Land Clearing Cost per Acre in Oregon (2026): Himalayan blackberry and Scotch broom, Lots and Acreage Priced from Real Jobs
Land clearing cost in OR runs $1,000 to $2,500 per acre for light brush like Himalayan blackberry and Scotch broom, and $2,500 to $6,000 per acre to clear heavily wooded land to bare dirt. Blackberry clears quickly with a mulcher, but it requires a follow-up pass because root crowns stay behind. A skid steer mulcher costs $2,500 to $3,200 a day with transport included inside 60 miles of the yard. I've priced clearing jobs in 11 states since 2019, and local soils set the time and cost. Call (888) 709-7985 or send the form. Marisol emails a budget range the same day and books an on-site estimate with our local crew.
- 48 contiguous
states - Insured
crews - Same-day
budget range
48 statesContiguous coverage
$2,500–3,200Skid steer mulcher, per day
60 milesTransport included
Same dayBudget range by email
How Much Does It Cost to Clear Land in Oregon? Average Cost per Acre and Pricing
The average cost to clear land in Oregon ranges from $1,000 to $6,000 per acre depending on vegetation density, slope, and whether you mulch or grub stumps. A single acre of Douglas-fir slash and alder sits near $2,500, while open sagebrush costs less. Use our online calculator to review estimated totals for clearing one acre of land. Knowing how much does it cost to clear an acre comes down to equipment day rates. Call (888) 709-7985 for a price guide on your tract.
| Land Clearing Service | Average Cost per Acre | Typical Output |
|---|---|---|
| Forestry Mulching (Light Brush) | $1,000 - $2,500 per acre | |
| Forestry Mulching (Heavy Slash) | $2,500 - $4,000 per acre | |
| Full Clearing to Dirt (Stumps Out) | $2,500 - $6,000 per acre | |
| Lot Clearing (Half Acre) | $2,500 - $3,200 total | 1 day standard |
| Bush Hogging | $50 - $100 per acre |
Heavy timber, surface basalt, or deep mud will push a land clearing project toward the higher end of the scale. Every land owner considering land clearing should review fixed cost items first.
Land Clearing Cost Calculator for Oregon
Planning range from 2025–2026 national price data, adjusted to Oregon costs. Change any answer and the range updates.
Open the full land clearing cost calculatorCost to Clear 1/2 Acre, 1 Acre, 2 Acres, 5 Acres and 20 Acres in OR
The total project cost changes with scale. Small residential lot jobs carry a minimum trip fee, while a larger land clearing investment gets more work done per dollar because machine transport is spread over more acres.
Half an acre
A half acre residential lot takes 1 day with a skid steer mulcher, costing $2,500 to $3,200.
Light brush clearing cost on a full acre runs $1,000 to $2,500. A heavily wooded lot requiring stump removal costs $2,500 to $6,000 per acre to clear.
On our jobs, we map out access routes before unloading equipment to keep production high. A simple clearing job with good access keeps your daily expenses predictable. We clear trees and brush using tracked equipment to stay on schedule.
Cost by Method in OR: Forestry Mulching vs. Dozer vs. Excavator and Haul-Off
The method of clearing dictates your final invoice and what happens to the topsoil. Selective clearing with a mulcher leaves a organic layer behind, while traditional clearing strips everything to bare dirt.
Forestry mulching cost per acre
$1,000 to $2,500 for light brush; $2,500 to $4,000 for heavy slash. It shreds brush and small trees without haul-off fees.
Dozer clearing
A dozer with operator costs $150 to $200 per hour. Dozer work handles large stems and stump removal, but leaves dirt-caked piles.
Excavator clearing
Excavation cost runs $150 to $200 per hour with operator. Excavators excel at pulling deep roots and clearing steep banks.
Haul-off and disposal
Debris haul-off costs $600 to $1,300 per load. Trucking slash and wood away increases land costs quickly.
Burn permits are managed by the State Forester through the Department of Forestry. Summer fire rules shut down burning, making mulching the primary option. Choosing professional land clearing methods helps protect topsoil during clearing projects.
Cost by Vegetation in OR: Blackberry, Juniper, Alder, and Ladder Fuels
The type of brush and small trees on your land determines the machine size. Blackberry comes back for the same reason I do: nobody told it to stop.
Douglas-fir slash and alder
Logging slash and alder require higher horsepower to grind stumps ($2,500 to $3,800 per acre).
Defensible space around homes is priced by perimeter runs.
Invasive plants listed on the state Noxious Weed List, like Scotch broom and gorse, need thorough mulching to clear brush quickly. Clearing brush helps eliminate thick invasive growth quickly. Heavy brush takes extra time to clear properly.
Cost by Region: Willamette Valley, Central Oregon, Southern Oregon, and the Coast
Soil conditions across the state affect machine traction and dictate how fast a land clearing contractor can work.
contiguous states
- 01
Willamette Valley (Portland, Salem, Eugene)
Heavy valley clay stays wet from October to May, slowing heavy equipment and adding days to site work.
