Hillside Clearing

Reduce Fire Risk with Expert Brush and Tree Removal

If you live on or near a wooded hillside, fire safety isn’t optional — it’s essential. At Shaffer Tree Service, we specialize in hillside clearing and brush removal to help homeowners and property managers reduce wildfire risk and comply with local fire safety regulations.


Serving New Castle, PA and the surrounding 40-mile area, we clear overgrown vegetation, dead trees, and dry brush that fuel fires — especially around homes, garages, barns, and utility structures. With professional equipment and years of hands-on experience, we make steep or difficult terrain safer and more manageable.

Our Hillside Clearing Process

We use a strategic approach to ensure safety, code compliance, and minimal disruption to your landscape:

Site Assessment and Safety Check

We walk the hillside, identify high-risk zones, and evaluate access points for our equipment.

Customized Clearing Plan

Based on slope grade, vegetation density, and nearby structures, we develop a plan that meets local fire guidelines and your personal goals.

Clearing and Hauling

Using saws, trimmers, and heavy-duty equipment where needed, we remove all hazardous growth. Our log truck and hauling tools ensure nothing is left behind.

Optional Stump Grinding and Backfill

We can grind stumps or fill low spots as part of a full land restoration.

Final Cleanup and Inspection

Once complete, we remove all debris, rake the surface, and ensure your hillside is ready for inspection or safe use.

Why Hillside Clearing Matters

Hillsides are naturally more vulnerable during fire events due to wind exposure, dry ground cover, and fast flame spread. Without proper clearing, vegetation becomes a fuel source — and a threat to people, buildings, and property.



Clearing hillsides helps:


  • Create defensible space around structures
  • Comply with fire safety codes and insurance requirements
  • Improve emergency responder access
  • Protect homes, outbuildings, and fences from fire spread
  • Prevent fire from jumping to higher elevations
  • Reduce risk of property damage during dry seasons


Whether you're in a rural zone or a neighborhood with wooded slopes, proactive clearing can make a life-saving difference.

Equipped for Steep and Sloped Terrain

Clearing a hillside isn’t like clearing flat land — it takes special tools, safety protocols, and experience working on angled, uneven ground.



Shaffer Tree Service is equipped to handle:


  • Moderate to steep slopes
  • Wooded hillsides near homes or roads
  • Slopes with limited access or tight turns
  • Hills behind barns, garages, fences, or outbuildings
  • Drainage-sensitive or erosion-prone terrain


We use low-impact clearing methods that preserve soil integrity while removing only what’s necessary for fire safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I need hillside clearing if I don’t live in a high-fire zone?

    Yes — even in lower-risk areas, clearing brush improves safety, helps with insurance compliance, and reduces storm debris issues.

  • How often should I clear my hillside?

    Annually, or more often during dry seasons or after storms. We can set up a maintenance plan if needed.

  • Can you access steep or narrow areas?

    Yes. We have experience working on tight, challenging hillsides and will assess access before work begins.

  • Do you handle hauling too?

    Yes. All clearing includes full debris hauling, thanks to our in-house equipment and log truck.

What We Remove

Our hillside clearing services include removal of:



  • Dead or dying trees
  • Dry or overgrown brush and scrub
  • Low-hanging limbs and ladder fuels
  • Accumulated leaves and forest debris
  • Invasive vines and underbrush
  • Fallen limbs, branches, and logs


We assess the area, identify fire hazards, and clear accordingly — without damaging healthy, mature trees unless necessary.

Residential and Commercial Hillside Clearing

Our fire regulation clearing services are ideal for:



  • Homeowners with wooded backyards or sloped lots
  • HOAs and private communities enforcing fire-safe guidelines
  • Rural property owners with barnyards, stables, or fencing
  • Commercial landowners near treelines
  • Developers prepping land for construction or sale


No matter the size or condition of your hillside, we’ll clear it safely, thoroughly, and in full compliance with your area’s fire codes.

Schedule Fire-Safe Hillside Clearing Today

Don’t wait for fire season to take action. Shaffer Tree Service provides professional hillside clearing throughout New Castle and surrounding areas, helping you protect what matters most. Call (724) 944-2599 or email shaffertreeservice@yahoo.com to request a free, no-pressure estimate.