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Brush Clearing Cost Calculator
Estimate brush clearing and brush removal cost per acre or per hour, based on density, terrain, and US region. Research-backed pricing, updated for 2026. Set the density to light or medium for typical brush jobs.
Brush clearing cost per acre
Brush clearing is lighter and faster than full land clearing, so it costs less per acre. These are typical ranges by density, with terrain and region folded in.
| Brush density | Cost per acre |
|---|---|
| Light grass / weeds | $300–$700 |
| Medium brush / undergrowth | $700–$1,500 |
| Heavy brush / saplings & vines | $1,500–$2,500 |
For small or partial jobs, contractors often price by the hour instead: $100 to $250 per hour for a skid steer or brush-hog mower, and $200 to $400 per hour for a forestry mulcher on dense, woody brush.
Brush clearing vs land clearing
Brush clearing removes undergrowth, weeds, vines, and small saplings while leaving mature trees in place. Land clearing removes everything, including trees and stumps. The lighter the material, the faster the machine moves and the lower the per-acre cost.
If your property is mostly overgrown grass, weeds, and small woody growth, brush clearing is the right (and cheaper) service. If you need standing trees and stumps gone, use the land clearing cost calculator instead.
Frequently asked questions
How much does brush clearing cost?
Brush clearing costs roughly $300 to $2,500 per acre depending on density and access. Light grass and weeds on open ground run about $300 to $700 per acre, while heavy overgrown brush with saplings and vines can reach $1,500 to $2,500 per acre. Priced by the hour, expect $100 to $250 for a skid steer or brush mower and $200 to $400 for a forestry mulcher on dense growth.
How much does brush clearing cost per hour?
Hourly brush clearing runs about $100 to $250 per hour for a skid steer with a brush cutter or a brush-hog mower, and $200 to $400 per hour for a forestry mulcher tackling dense, woody brush. Across equipment types most crews fall in the $100 to $450 per hour range. Hourly pricing suits small, oddly shaped, or partially cleared jobs; for a full acre or more, per-acre pricing is usually cheaper and easier to budget.
What is the difference between brush clearing and land clearing?
Brush clearing removes undergrowth, weeds, vines, and small woody saplings while usually leaving mature trees standing. Land clearing removes everything, including trees and often the stumps and root balls. Because brush clearing handles lighter material and leaves the big trees, it is faster and costs less per acre than full land clearing.
Does brush removal cost extra over clearing?
It can. Brush mowing simply cuts the growth and leaves it. Forestry mulching grinds the brush into chips that stay on site as ground cover, with no hauling. Brush removal means the cut material has to be piled, loaded, and hauled off the property, which adds $300 to $600 per load. On most jobs, mulching in place is the cheapest option because it skips the haul-away entirely.
Related free tools
- Land Clearing Cost Calculator, full clearing including trees and stumps.
- Forestry Mulching Estimator, line-item estimate with mobilization and stump treatment.
- Lot Clearing / Site Prep Calculator, clearing plus driveway, building pad, and grading.
- Stump Grinding Cost Calculator, per-inch pricing for any stumps left behind.
- Mulching vs. Bulldozing Comparison, compare clearing methods side by side.