- 02
Central Oregon (Bend, Redmond, Deschutes County)
Volcanic ash and pumice allow easy digging, but abrasive rock wears mulcher teeth quickly. Land clearing services in Deschutes County often focus on wildfire risk.
- 03
Southern Oregon (Medford, Grants Pass)
Decomposed granite and steep slopes drive fire thinning needs.
- 04
Coastal Area
High rainfall creates thick brush growth, and coastal wetlands require strict permit checks before disturbing ground.
- 05
Eastern Oregon
Basalt rock layers sit close to the surface, extending work timelines.
Matching the machinery to regional dirt keeps land clearing prices fair. Topography and soil types always affect land clearing productivity across different sites.
What Adds a Day in Oregon: Soil, Weather, and Fire Rules
Several cost factor issues create delays that add machine days to an estimate.
- 01
Wet season delays
Valley clay turns soft from October to April. Dozers bog down in mud, adding a wet day. Mulchers handle soft ground better.
- 02
Follow-up passes
Himalayan blackberry clears quickly, but roots sprout again. Plan for a follow-up spray or pass for full control.
- 03
Wildfire defensible space
In Central and Southern regions, defensible space clearing is priced per 100 feet of perimeter rather than raw acreage.
- 04
Pumice wear
Volcanic soils grind down cutting teeth, adding maintenance time.
- 05
Summer fire bans
Fire season rules from July to September restrict hot equipment work during dry afternoons.
We list these variables upfront so every landowner knows the expected schedule Our team handles all routine land clearing tasks efficiently on every job site..
Lot Clearing Cost for a New Home in Oregon
Preparing a wooded lot for a new home involves removing trees and brush, pulling stumps, and shaping the driveway. A standard half acre building pad takes 1 day for a land clearing company, costing $2,500 to $3,200.
Building permits show steady home construction across key counties based on Census Building Permits Survey 2025 single-family units data:
- 01
Deschutes County (Bend, La Pine)
1,166 permits
- 02
Washington County (Portland metro west)
1,646 permits
- 03
Clackamas County (Portland metro south)
960 permits
- 04
Marion County (Salem area)
784 permits
- 05
Jackson County (Medford area)
609 permits
- 06
Lane County (Eugene area)
730 permits
Statewide, 9,215 single-family permits were issued in 2025. Utility locate checks via 811 must be submitted 2 to 10 business days before digging under ORS 757.557(2).
Real Jobs and What They Cost: Real Field Examples
Here is what real clearing jobs cost using our equipment on actual sites:
- Job log
Bend, Oregon (Case 4)
$4,6002 acres of western juniper cleared for wildfire defensible space around a residence. Took 1.5 days with a skid steer mulcher. Total cost: $4,600.
- Job log
Hudson Valley, New York (Case 6)
$3,1001 acre of dense multiflora rose and buckthorn cleared on frozen ground in January. Took 1 day with a skid steer mulcher. Total cost: $3,100.
- Job log
Cherokee County, Georgia (Case 1)
$5,8004 acres of dense privet and sweetgum under pine timber. Took 2 days on a skid steer mulcher. Total cost: $5,800.
Last fall our crews worked to clear steep juniper acreage where high-horsepower mulchers kept us on schedule.
Day Rates and Hourly Rates in Oregon
Understanding equipment rates helps you evaluate pricing accurately. We run clear daily rates: Our crew can clear your lot using modern day-rate options.
Skid steer mulcher
$2,500 to $3,200 per day. Includes operator, fuel, and transport within 60 miles of our yard. Grinds trees up to 8 inches.
Dedicated 300-hp mulcher
$3,800 to $4,500 per day plus transport. Handles trees up to 14 inches and dense slash.
Dozer or excavator cost per hour
$150 to $200 per hour with operator. Minimum trip fee is $1,000 to $1,500.
Stump removal / grinding
$3.50 to $5 per inch of diameter, with a $150 to $200 minimum per stump.
Our 60-mile transport circle keeps mobilization fees off your bill. Read our frequently asked questions below to learn more about our process.
EQIP Cost-Share and Tax Questions in Oregon
Landowners managing agricultural land or timber can apply for financial assistance through federal programs. The NRCS EQIP brush management program (practice code 314) provides cost-share funds to control invasive species and reduce fuels through local USDA service centers.
The overall cost of land clearing tied to active business use may be tax deductible. Always verify property lines before work starts, as cutting a neighbor's trees carries treble damages if willful under ORS 105.810.
Get an Exact Quote for Clearing Land
To get an exact price to clear your land, call (888) 709-7985 or submit our online form. Marisol in our estimating office reviews your details and emails a budget range the same day. We then arrange an on-site visit with our local crew. Learn more about our regional operations on our main land clearing Oregon page. Clearline Land Services gives you straightforward day-rate math before any machine unloads.
