How is it different from bush hogging?

A bush hog can only knock down soft brush a few inches thick and leaves stalks behind. A forestry mulcher grinds standing trees up to 8+ inches and reduces everything to mulch — woody material included.

How is it different from traditional land clearing?

Traditional clearing cuts trees, then hauls or burns the slash, then deals with stumps separately — three jobs, three crews, three messes. Forestry mulching does it all in one pass, with no burn piles, no hauling fees, and no torn-up soil.

Does the mulch hurt the soil?

No — it helps. The mulch layer suppresses regrowth, holds moisture, prevents erosion on slopes, and breaks down into organic matter. Most landowners are happier with the mulched finish than with bare dirt.

How big can the trees be?

A skid-steer-class mulcher (like ours) handles standing material up to 8 inches in diameter comfortably. Larger trees are felled first and then mulched.

What if I want some trees left standing?

Forestry mulching is selective by design. We can pick around mast trees, shade trees, fruit trees, and anything else you want to keep — that's actually what makes it so valuable for hunting and recreational tracts.

The Method

What Is Forestry Mulching?

Name: Stumpt LLC
Address: 8203 Farthing Rd, Patoka, IL, 62875, US
Telephone: (618) 844-9558
Price range: $$

One pass. One machine. Standing trees and brush turned into mulch right where they stood.

The Short Answer

Forestry mulching is a one-pass land-clearing method that uses a heavy cutting head, mounted on a skid-steer or excavator, to grind standing trees and brush into mulch where they stand. The mulch stays on site, protecting the soil and suppressing regrowth — no burn piles, no hauling, no torn-up ground.

How it works

A forestry mulcher is a high-flow rotary cutter — picture a bush-hog crossed with a wood chipper, mounted on the front of a skid-steer. The head spins at high RPM with carbide teeth or knives that shred everything they touch into mulch chips.

The operator drives the machine through standing brush and trees, chewing top-down or side-to-side. The result: a clean, mulch-covered surface that’s walkable the same day.

When to use it

Pasture reclamation — fence rows that have eaten 10–15 feet of tillable ground
Hunting tracts — shooting lanes, food plots, trail networks, selective canopy opening
Listing prep — overgrown parcels going on the market
Lot clearing — site prep for builders without burn piles or haul-off fees
Right-of-way maintenance — utility easements, fire breaks, view corridors

Pros & cons

Pros

One pass, one crew
No burn piles or hauling
Mulch protects soil + suppresses regrowth
Selective — pick what stays
No torn-up ground

Cons

Trees over ~8 inches need felling first
Stumps stay (grind separately if you want them gone)
Not ideal where you need bare dirt for immediate planting

FAQ

Common Questions

Forestry mulching is a one-pass land-clearing method that uses a heavy cutting head — usually mounted on a skid-steer or excavator — to grind standing trees, brush, and undergrowth into mulch right where they stand. The mulch stays on site and protects the soil from erosion.

Your Move

Have a project? Get a flat quote.

Free on-site estimate. We respond fast.

Get Your Free Estimate Call (618) 844-9558

Serving Southern Illinois, the St. Louis Metro East, and surrounding counties