🏡 Beyond the Trees — Property & Land Services

Grading, Retaining Walls
& Property Improvements

Once the trees are down, River Birch can finish the job. We clear and grade lots, build retaining walls, cut in driveways, and handle drainage across Boone, Deep Gap & the High Country — one fully-insured local crew from the first cut to the final grade.

  • Fully Insured
  • 5.0★ on Google
  • Steep-Lot Experience
  • Free Estimates
5.0★ Google Rating 5-Star Rated on Google
Fully Insured On Every Job, Every Time
24/7 Emergency Storm & Ice Response
Deep Gap & Watauga County Boone · Blowing Rock · Vilas & More
The River Birch crew clearing a mountain lot with an excavator and equipment in Watauga County, NC
The finish work after the trees come down

One crew, from the first tree to the final grade

A lot of our tree jobs don't end at the stump. After we clear the trees, the same River Birch crew can grade the site, build the wall that holds back the slope, cut in the driveway, and sort out the drainage — so you deal with one local, insured company for the whole project instead of chasing three.

What We Do Around Your Property

The tree-adjacent work that turns a cleared lot into a finished, usable property.

  • A tracked excavator clearing a wooded lot on a High Country property in Watauga County, NC

    Land, Lot & Driveway Clearing

    Clearing overgrown lots, building sites, driveways, and fence lines — plus grading and site prep. Careful work on steep High Country ground, and the natural first step once the trees are down.

    Learn more
  • A tiered block retaining wall River Birch built on a steep slope in the High Country, NC

    Retaining Walls & Grading

    Block and natural-stone retaining walls that hold back the slope and make steep mountain lots usable — with the grading and drainage to keep mountain runoff where it belongs.

  • Boulder landscaping and stonework with a long-range mountain view in Boone, NC

    Stone & Boulder Landscaping

    Boulder placement, natural-stone work, gravel paths, and stone edging that turn a raw mountain lot into a finished property that fits the High Country.

  • A clean, finished property with a stone wall and green lawn after River Birch's work in Boone, NC

    Cleared, Graded & Finished

    From a wooded slope to a clean, usable property — one insured crew handles the clearing, grading, walls, and finish, so you deal with one company from the first cut to the last.

Also ask us about fence installation and gutter cleaning while we're on site.

Recent Property Work

Clearing, grading, walls, and finish work from around the High Country.

Logs and debris cleared along a gravel drive on a High Country property near Boone, NCExcavation and grading a trench on a mountain property in Watauga County, NCLarge landscape boulders staged for rock and retaining work in Boone, NCA cleared and graded mountain lot ready to build in Watauga County, NCRiver Birch equipment on a cleared lot in Watauga County, NC

What Property Clients Say

Real 5-star Google reviews from High Country homeowners — including our retaining-wall and landscaping work.

  • Retaining Wall

    What a great experience with Ezequiel and his crew. One of the few landscapers who actually called me back and gave me a quote. His quote was fair and he actually got new retaining wall done ahead of schedule. He was the most detailed in his initial inspection than anyone else. We also opted to use for several other landscaping projects as well. We highly recommend him for any tree or landscaping in the High Country.

    Johnny Varnedore Google Review
  • Landscaping

    It's rare to find someone who is passionate about working these days, but Ezequiel and his team are focused on making sure that their customers are happy. He worked with me to resolve a landscaping problem and the end results were amazing. I have full confidence in his ability to tackle anything!

    Carol Rankhorn Google Review
  • Hard Worker

    Ezequial is personable, reasonable, and a hard worker. Would definitely recommend his services!

    Samantha Reeves Google Review

Property & Land Services — Common Questions

Grading, walls, driveways, and clearing across Watauga County.

  • Does River Birch do more than tree work?
    Yes. We're best known for tree removal and storm cleanup, but a lot of our jobs don't stop when the tree comes down. Once a lot is cleared, the same crew can grade it, build retaining walls, cut in a driveway, and handle drainage — so you're not hiring three different companies for one project.
  • Do you build retaining walls on steep lots?
    Yes — steep, rocky mountain lots are exactly where retaining walls earn their keep. We build block and natural-stone walls that hold back the slope and turn unusable grade into usable yard, driveway, or building space. Fully insured on every job.
  • Can you clear and prep my lot for a build?
    Absolutely. We clear the trees and brush, grade and shape the site, handle drainage, and cut in access — leaving the lot build-ready. It's the natural extension of the land clearing we already do across Watauga County.
  • Do you install driveways, paths, and handle drainage?
    Yes. We put in gravel driveways and paths, set stone edging, and do the drainage work that keeps mountain runoff off your foundation and out of your yard. Tell us the problem and we'll walk the site with you.
  • Do I need a permit for grading or a retaining wall?
    It depends on the town, the height of the wall, and things like grading near streams or steep slopes. We'll tell you what we see and point you to the right local office, but confirming permits is ultimately the property owner's responsibility.
  • Is your property work insured?
    Yes. River Birch Tree Service LLC is fully insured, and that coverage carries across our tree work and our grading, wall, and clearing work — so your property is protected the whole way through.

Still have a question? Our team is on call 24/7.

Call Now: (828) 964-6567

Serving Deep Gap, Boone & the High Country

Locally owned and based in Deep Gap, we cover Watauga County and the surrounding High Country. Pick your town for local details.

Fast Response Across Watauga County

From our Deep Gap base we reach Boone, Blowing Rock, Vilas, Sugar Grove and the rest of the county quickly — and we travel for large jobs beyond the county line.

Towns We Serve

River Birch Tree Service LLC

Deep Gap, NC · Watauga County

Service Area Business — we come to you. No storefront to visit.

(828) 964-6567

Got a Lot to Clear, Grade, or Wall? Let's Talk.

Get Your Free Property Estimate

Call or text for a fast response, or send us the details below and we'll get right back to you. For a tree that's already down, call anytime — we're on 24/7.

24/7 Emergency Service (828) 964-6567
  • Free, no-pressure on-site estimates
  • We answer 24/7 for storm & ice emergencies
  • Fully insured on every job
  • Careful work near homes & power lines
  • Complete cleanup and haul-away included

Request a Free Estimate

No cost, no pressure. We'll get right back to you.

Call 24/7 — (828) 964-6567