Forestry mulching
Also called: forestry mulcher, mulching, brush mulching, masticating
Clearing land with a tracked machine that grinds brush and trees up to 6–10 inches in diameter into mulch where they stand, in a single pass. No piling, burning or hauling; the mulch layer holds soil and slows regrowth. Usually the cheapest clearing method, at $500–$2,500 an acre.
A forestry mulcher is a skid steer, tracked carrier or excavator fitted with a horizontal drum covered in carbide teeth, spinning at high speed. The operator drives into standing brush and small trees and the drum shreds them from the top down, leaving a layer of chips a few inches deep. Stumps are ground to roughly ground level; roots stay in the soil.
Advantages: speed (an acre of brush in half a day), no debris to deal with, ground cover left in place so bare soil doesn’t erode, and access to slopes and tight spots a dozer can’t reach. It’s the right method for pasture reclamation, trails, fire breaks, view clearing, lot cleanup and understory removal.
Limitations: roots remain, so it’s not sufficient under a foundation, driveway or plowed field — those need grubbing. Large trees beyond the machine’s capacity are cut separately first. Rental mulcher heads for skid steers exist ($700–$1,000 a day) but are far less productive than a dedicated machine with an experienced operator.