Vegetation Clearance

Lowther Forestry provides comprehensive vegetation clearance services across the United Kingdom. With over 46 years of experience, we have the knowledge and mechanical capability to remove scrub, brash, invasive plants and overgrown vegetation to prepare sites for development, restore habitats or improve access.

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Plant and Equipment

Our vegetation clearance services cover scrub and brash clearance, invasive plant removal, overgrown land reclamation, site preparation for development and construction, habitat restoration clearance, and access route clearance and improvement.

Mechanised site clearance can deliver significant cost savings to vegetation management projects. We operate a diverse range of plant and equipment, including tree shears and flails on excavators, Menzi Mucks and cranes, timber harvesters, forwarders, mulchers and whole-tree chippers. Our highly skilled operatives are trained to work safely in difficult or sensitive locations, protecting soils, watercourses and the surrounding environment. All works follow strict ecological protocols, seasonal timing constraints and, where relevant, protected species surveys.

We plan operations in collaboration with ecologists, site managers, landowners, contractors and regulators to deliver reliable, nature-sensitive programmes on schedule and to budget.

Waterway and vegetation clearance by Lowther Forestry
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NHSS 18A, 18B
and 18C Accredited

Fully accredited under the National Highway Sector Scheme for landscaping and arboricultural works, ensuring compliance and quality across all grounds maintenance operations.
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Specialist Plant for
Every Terrain

Metrac mountain tractors, ultra-low ground pressure tracked equipment, amphibious plant and robotic mowers allow our teams to operate safely on steep, waterlogged and sensitive ground.
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Specialist Plant
for Every Terrain

Using specialist low-impact machinery, we work safely and efficiently on steep, wet, and sensitive ground, delivering dependable results where conventional equipment cannot.

Proven Delivery Across Decades of Partnership

Our grounds maintenance services are founded on long-standing partnerships with leading infrastructure, utility, and environmental organisations across the UK. We deliver both planned maintenance programmes and responsive vegetation management solutions, supported by over 46 years of industry experience.

From routine grass cutting and landscape maintenance across extensive asset networks to specialist vegetation management in sensitive and environmentally important locations, our skilled teams provide the expertise, equipment, and reliability needed to maintain safe, compliant, and well-managed landscapes year-round.

Grass cutting and vegetation management by Lowther Forestry
Grass cutting and vegetation management by Lowther Forestry

Trusted By Main Contractors, Utilities and Public Bodies

Selected Project

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT Grass cutting and vegetation management by Lowther Forestry

Environment Agency North Hub Framework

Lowther were named as a primary supplier to the Environment Agency to deliver works across three regional hubs: Cumbria & Lancashire, Greater Manchester & Cheshire and Yorkshire in 2024. Delivering routine vegetation management (both in…

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Testimonials

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Thanks so much for going the extra mile to keep our roads safe. Your commitment to excellence really shows. Keep up the fantastic work.

5 Star Review for Wired by Jessops (Cornwall) icon.

Nationally recognised accreditations

NHSS 18A, 18B and 18C accredited for landscaping and arboricultural works. Certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.

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BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) logo
ISO 9001 logo
ISO 45001 logo
ISO 14001 logo
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Five Offices Across the UK

Our regional offices sit in Penrith (Cumbria, head office), Castleford (Yorkshire and the North East), Runcorn (North West), Milton Keynes (South and East) and the West Midlands. Tree surveying and Advanced Tree Assessments are run from our Penrith team and travel nationally. Project teams come from the office closest to your site.

See Our Regional Offices

Common Questions About Vegetation Clearance

What types of vegetation can you clear?
We clear a wide range of vegetation including scrub, brash, invasive plant species, overgrown hedgerows, self-seeded trees, bramble, and dense undergrowth. Whether a site has become neglected over time or requires targeted removal of specific plant species, our teams have the experience and equipment to handle it safely and efficiently.
Do you follow ecological protocols during clearance?
Yes. All vegetation clearance works follow strict ecological protocols. We observe seasonal timing constraints to protect nesting birds and other wildlife, and we commission protected species surveys where relevant. Our teams work in collaboration with ecologists to ensure every project meets regulatory requirements and minimises environmental impact.
What equipment do you use for vegetation clearance?
We operate a diverse fleet of specialist plant and machinery, including tree shears and flails mounted on excavators, Menzi Mucks, cranes, timber harvesters, forwarders, mulchers and whole-tree chippers. This mechanised approach allows us to work efficiently across sites of all sizes while delivering cost savings compared to manual methods.
Can you handle large-scale site clearance projects?
Yes. With over 46 years of experience and a substantial fleet of specialist machinery, we regularly deliver large-scale vegetation clearance for development sites, infrastructure projects and land reclamation schemes. We plan operations in collaboration with site managers, contractors and regulators to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
How do you manage waste from vegetation clearance?
Green waste is managed responsibly on every project. Depending on site requirements, cleared material can be chipped on site for reuse as mulch or biomass, removed for processing at licensed facilities, or managed through controlled burning where permitted. We work with you to determine the most practical and cost-effective waste management approach for your project.