional site work or delays.
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Your land clearing service includes complete tree removal, stump grinding below grade level, and brush clearing. All debris gets loaded and hauled away as part of the service—trees go to lumber mills if they have value, or to approved disposal sites. Brush and smaller material goes to composting facilities.
Site preparation gets your property ready for construction with proper grading for drainage, level building areas, and established access routes. We plan equipment access for construction vehicles and coordinate timing with your other contractors.
In Johnsburg specifically, we understand the Adirondack Park regulations and local permitting requirements. Most residential lots take 2-5 days depending on tree density and size. We help guide you through local requirements, though permits are typically handled by the property owner or general contractor.
Yes, Johnsburg is within the Adirondack Park, which has specific regulations about land clearing and tree removal. You’ll need to check with the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) to determine if your project requires permits before any work begins.
Johnsburg has specific regulations about tree removal near wetlands and setback requirements from property lines. We know these local rules and will flag any potential issues during our site visit. If your project requires special permits or environmental considerations, we’ll let you know upfront so there are no delays once we start work.
We help guide you through the local requirements, but permits are typically handled by the property owner or your general contractor. The key is getting this sorted before any clearing begins—no work can start until proper permits are in place.
Most residential lots in Johnsburg take 2-5 days depending on tree density and size. A lightly wooded half-acre lot might be done in two days, while a heavily forested acre with large trees could take the full five days.
The timeline depends on several factors: the number and size of trees, terrain accessibility, and weather conditions. We also factor in time for proper site grading and debris removal—not just the clearing itself.
What matters more than speed is doing it right. We’ve seen what happens when sites aren’t prepared correctly: foundation issues, drainage problems, and construction delays that cost far more than doing it right the first time. Your project gets the benefit of our experience with realistic timelines that account for Johnsburg’s specific terrain challenges.
All debris gets loaded and hauled away as part of our service—you won’t have burn piles, slash piles, or cleanup left on your property. Trees are either taken to lumber mills if they have value, or to approved disposal sites. Brush and smaller material goes to composting facilities.
Some clients ask to keep certain logs for firewood or lumber, and we can work with that if you let us know ahead of time. We’ll stack them where you want them on your property.
This is different from contractors who just clear and leave. You get a clean site that’s ready for your next phase of construction. No additional cleanup costs, no waiting for debris removal, and no dealing with disposal logistics yourself.
Yes, selective clearing is a big part of what we do. Many homeowners want to preserve mature trees for shade, privacy, or aesthetic reasons while clearing areas for the house, driveway, and septic system.
During our initial site walk, you show us exactly what stays and what goes. We mark the trees you want to keep and plan our equipment routes to protect them during clearing operations. We understand that some trees add significant value to your property.
The key is planning this upfront. Once we start clearing, it’s too late to change your mind about which trees to save. We take time during the planning phase to help you think through which trees will work with your building plans and which ones might cause problems down the road.
Land clearing removes trees and vegetation. Site preparation gets your property ready for construction. That includes proper grading for drainage, creating level building areas, establishing access routes, and coordinating with your other contractors about site conditions.
Many contractors just clear and leave—you get a pile of stumps and uneven ground. Site preparation means your next contractor can start work immediately without additional site work or delays.
We handle both as part of our service. The clearing gets the trees and brush out of the way. The site preparation ensures proper drainage, creates the level areas you need for building, and establishes access routes for construction vehicles. Your foundation crew, septic installer, and other contractors can start work right away.
Proper grading is critical in Johnsburg’s terrain, especially with our soil conditions and drainage patterns. We don’t just remove trees—we establish proper drainage and create level building areas as part of the clearing process.
This means understanding where water naturally flows on your property and working with those patterns, not against them. We create gentle slopes that direct water away from building areas and toward appropriate drainage points.
We’ve seen what happens when this step gets skipped: foundation problems, basement water issues, and construction delays that cost thousands more than doing it right initially. Your site preparation includes grading that works with Johnsburg’s specific terrain challenges and soil conditions.
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