Land clearing in the North Valley
North Valley lots carry decades of farm history, from orchards and pens to tree rows that got away. We clear what's left, with an eye on the ditch, the soil and anything buried.
Find out whose rules apply first
A North Valley address can be inside Albuquerque city limits, in unincorporated Bernalillo County, or in the Village of Los Ranchos. Each has its own rules for weeds, litter and grading. Bernalillo County has an online tool that shows a property's permitting jurisdiction, and any notice you've received names who sent it.
Half-acre lots with a farm past
Many properties here were small farms or horse lots, and what we clear reflects that: dead fruit trees in an old orchard, collapsing pens and sheds, fence lines buried in brush, and long rows of Siberian elm, Russian olive and salt cedar that spread well beyond whoever planted them.
The ground is river silt and clay. It digs easily, which makes stump removal straightforward, but it holds water and turns soft after rain or irrigation. Heavy machines on wet silt leave ruts that take a long time to fix, so we pick firm days.
Clearing also changes how water moves. A lot left flat and bare will hold puddles in its low spots, so when it makes sense we finish with a light grade that moves water away from the house.
What shapes a valley clearing job
These are the details that change how long the job takes and what it involves.
- Tree row length and density
- A long row of mature elm and Russian olive means cutting, stump work and hauling, and it's often the biggest part of the job.
- Private lines
- Wells, septic tanks, leach fields and buried irrigation aren't marked by 811. The more we know about them up front, the faster we can work near them.
- Ditches and easements
- If a ditch runs along the lot, we keep material out of it and work only on your side.
- Old structures
- Pens, sheds and coops often come with wire, metal and concrete that need separate handling.
- Soil moisture
- Recent rain or irrigation can push heavy work back a few days.
Clearing next to wells, septic and buried pipe
We request a New Mexico 811 locate before digging, but 811 marks public utilities, not the private lines older valley properties often have. A forgotten septic tank under the brush can change a job quickly.
Walk the property with us and point out what you know. If you aren't sure, we slow down and use smaller equipment wherever something is likely to be buried.
Book a North Valley site walk
We'll look at the trees, the ground and the ditch with you, then send a written quote with scope and haul-off spelled out.
Prefer to talk it through? Call (505) 578-0369.
Land clearing questions in North Valley
Can you clear my lot if it is in unincorporated Bernalillo County?
Yes. We work on both city and county parcels in the valley. The difference is mainly whose rules apply to notices, grading and permits, not how the clearing gets done.
Why would you postpone my clearing after it rains?
Valley silt and clay stay soft after rain or irrigation. Running loaded machines on it leaves deep ruts, so a short delay usually saves you from regrading later.
Do you haul off old pens, coops and fencing too?
Yes. Wood, wire and metal from old structures can go out with the brush. Concrete pads are quoted separately because they take different equipment.
More services in North Valley
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Let's walk your property. The estimate is free.
We come out, look at the lot with you, and hand you a written quote. No pressure, no obligation.