Frequently Asked Questions

Forestry mulching costs $2,125-$4,250 per acre depending on your DBH package. Small Package (4" DBH) is $2,125/acre, Medium (6" DBH) is $2,500/acre, Large (8" DBH) is $3,375/acre, and X-Large (10" DBH) is $4,250/acre. Project minimum is $1,900. Dense vegetation, steep terrain, or limited access may add 10-30% to base pricing.

Land clearing in Florida costs $4,500/day for our Max Package with full excavation capability. For forestry mulching only, costs range from $2,125-$4,250/acre based on vegetation size. Traditional clearing with debris hauling typically costs $5,000-$15,000/acre - forestry mulching saves 40-60% by leaving mulch on-site.

Yes, our project minimum is $1,900. This covers mobilization, transport, and ensures we can deliver professional results. Most projects clearing 0.5+ acres exceed this minimum naturally.

Yes, we partner with Wisetack to offer financing options. You can spread payments over 3-60 months with rates as low as 0% APR for qualified buyers. Apply during your estimate - approval takes minutes with no impact on your credit score for the initial check.

Our pricing includes everything: equipment transport, fuel, operator labor, insurance, and complete clearing to your DBH specification. Mulch stays on-site (saving you hauling costs). No hidden fees, no surprise charges. The quote you receive is the price you pay.

Land clearing costs depend on five key factors: vegetation density (light brush vs dense forest), tree diameter (4" DBH vs 10" DBH requires different equipment capacity), terrain conditions (flat vs steep slopes add 10-30%), site accessibility (narrow gates or long driveways increase transport time), and project location (travel distance from our New Smyrna Beach base at $150/hour round trip). Dense palmetto thickets or hardwood forests cost more than pine stands or light brush due to slower clearing rates and increased equipment wear.

DBH stands for Diameter at Breast Height - the tree trunk diameter measured at 4.5 feet above ground. Our DBH packages (4", 6", 8", 10") determine what gets mulched. Choose 6" DBH and everything 6 inches and under is mulched; larger trees stay. This gives you precise control over your results.

We clear 1-10 acres per day depending on vegetation density. Light brush (4" DBH) clears fastest at 5-10 acres/day. Dense forest (10" DBH) takes longer at 1-3 acres/day. Most residential projects (1-5 acres) complete in 1-3 days. We provide timeline estimates with every quote.

Mulched vegetation stays on-site as a 2-4 inch layer of organic ground cover. This provides erosion control, weed suppression, and returns nutrients to soil. No hauling trucks, no dump fees, no debris piles. The mulch layer typically decomposes within 12-24 months.

Yes. Our CAT 265 track machine has 4-6 PSI ground pressure - similar to a person walking. We can work in wet, sandy, or soft terrain where wheeled equipment would get stuck. However, standing water or active wetlands may require permits or alternative approaches.

Permit requirements vary by county and project scope. Most residential clearing under 5 acres doesn't require permits, but wetland areas, coastal zones, and some HOA communities have restrictions. We help identify permit requirements during your estimate and can assist with applications.

Florida permit requirements depend on your county, property size, and environmental features. Most residential projects under 5 acres on uplands require no permit, but clearing near wetlands, within coastal construction zones, or on properties with endangered species habitat requires permits from your county, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), or the South Florida Water Management District. Orange, Seminole, and Volusia counties have specific tree protection ordinances that may require permits for removing certain tree species or quantities. We review your property during the estimate and flag potential permit requirements, though final permit determination rests with your local government.

Yes, selective clearing is one of forestry mulching's biggest advantages. We can preserve specimen trees, fruit trees, mature oaks, or any vegetation you want to keep by working around them with precision. Mark trees you want saved with colored flagging tape before we arrive, and our operator will clear everything else to your DBH specification. Unlike bulldozing which damages root systems, forestry mulching lets us work within 10-15 feet of trees you're preserving without harming them. This approach is ideal for creating park-like settings with mature trees as focal points.

Property preparation is minimal but important: mark any trees, plants, or landscape features you want preserved with bright flagging tape, identify and mark underground utilities (call 811 for free utility locate service 2-3 business days before your scheduled date), remove any vehicles, equipment, or personal items from the work area, and ensure gate access is at least 8 feet wide for our CAT 265 track loader. Walk the property with us during the estimate so we can identify potential obstacles like buried stumps, large rocks, or septic system locations. Most properties require no preparation beyond marking what stays and confirming utility locations.

We operate a CAT 265 Compact Track Loader with a professional forestry mulching head. This machine features a 72" cutting width, handles trees up to 12" diameter, and clears 1-10 acres per day. Track design provides low ground pressure and works in conditions that stop wheeled equipment.

