Last reviewed: April 2026 by Henry Kowalec, CF
I'm Henry Kowalec, a certified consulting forester with Environmental Forest Products. We handle land clearing in Pike County, PA — from wooded residential lots near Matamoras and Milford to lake-community clearing in Lords Valley and Greentown. Call (845) 754-8242 to discuss your project.
Pike County sits on the Pocono plateau, adjacent to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The terrain is heavily forested — glaciated hardwood and mixed forest with a lot of lake-community lots that landowners want cleared for building or access. Many of these properties have real timber value that a general contractor won't identify. We do.
What land clearing services do you offer in Pike County?
- Lot and site clearing — residential lots, lake-community parcels, and rural acreage prepared for building or access.
- Selective clearing — removing targeted trees while preserving canopy, structure, or specific species the landowner wants to keep.
- Forestry mulching — grinding brush and light-to-moderate timber in place. Effective for lake-community lots with moderate vegetation.
- Right-of-way clearing — driveway access, utility corridors, and perimeter clearing on wooded Pike County parcels.
- Brush and overgrowth reclamation — clearing overgrown lots and camp properties that have been off-market or unmanaged.
- Stump grinding — stump removal for a site-ready finish after clearing.
What does land clearing cost in Pike County?
Clearing cost in Pike County depends on vegetation density, tree size, terrain, and debris handling. Light brush and sapling-density lots run $800 to $1,500 per acre. Moderate forest with trees up to 10–12 inches runs $1,500 to $3,000 per acre. Dense Pocono hardwood with large-diameter timber can reach $3,000 to $6,000+ per acre.
Wooded lots with marketable timber may recover some of that cost through a timber sale before clearing. See the land clearing cost guide for the full breakdown.
Land clearing rules and permits in Pike County
Pennsylvania's Chapter 102 erosion and sediment control regulations apply to earth disturbance activities in Pike County. Clearing projects that involve significant earth disturbance, grading, or work near streams may require an E&S Control plan and permit through the Pike County Conservation District. This is a topic worth planning for before equipment arrives — thresholds and requirements can vary by project scope, slope, and proximity to waterways.
Pike County is also adjacent to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and includes sensitive stream corridors. Clearing work near watercourses warrants a careful look at applicable PA DCNR and federal requirements. We recommend confirming with your local municipality and the Conservation District before scheduling clearing work.
Why work with a certified forester for land clearing?
Pike County's Pocono lots are often purchased for recreation or building, but many have hardwood and mixed forest with real stumpage value. A certified forester identifies what can be sold before the mulcher arrives. That assessment typically pays for itself, and on properties with good-quality oak, maple, or birch, it can significantly reduce net clearing cost.
If your property has timber worth recovering, see our timber marketing services.
Towns we serve in Pike County
We work throughout Pike County, including Milford, Matamoras, Dingmans Ferry, Lords Valley, Greentown, Hawley (near Wayne County), and surrounding communities. Call to confirm coverage for your property.
Talk to a certified forester.
Henry has worked the woods of the Pocono and Catskill region for over 30 years. Call (845) 754-8242 or request a consultation to talk through your project.
Call (845) 754-8242Also serving nearby counties
Sources & Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does land clearing cost per acre in Pike County?
Land clearing in Pike County typically runs $800 to $6,000+ per acre depending on vegetation density, tree size, terrain, and debris handling. The Pocono plateau's heavily forested lots — common in the lake communities and Delaware Water Gap area — tend toward the higher end. Properties with merchantable hardwoods may recover some cost through timber sale before equipment starts.
Do I need a permit to clear land in Pike County?
In Pennsylvania, earth disturbance activity that meets certain thresholds may require an Erosion and Sediment (E&S) Control permit under PA Chapter 102 regulations. Clearing near streams or in areas with steep slopes can trigger this review. Pike County is in a conservation-sensitive area adjacent to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, so it's worth confirming permit requirements with your local municipality and the Pike County Conservation District before scheduling work.
Can you clear land and leave the good timber to sell?
Yes. Pike County's Pocono forests carry a mix of hardwood and softwood timber — oak, maple, birch, and eastern white pine. Before clearing equipment arrives, I assess what's on the property and identify merchantable timber worth recovering. Those trees are cut and removed for sale before the mulcher starts. It's one of the most effective ways to reduce net clearing cost on a wooded lot.
How soon can you start a Pike County land clearing job?
Scheduling depends on current project load and season. Late fall through early spring is preferred for clearing work in Pike County — frozen or firm ground allows equipment access with less rutting. Contact us with your project details to get a current timeline estimate.