Featured Project Commercial Land Clearing & Invasive Species Removal for a Mendota Heights HOA A homeowners association in Mendota Heights faced an unsightly issue with an overgrown berm located along Sibley Memorial Highway. The landscape had become congested with invasive plants like buckthorn and prickly ash, creating a messy visual barrier that failed to meet the property's aesthetic standards. To prepare the site for a comprehensive landscaping upgrade, the association and its landscaping company partnered with our team to safely clear the steep terrain. The goal was to remove all unwanted brush and perform cosmetic pruning on the remaining desirable trees to set a clean stage for future plantings. Key Takeaways THE CHALLENGEThe steep, overgrown berm required heavy brush clearing without the use of standard heavy equipment due to the difficult terrain. THE PROCESSA four-person crew utilized hand saws to clear the invasive species and loaded the debris into a 30-ton loader. THE RESULTThe team efficiently hauled five loads of debris in one day, leaving a clean canvas for a rock wall and desirable plant installations. We partnered with a large commercial landscaping company to execute the initial clearing phase. Because the slope prevented standard machinery access, our arborists approached the job manually, prioritizing safety, efficiency, and positive communication with the local residents. Project Summary Client Profile: Condo Association & Landscape Partner Project Location: Mendota Heights, MN Primary Objective: Clear invasive brush to prepare the site for commercial tree services and future landscaping. Core Approach: Manual brush clearing, hauling, and cosmetic tree pruning. Key Outcome: A fully cleared and prepped slope completed efficiently in a single day. Assessing the Overgrown Highway Berm The berm separating the association's pond from the busy highway had been landscaped years ago but eventually grew wild. Invasive buckthorn, briars, and prickly ash took over the space, creating a dense thicket that residents found visually unappealing. Because the landscaping partner was preparing to install a new rock wall and fresh screening trees, the existing mess needed to be completely removed. The steep angle of the hill meant that our standard off-road lifts could not safely operate in the space, requiring a hands-on, manual approach. Executing the Land Clearing Process Our four-person crew arrived equipped with hand saws to tackle the dense brush. Climbers scaled the desirable trees left on site to perform light cosmetic pruning, ensuring the remaining canopy looked neat and healthy. The ground team worked efficiently to clear the cut debris, navigating around the newly installed rock wall without causing any damage. "In just one day, we set the canvas for a larger landscaping project. In the next phase, it will be all reforested with desirable, nice, maintainable plants." - (Chris, Expert Tree Service & Science) Throughout the day, our team maintained open communication with curious residents, explaining the long-term benefits of the clearing. We loaded all the debris into a 30-ton loader, ultimately hauling five large loads of brush off the property. A Clean Canvas for New Landscaping By the end of the day, the overgrown thicket was completely gone. The quick turnaround and thorough cleanup left the landscaping partner highly satisfied and kept the project running on schedule. The association residents, who initially expressed reservations about losing their visual screen, quickly appreciated the clean aesthetic. Once the new rock and maintainable trees are installed, the property will enjoy a healthy, beautiful barrier along the highway. Need Commercial Land Clearing? We have extensive experience working alongside associations and property managers to restore overgrown landscapes. Our certified arborists execute demanding jobs safely, leaving your property cleaner than we found it. Do you need help with a similar project in Mendota Heights? Contact us for an honest assessment. Expert Tree Service & Science 633 County Rd T, Hammond, WI 54015 Call 651-239-3672 or Schedule Online Frequently Asked Questions How do you clear steep terrain in Mendota Heights? When heavy machinery cannot safely access a steep slope, we use a manual approach. Our trained crews use hand saws and specialized climbing techniques to safely cut and remove brush without damaging the surrounding landscape or newly built structures. What happens to the brush after land clearing? We physically remove the debris from the site to ensure a clean finish. For large projects, we utilize heavy loaders to haul away the cut brush, leaving the ground ready for topsoil, rocks, or new plantings. Will land clearing disturb the neighborhood? We prioritize professionalism and open communication on every job site. Our crews are trained to respectfully answer questions from homeowners and work efficiently to minimize noise and disruption during the project.