Our standard equipment processes trees up to 10-12" DBH efficiently. For trees larger than 12", we either leave them standing (per your DBH package selection) or discuss chainsaw felling before mulching. We're honest about equipment limitations - no surprises on-site.

Forestry mulching is faster (days vs weeks), cheaper (no hauling costs), and cleaner (no debris piles or burning). Traditional clearing requires cutting, stacking, hauling, and disposal. Mulching does it all in one pass. You save 40-60% compared to traditional methods for most projects.

Traditional land clearing uses bulldozers, excavators, and chainsaws to cut vegetation, then requires separate hauling trucks to remove debris - a process taking weeks and costing $5,000-$15,000 per acre including disposal fees. Forestry mulching completes clearing in a single pass using a specialized mulching head that grinds vegetation into organic mulch left on-site, eliminating hauling costs and finishing most projects in 1-3 days. Traditional clearing disturbs 12-18 inches of topsoil and leaves bare ground prone to erosion, while mulching preserves soil structure and leaves protective ground cover. For most Florida properties, forestry mulching saves 40-60% in cost, prevents erosion, and avoids the mess of debris piles, burn permits, or hauling trucks.

We serve all of Central Florida including Volusia, Flagler, Seminole, Orange, Brevard, Lake, Marion, and Osceola counties. We also travel throughout Florida for larger projects. Transport is billed at $150/hour round trip from our New Smyrna Beach base.

Forestry mulching cuts vegetation to ground level but doesn't remove stumps below grade. For stump removal, we offer stump grinding services separately. Most customers find ground-level cuts sufficient for pasture, landscaping, or general access. Building sites may require additional stump grinding.

Yes, but with safety margins. We maintain 10-20 foot clearance from buildings, fences, utilities, and septic systems. For tighter work around structures, we may use smaller equipment or hand clearing. We discuss site-specific requirements during your estimate.

Forestry mulching eliminates debris removal - vegetation is mulched on-site. For projects requiring complete debris removal (construction sites, HOA requirements), we can arrange hauling at additional cost, but mulching on-site saves $3,000-$8,000 in typical hauling fees.

Yes, forestry mulching is one of the most environmentally responsible land clearing methods available. Unlike traditional clearing that removes and burns vegetation (releasing carbon), mulching returns organic matter to the soil where it improves soil structure, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds naturally. The 2-4 inch mulch layer prevents erosion by absorbing rainfall impact and slowing water runoff - critical in Florida where heavy rains can wash away bare topsoil. Our low-ground-pressure equipment (4-6 PSI) minimizes soil compaction compared to bulldozers, preserving soil biology and structure. By eliminating debris hauling, mulching also reduces diesel emissions from hauling trucks making dozens of trips to disposal sites.

Forestry mulch typically decomposes within 12-24 months in Florida's humid climate, though decomposition rates vary by material type and environmental conditions. Pine and softwood mulch breaks down faster (12-18 months) than oak or hardwood mulch (18-24 months). The mulch layer gradually compacts from 3-4 inches to 1-2 inches as decomposition progresses, eventually integrating into the topsoil and enriching it with organic matter. Decomposition happens faster in moist, shaded areas and slower in full sun or dry conditions. You can accelerate decomposition by applying nitrogen fertilizer (which microbes need to break down carbon-rich wood) or simply let nature take its course - the mulch provides erosion control and weed suppression throughout the decomposition process.

Yes, forestry mulching is an effective wildfire prevention tool when applied strategically as part of defensible space management. Clearing dense undergrowth and small-diameter trees creates fuel breaks that slow or stop wildfire spread by removing the vegetation ladder that carries ground fires into tree canopies. The mulch layer itself is less flammable than standing dry vegetation because it retains moisture and lies flat on the ground. Many Florida landowners use forestry mulching to create 30-100 foot firebreaks around homes and structures, meeting requirements for homeowner insurance in wildfire-prone areas. We recommend maintaining cleared firebreaks every 2-3 years as new vegetation grows back, ensuring ongoing wildfire protection.

Current booking lead time is typically 2-3 weeks. Larger projects (10+ acres) may require additional scheduling coordination. Emergency clearing for storm damage or fire breaks can often be accommodated within 48-72 hours depending on current commitments.

We understand plans change. Cancellations with 48+ hours notice receive full deposit refund. Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice forfeit the deposit due to equipment scheduling and transport costs. Rescheduling is always free with reasonable notice.

We primarily operate Monday-Friday, 7 AM - 5 PM. Weekend work is available for larger projects or time-sensitive situations. Weekend rates may apply. Contact us to discuss your specific scheduling needs.

Getting started is easy: 1) Request an instant estimate online or call (386) 843-5266, 2) We'll confirm details and provide final pricing, 3) Schedule your project date, 4) We show up and clear your land. Most customers go from first contact to completed project within 2-3 weeks.