MoiraB (asker) Aug 31, 2006:

Think I've found the correct phrase: "grubbing-up". Sounds unlikely but it's used on lots of EU sites where NL version is "rooien van", usually in the context of the grubbing-up of orchards/fruit trees/apple trees/vines. A colleague confirms that this is the term most often used in England in this context. So I'm going to opt for "grubbing-up of orchards". Thanks a lot for your contributions and sorry to close without grading, but none of the suggestions were quite appropriate in the context.

MoiraB (asker) Aug 31, 2006:

Author has just confirmed my interpretation: 'Rooien van areaal wil in dit geval zeggen dat de fruitbomen weggehaald worden en dat de grond voor andere teelten gebruikt wordt.' This would seem to eliminate land development, which would have been perfect if the idea was to knock down the trees and put up a multi-storey car park ;-) Judging by the sites I've looked at, clearing does seem to suggest clearing an area of forest to create agricultural land/pasture. Back to the drawing board!