Graham Land Services brings professional site work to Palestine and the surrounding Anderson County communities. Since 2010, our locally owned crew has helped landowners turn brush and rough ground into functional, build-ready sites—selective land clearing, properly compacted house and barn pads, driveways and culverts that drain, and ponds that hold water through Texas summers. We pair top-tier equipment with drainage-smart planning so your next trade can roll in without rework.
Why Graham Land Services for Palestine Projects
- Local knowledge of Anderson County soils, slopes, and drainage patterns
- Selective clearing that preserves healthy, non-invasive shade trees
- Clay liners compacted in lifts for ponds that actually hold water
- Clear, itemized estimates and dependable scheduling
- Clean handoff so builders, fence crews, or pasture work can start immediately
Ponds & Lakes—Built to Hold in Palestine Conditions
A great pond starts with the right site, soils, and compaction. Our method is proven for East Texas:
- Evaluate watershed and choose a location that reliably catches runoff
- Strip and stockpile topsoil for reuse, then excavate to water-holding clays
- Build a dam with a safe 2:1 slope and a 10–12 ft crest for access and mowing
- Install a clay keyway at the dam’s base to block seepage
- Place about a 1-ft clay liner across bottom and banks and compact it in lifts (sheepsfoot, dozer, skid steer)
- Set spillway/overflow by laser so normal level is controlled and the dam is protected in heavy rains
Depth is scaled to acreage and use. As a guide, ¼–½ acre ponds often finish 8–12 ft deep; around 1 acre may be 12–20 ft. For fishing lakes, we can add structure—upturned stumps, brush piles, ledges—to support forage and game fish.
Land Clearing & Forestry Mulching
From one acre to a hundred, we clear with care and speed. We mark boundaries, flag trees to keep, remove understory and target trees, grub stumps and roots to prevent regrowth, and manage debris via haul-off or controlled burn where permitted. If you want visibility without taking the site to bare dirt, forestry mulching grinds brush and small trees into an even mulch layer that helps with erosion control along trails and edges.
House & Barn Pads, Drives, and Culverts
Your foundation is only as good as the pad under it. We build compacted pads to elevation and spec, then tie in drives and yards with correct drainage away from structures. For access, we install road base or decomposed granite compacted in lifts and size culverts properly to move water and protect entrances from washouts.
How Our Process Works
- Walk-Through & Goals – Confirm what you want (homesite, barn pad, pond, long driveway, or all of the above) and map utilities, access, and tree preservation.
- Plan & Estimate – Clear, itemized scope with transparent pricing based on billable machine hours + transport.
- Execute – The right machines and attachments for high production with controlled ground impact.
- Finish & Handoff – Rough or final grade as needed, debris handled, and a tidy site ready for the next phase.
Local Focus: Palestine and Nearby Communities
We serve Palestine, Elkhart, Montalba, Neches, Tennessee Colony, Cayuga, Tucker, and rural tracts across Anderson County. Larger or multi-phase ranch projects just beyond the county line are considered—share the address and scope and we’ll advise quickly.
Project Timeline at a Glance
- Step 1: Discovery Call (15–20 min). Share goals, acreage, address/pin, photos, and target timeline.
- Step 2: On-Site Walk-Through. Verify soils, slopes, utilities, and tree strategy; align phases and budget.
- Step 3: Itemized Estimate. Transparent pricing based on billable machine hours + transport (and any disposal).
- Step 4: Mobilize & Execute. The right iron and attachments for efficient production with controlled ground impact.
- Step 5: Finish & Handoff. Drainage set, debris handled, and a clean site ready for builders or pasture use—plus next-step recommendations.
What to Have Ready for a Fast Quote
- Scope: Clearing, pads, pond, driveway/culvert, grading, demo (pick all that apply).
- Acreage & Map: Address/pin and a quick sketch or markup of work areas and access gates.
- Photos/Video: Overviews plus close-ups of dense brush, slopes, and any culvert/ditch areas.
- Targets & Constraints: Desired finish (homesite, pasture, arena), budget range, and timing windows.
Equipment We Run in Palestine
- Dozers with rakes/blades for cut/fill and root raking
- Excavators for tree removals, ponds, and culverts
- Skid steers with mulchers, buckets, and grading attachments
- Sheepsfoot & smooth drum compactors for pads and pond liners
- Haul trucks & support equipment for debris and materials
Build on Solid Ground—Start with a Smarter Site Plan
Tell us what you want to accomplish in Palestine—clear a homesite, add a dependable pond, cut a ranch road, or prep pads and parking for a new build—and we’ll walk the property with you, check soils and drainage, and map a clear, cost-smart sequence that avoids rework. You’ll get a clean, itemized estimate, realistic timelines, and straight talk on options (including our ½-acre pond special and financing on approved credit).
We’re nearby, serve a ~70-mile radius from Anderson, TX, and consider larger, multi-phase ranch projects beyond that. Busy schedule? We can coordinate access with your builder and provide photo/video progress updates. Call (936) 203-6910 to get on the calendar, or tap Get an Estimate to send a pin, a few photos, and your target dates—then leave the dirt work to us.