Wooded acreage to open up, a building site to prep, or storm-downed trees and brush to clear off the driveway? We clear land and handle storm debris cleanup in Graham, in unincorporated Pierce County.
Land clearing jobs from $1,500. Call or text 360-899-8468Text us for a free estimate. Photos help.
Planning a bigger project or not sure where to start? Book a land & site consultation.
Working in and around Graham
Graham is an unincorporated community about 16 miles southeast of Tacoma along Meridian Avenue East (SR 161). Properties range from subdivision lots to wooded acreage with long driveways. Main roads: Meridian (SR 161) past Graham-Kapowsin High School, south toward Clear Lake and Tanwax Lake, east toward Kapowsin and north to South Hill.
Expect Douglas-fir, western red cedar and western hemlock, with red alder and bigleaf maple in wetter spots and along creeks. Slopes down to creeks and wet pockets are common, and wetlands and stream buffers can change what is allowed.
Land clearing in Graham
Graham is unincorporated Pierce County: a site development permit is needed for clearing more than 7,000 sq ft or grading more than 50 cubic yards (far less in a critical area). Wetlands, streams and steep slopes are critical areas, so we look for them at the site visit.
On the job we typically:
- Forestry-mulch brush, Scotch broom, blackberries and small trees, working around the trees you want kept
- Pull stumps and roots with the excavator, or grind when you want less soil disturbance
- Haul material when you want a clean finish for seed, gravel or a building pad
- Grade after clearing so the driveway or pad is ready for the next step
See land clearing for the full service, or book a land & site consultation. The equipment we bring to the job is matched to the site.
Mulch or haul?
We clear brush and small trees with a forestry mulcher, which cuts down on hauling. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency prohibits land-clearing fires across Pierce County, so brush and debris are mulched or hauled, not burned.
Storm cleanup of downed trees and debris
New subdivisions cut out of forest leave edge trees exposed to wind, and wet snow breaks fir and cedar tops. Downed wood often ends up across long driveways.
We clear downed trees, limbs and brush off driveways, yards and building sites, then continue into full clearing when that is the plan. For larger tree takedowns, see tree removal. Soft or ponding ground after storms often pairs with drainage work.
Sewer or septic in Graham
Graham is partly inside the Pierce County Sewer service area, but not every parcel is connected. Confirm on the county map or call (253) 798-4050. On septic lots we plan clearing around the tank, drainfield and reserve area.
How it works
- Call or text 360-899-8468Text us, or send photos and the address.
- Walk the ground. We mark the trees you want kept and look for wet spots, slopes, oaks, septic areas and anything that might trigger a county or city permit. Estimates usually within a couple of days.
- Written quote that spells out the clearing area and what happens to the material.
- Clear. The equipment we bring to the job is matched to the site: forestry mulcher, skid steer with a grapple, excavator for stumps. Before stump pulling or grading we call 811 (RCW 19.122.030); private lines such as a side sewer or a water line to a shop aren’t marked by 811, so we locate those too.
Why Baxter’s
- 20+ years of experience in excavation and land work.
- Licensed, Bonded & Insured, WA contractor registration #BAXTEET811JA.
- We call back quickly, and estimates usually come within a couple of days. Call or text 360-899-8468Text us with the address and a few photos.
- One crew from clearing to grading: clearing, stump work, grading, driveways and drainage.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to clear acreage in Graham?
Usually, for anything sizable. Pierce County requires a site development permit for clearing more than 7,000 sq ft or grading more than 50 cubic yards, and for nearly any work in a critical area such as a wetland or stream buffer.
Can you build a driveway after clearing?
Yes. We clear, strip, grade and rock gravel driveways and building pads as part of the same job when that is in the quote.
Do you clean up storm-downed trees on wooded lots?
Yes. We clear access first, then continue into full lot clearing if you want the ground opened for a home or shop.
Can I burn the brush?
Not land-clearing debris. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency prohibits land-clearing fires across Pierce County, so we mulch or haul.
Areas around Graham
We cover Graham along Meridian, south toward Clear Lake and Tanwax Lake, east toward Kapowsin, and north to South Hill.
Nearby: Puyallup, Spanaway, Roy. See all Pierce County service areas.
Get a free quote
Tell us the address and what you need. Photos help. Office hours: Monday–Friday 7 AM–6 PM and Saturday 8 AM–2 PM, closed Sunday.
Related: Land clearing · Drainage · Tree removal · Land & site consultation · All Pierce County service areas · Storm tree removal in Graham (our tree site)
Baxter’s Excavation & Tree Removal LLC · Land clearing and storm cleanup in Graham, Pierce County, WA · Licensed, Bonded & Insured · WA reg #BAXTEET811JA · Call or text 360-899-8468Text us
