I'm growing to dislike people more and more every day. Used to be able to look a man in the eyes and shake his hand and his word was his band. Nowadays not so much. Get it in writing from now on.

You had a verbal contract for services and verbal contracts are valid and enforceable...this is not a real estate transaction as ownership of the real estate was not a part of the contract consideration. You made an offer for services which he accepted...you performed your portion of the contract. You are entitled to consideration/compensation. Consideration is a legal concept that describes something of value given in exchange for a performance. Put simply, the landowner is in material breach of the contract and you are entitled to damages. I think you'd be well within your rights to submit a demand letter to him as you would most likely prevail if you opted for legal recourse. At a minimum, he at least needs to pay you for your work. Not sure how eager you are to pursue this matter, but I think you'd do much better than others have stated previously.

For those that say he should have had it in writing, I am curious how much you believe that would help and what additional recourse he would have. People get screwed every day with contracts written by legal professionals, and it would still be a battle and cost money IMO.

It'd be nice if it were that simple, but unfortunately, unless the LO agrees with his side of the story and it outlined what constituted consideration, that's not happening.