- Permit-approved trees of all sizes, with equipment matched to the job.
- Stump work, root removal and haul-off defined in your quote.
- A cleared footprint for your next stage of property preparation.
Knoxville Forestry Mulching ServiceForestry Mulching, Land Clearing, Bush Hogging & Grading
Knoxville Forestry Mulching Service approaches land clearing differently than most companies. We use specialized equipment based on the specific job type.
Our services include:
- Land Clearing
- Forestry Mulching
- Bush Hogging
- Tree Removal
- Grading
We have over 21 years of experience managing projects, business development, and providing services. We take pride in our work, holding the result to a high standard and making sure it matches what the customer had in mind. From overgrown fields to oak, hickory and pine lots around Knoxville, we match the work to your property. Privet, honeysuckle, rocky slopes and trees you want to keep shape the plan before equipment arrives.
Land Clearing Projects
2-Acre Forestry Mulching
The customer wanted to open up 2 acres of wooded area. We mulched dense underbrush and smaller trees while keeping the marked trees. The cut material stayed on the ground as mulch, leaving the area easier to walk and maintain.
- Project Cost
- $3,200
- Timeline
- 1 day
3-Acre Land Clearing
The owners wanted space for an additional barn on their lightly wooded 3-acre property. We removed the unwanted trees and underbrush, ground the specified stumps and hauled away the clearing debris. This opened the footprint for the next stage of property preparation.
- Project Cost
- $5,700
- Timeline
- 3 days
5-Acre Bush Hogging
The customer wanted to walk and enjoy their 5-acre field with family. We bush hogged the tall grass, weeds and light brush to a manageable height. The rough-cut field stayed open, with surrounding trees retained and cuttings left on-site.
- Project Cost
- $525
- Timeline
- 3–4 hours
Land Clearing Services in Knoxville, TN
- Shred underbrush, woody shrubs and small trees; stems up to 7 inches assessed individually.
- Controlled passes around the trees you want to keep.
- Mulch processed on-site; root removal and hauling are separate.
- Weeds and light brush with stems up to 1 inch in diameter.
- Planned cutting passes across fields, trails and fence lines.
- A manageable field finish while roots and surrounding trees remain.
- Cut and remove individual trees or agreed groups of trees.
- Handle trunks and branches with saws, grapples or an excavator.
- Confirm stump work, disposal and permits before starting.
- Cut high spots and spread soil across already-cleared ground.
- Fill agreed low spots and shape access or drainage routes.
- Specify fill, compaction and finish requirements.
Land Clearing Pricing
| Service | Starting At | Typical Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Bush Hogging | $300 | Tall grass, weeds and light field growth. |
| Forestry Mulching | $2,500 | Suitable woody vegetation processed into on-site mulch. |
| Land Clearing | $3,500 | Tree and undergrowth removal within an agreed footprint. |
| Tree Removal | $450 | A suitable individual tree; site conditions govern. |
| Grading | $2,500 | Rough grading to an agreed scope and finish. |
Starting project allowances, not per-acre prices or fixed offers. Tree size, density, access, ground conditions, stumps, hauling and the desired finish affect the quote. Permits and construction-pad preparation are scoped separately.
When Is Each Service the Right Fit?
Bush Hogging
Best for
- Weeds and light brush with stems up to 1 inch in diameter.
- Reclaiming overgrown fields with tall grass and weeds.
- Maintaining accessible trails and fence lines.
Not the right fit for
- Large trees, stumps or root removal.
- Preparing a finished construction pad.
Forestry Mulching
Best for
- Suitable saplings and trees up to 7 inches, subject to equipment and site checks.
- Underbrush and suitable saplings processed into on-site mulch.
- Selective clearing around trees you want to keep.
Not the right fit for
- Extracting large root balls or hauling all material away.
- Finished grading or a foundation-ready surface.
Land Clearing
Best for
- Permit-approved trees of all sizes, with equipment matched to the job.
- Stump and root work when included in your quote.
- Opening a homesite, barn area or access footprint.
Not the right fit for
- Routine grass maintenance on an open field.
- Work in protected areas before the required approvals.
What Equipment We Use
- Tractor with a rear-mounted bush hog (rotary cutter): Cuts tall grass, weeds and light brush.
- Compact track loader with a drum forestry mulching attachment: Shreds brush and small trees into mulch.
- Tracked excavator with a bucket and hydraulic thumb: Lifts stumps, handles roots and moves clearing debris.
Land Clearing Questions,
Clear Answers.
Do I need a permit for clearing or mulching in Knoxville?
Start with the property’s actual city or county and the amount of soil disturbance. Knoxville lists Rough Grading for disturbance below 10,000 square feet without infrastructure, and Site Development for larger work or infrastructure. That is not a blanket exemption for smaller sites. Confirm the scope before equipment arrives.
What is the difference between bush hogging, mulching and clearing?
Bush hogging cuts grass, weeds and light stems up to about 1 inch. Mulching shreds suitable woody growth into on-site mulch. Clearing can include larger approved trees, roots and hauling. Equipment, access and your desired finish decide the method.
Will forestry mulching remove roots and stumps?
Mulching can reduce exposed woody material, but it does not extract buried roots or large root balls. Driveways, barns and building pads may need separate stump removal, excavation and ground preparation.
Is debris removal included?
Forestry mulch normally stays on the ground. For clearing and tree removal, the quote should specify hauling, stump work and the finish. Agree on what will remain before work starts.
Will privet or kudzu grow back?
They can. Cutting visible growth does not necessarily kill surviving roots or crowns. Plan follow-up checks and repeat control where needed. We distinguish opening an overgrown site from long-term invasive-plant management.
How long will my project take?
Light mowing may take hours; dense brush, larger trees and haul-off can take several days. Slopes, access, ground conditions, weather and approvals affect timing. Confirm the schedule against your specific scope.
Can you keep the mature trees?
Yes, selective work can retain marked trees. Protect their roots from equipment and grade changes. Public trees and their root zones have separate City approval requirements, even when other site permits are issued.
What if the land is steep or wet?
Slopes, shallow rock and soft ground can limit equipment access. We assess the working route before cutting. Streams, wetlands and drainage features need separate review; machine access is not automatically covered by routine yard-maintenance exemptions.
When does a construction stormwater permit apply?
Tennessee generally requires construction stormwater coverage for disturbance of 1 acre or more, and smaller sites within a larger common plan of development or sale. Local approvals can apply below that threshold. The current state construction permit took effect October 1, 2026.
Does grading make the land ready to build?
Rough grading shapes an agreed area; it does not certify a foundation pad. Your next stage may need designed elevations, suitable fill, compaction testing, drainage approval and inspections.
Local Permit & Equipment References
University of Tennessee — Valley and Ridge trees and groundUT Arboretum — regional tree listUT Arboretum — invasive shrubs, vines and treesKnoxville — ecological restoration and kudzuKnoxville — invasive plantsKnoxville — site-development and grading permit categoriesKnoxville — public tree and root-zone requirementsTennessee — current construction stormwater permitTDEC — wetlands questions and maintenance limitsKnox County — zoning and grading requirementsBush Hog — rotary cutter capacity exampleFecon — head and carrier requirements
Areas We Service
- Alcoa
- Blaine
- Clinton
- Farragut
- Friendsville
- Lenoir City
- Louisville
- Luttrell
- Maryville
- Maynardville
- New Market
- Norris
- Oak Ridge
- Oliver Springs
- Pigeon Forge
- Plainview
- Rockford
- Rocky Top
- Sevierville
- Townsend