Last reviewed: April 2026 by Henry Kowalec, CF
I'm Henry Kowalec, a certified consulting forester with Environmental Forest Products. We handle land clearing throughout Ulster County — from lot clearing near New Paltz and Marlborough to rural acreage work in the Catskill and Shawangunk foothills. Call (845) 754-8242 to talk through your project.
Ulster County sits at the base of the Catskill Mountains and along the Shawangunk Ridge — diverse terrain with heavy hardwood stands, hemlock, and significant wetland and stream features. Parts of the county fall within the New York City water-supply watershed, which means clearing near streams or watercourses in those areas warrants extra planning. We know this ground well.
What land clearing services do you offer in Ulster County?
- Lot and site clearing — residential lots, rural parcels, and camp property cleared for building, farming, or access.
- Selective clearing — removing targeted trees or species while maintaining stand structure or specimen trees the landowner wants to keep.
- Forestry mulching — grinding brush and light-to-moderate timber in place. Efficient for vegetation up to 12 inches in diameter with minimal soil disturbance.
- Right-of-way clearing — road access corridors, utility easements, and perimeter clearing on Ulster County parcels.
- Brush and overgrowth reclamation — reverting fields and abandoned agricultural land brought back to a managed condition.
- Stump grinding — stump removal after clearing or tree work for a site-ready finish.
What does land clearing cost in Ulster County?
Clearing cost in Ulster County depends on vegetation density, tree size, terrain, and debris handling. Light brush and saplings run $800 to $1,500 per acre. Moderate forest with trees up to 10–12 inches runs $1,500 to $3,000 per acre. The heavier hardwood stands in the Catskill foothills and Shawangunk slopes can reach $3,000 to $6,000+ per acre.
Properties with marketable hardwoods may offset some of that cost through timber recovery before clearing begins. See the land clearing cost guide for a detailed breakdown of what drives the price.
Land clearing rules and permits in Ulster County
Ulster County has several regulatory layers worth planning for. New York's Article 24 requires DEC review for clearing work within 100 feet of a regulated freshwater wetland. Parts of Ulster County — particularly in the Wawarsing and Ellenville areas and the portions of the Catskill watershed that drain into the Ashokan Reservoir — fall within the NYC water-supply watershed. Clearing near streams or watercourses in those areas can receive extra regulatory scrutiny and is worth confirming before scheduling work.
Local municipalities in Ulster County may also require clearing or grading permits independent of state requirements. As a NY DEC Region 3 forester, I can walk your property and identify what regulated features are present before work starts.
Why work with a certified forester for land clearing?
Ulster County's terrain — Catskill slopes, Shawangunk ridges, watershed-sensitive stream corridors — rewards careful pre-clearing assessment. A certified forester identifies timber value before the equipment arrives, flags regulated features to avoid DEC compliance issues, and can design a clearing approach that protects the long-term management value of the remaining woodland.
If your property has timber worth recovering, see our timber marketing services. If the remaining woodland may qualify for New York's 480-a property tax reduction, see 480-a consulting.
Towns we serve in Ulster County
We work throughout Ulster County, including New Paltz, Saugerties, Kingston, Ellenville, Wawarsing, Marlborough, Woodstock, Phoenicia, Accord, and surrounding communities. Call to confirm coverage for your specific location.
Talk to a certified forester.
Henry has worked the woods of Ulster County 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 Ulster County?
Land clearing in Ulster County typically runs $800 to $6,000+ per acre depending on vegetation density, tree size, terrain, and debris handling. The Catskill Mountain and Shawangunk Ridge terrain tends toward heavier hardwood stands that cost more to clear than lower-elevation valley land. Merchantable timber — red oak, black cherry, hard maple — on properties being cleared may offset some cost through timber recovery before equipment starts.
Do I need a permit to clear land in Ulster County?
In Ulster County, DEC Article 24 review applies to work within 100 feet of a regulated wetland. Parts of Ulster County fall within the Ashokan Reservoir and NYC water-supply watershed, where clearing work near streams or watercourses can receive additional regulatory scrutiny. Your town or village may also have local clearing or grading permits. This is worth planning for before equipment arrives — I can walk your site and identify what regulatory considerations apply.
Can you clear land and leave the good timber to sell?
Yes. Before clearing equipment is scheduled, I walk the property and identify trees with merchantable stumpage value. On Ulster County sites — particularly on the Catskill and Shawangunk slopes — that often means red oak, black cherry, hard maple, and eastern white pine. Recoverable timber is marked and sold before the mulcher or bulldozer arrives. In the right situation, that recovered value meaningfully offsets the clearing cost.
How soon can you start an Ulster County land clearing job?
Scheduling depends on current project load and the time of year. November through March is preferred for clearing work in Ulster County — firm ground allows equipment access with less rutting and soil damage. Contact us with your project details for a current schedule estimate.