Written by
Sarah Noel
Edited by
Kristen Cramer
Fact-checked by
Tom Grupa
Average forestry mulching cost
Forestry mulching costs $125 to $300 per hour, depending on the brush density and equipment type. Forestry mulching prices are $400 to $800 per acre or up to $2,000 per acre for high-density land clearing. A forestry mulcher machine costs $1,000 to $2,500 per day with an operator.
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Forestry mulching cost per hour
| Project | Average cost per hour |
|---|---|
| Underbrush to small trees | $125 – $200 |
| Brush, trees, and grading | $150 – $300 |
| Underbrush to mature trees | $200 – $275 |
| Clearing heavy brush and large mature trees | $300 – $400 |
*Prices include operator and equipment fees.
Forestry mulching cost per acre
Forestry mulching costs $400 to $800 per acre on average and up to $2,000 per acre for dense overgrowth. A skid steer forestry mulcher can mulch 1 to 3 acres per day, and large tractor mulchers clear up to 15 acres per day.
| Acres | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 1/4 acre | $100 – $200 |
| 1/2 acre | $200 – $400 |
| 3/4 acre | $300 – $600 |
| 1 acre | $400 – $800 |
| 2 acres | $800 – $1,600 |
| 5 acres | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| 10 acres | $4,000 – $8,000 |
*Minimum fees are $400 to $600.
Forestry mulching prices by project
The following table shows forestry mulching prices by project:
| Project | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Clear ½ acre in residential area with skid steer | $400 – $600 |
| Clear 1 acre of brush and saplings | $800 – $1,600 |
| Clear 5 acres of underbrush and saplings | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Clear 10 acres of invasive trees* | $4,000 – $8,000 |
*With bulldozer, excavator, or mulching tractor
Mulchers are available as disc or drum types:
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Drum mulchers use a rotating drum with bladed teeth to make a fine mulch, and they grind stumps to the ground.
Disc mulchers have bladed teeth that rotate on a flat disc. They are faster than drum mulchers, but the mulch is not as fine, and stumps stay visible.
Forestry mulcher cost per day
A forestry mulcher costs $1,000 to $2,200 per day with an operator. A bulldozer or excavator with operator costs $1,200 to $2,500 per day and removes roots below ground. These machines offer the fastest land-clearing method.
| Machine | Average cost per day | Clearing use |
|---|---|---|
| Skid steer mulcher | $1,000 – $1,600 | Underbrush to small trees |
| Mulching tractor | $1,600 – $2,200 | Underbrush to mature trees |
| Bulldozer + mulching attachment | $1,200 – $2,400 | Brush, trees, and grading |
| Excavator + mulching attachment | $1,200 – $2,500 | Brush, trees, and grading |
*Prices include operator fees.
Forestry mulching cost factors include:
Equipment – The size and type of mulcher will affect how many hours it takes to complete the job.
Labor – Rates change depending on location and the crew size.
Travel – Companies add transportation fees for moving equipment to the site, depending on their standard service areas.
Accessibility – Extra fees apply for removing fences to access the property.
Terrain – Different types of equipment are necessary to mulch on steep slopes, rocky terrain, and softer soils.
Mobilization fee – Some companies charge a $150 to $300 mobilization fee for setup.
Selective clearing – Mulching around many trees increases difficulty and costs.
Tree and brush density – Heavy overgrowth takes longer to mulch than light brush.
Stump removal – Tree stump removal costs $100 to $400 per stump on average depending on its size.
Mulch thickness – Operators make finer mulch by driving over an area multiple times, but it increases labor time.
Permit – Land clearing or land disturbance permits cost $100 to $500 on average. Prices depend on the lot size and local logging restrictions.
Surveying – Land surveying costs $70 to $140 per acre on large properties of 50 to 100 acres or more and up to $1,000 per acre on smaller lots.
Levelling – The cost to level or regrade a yard is $0.40 to $2.00 per square foot on average.
Forestry mulcher cost to buy
Buying a residential forestry mulcher costs $600 to $3,500 for freestanding gas models or $100 to $200 for electric mulchers. Residential mulchers are good for small jobs but can't handle dense overgrowth. Buying a forestry mulcher tractor attachment costs $2,100 to $5,000 for larger jobs.
Buying a commercial forestry mulcher attachment costs $10,000 to $40,000+.
| Mulcher type | Average unit price |
|---|---|
| Electric freestanding chipper & mulcher | $100 – $200 |
| Gas-powered freestanding chipper & mulcher | $600 – $3,500 |
| Mulching riding lawn mower / garden tractor | $1,500 – $3,600 |
| Flail mulcher tractor attachment (for 15+ HP tractors only) | $2,100 – $5,000 |
When buying a mulcher for residential use:
Consider the cutting width on mobile mulchers. Wider mulchers cover more ground in less time but can be more difficult to maneuver.
Freestanding mulchers have motors with 6 to 14 horsepower on average. The size of the feed-loading chutes varies from 3 inches to 6 inches wide.
Forestry mulching FAQs
What is forestry mulching?
Forestry mulching is a land-clearing method with one operator-driven machine that grinds down all vegetation. The layer of mulch it produces decomposes to improve the soil.
Other names for a forestry mulcher machine include “boom mower,” “forest masticator,” “skid-steer brush cutter,” and “mulching tractor.”
How does a forestry mulcher work?
A forestry mulcher works by using rotating-blade teeth to:
Grind all brush and stumps
Fell trees and their debris
Mulch tree trunks
Spread a layer of new mulch across the ground
Clear land of all growth
What do I do after forestry mulching?
What you do after forestry mulching depends on the property plans.
Common activities after forestry mulching include:
Mowing regrowth with a bush hog or flail mower
Applying a selective herbicide to kill weeds
Excavating for a homesite
Allowing the mulch to decompose
Tilling the mulch into the topsoil
Planting clover as a ground cover to attract deer
Moving livestock to graze on regrowth
Growing grass or other ground cover to crowd out weeds
What are the benefits of forestry mulching?
The benefits of forestry mulching are:
Lower labor and equipment costs than other land-clearing methods
No permit requirements in most states
Ability to mulch on most terrain types
No brush and tree debris removal costs
Erosion prevention
Reduced fire risk
Decreased soil acidity
Minimizes the tick and pest population
Invasive plant destruction
Improved soil fertility
Undamaged topsoil
Land is ready for immediate use
Getting quotes from forestry mulching services
Before hiring a forestry mulching service near you, be sure to:
Get three detailed estimates for comparison.
Only hire licensed, insured, and bonded companies.
Read online company reviews from Google and HomeGuide.
Check if their crew has a licensed timber operator or certified arborist.
Ask to see a portfolio or a reference list.
Choose companies with more than 5 years of experience.
Get the estimate and contract in writing before hiring.
Beware of low bids that may signal low-quality work.
Wait for the company to complete the job before making the final payment.
Questions to ask
How long have you been mulching forested land?
What’s your hourly rate?
Is there a minimum fee or mobilization fee?
Do I live outside your normal service area, and would travel fees apply?
Are there any other fees I should know about?
Can I select some trees to keep?
What are the biggest trees you can mulch?
Do you offer stump removal?
How many acres can you complete in one day?
What type of equipment do you use?
Will you need to remove fencing to access the site?
What size will the mulch be?
Do I need a permit for this job?
Should I do anything to prep for forestry mulching?
How do you reduce the risks of fire hazards and other safety issues?
Is there going to be more than one person onsite?
What happens in the event of property damage?
