How much does
land clearing cost?
Real numbers for the Ozarks — south central Missouri. No gimmicks, no "starting at" pricing buried in the fine print.
The short answer
Most land clearing jobs in the Ozarks run $1,500 to $6,000 per acre. Light brush on flat, accessible ground sits at the low end. Heavy timber, dense cedar thickets, steep grades, and stump grinding push toward the top.
Every property is different. The ranges below are a starting point — we confirm the real number after walking your land.
What you'll pay by job type
Light brush & saplings
Pasture reclaim, light overgrowth, mostly grasses with scattered saplings under 4". Flat, easy access.
Medium brush & small trees
Cedar thickets, blackberry, mixed undergrowth, trees up to 8". Typical Ozarks overgrown property.
Heavy brush & mature trees
Dense hardwood, large cedars, multiple stumps to grind, steep or rocky terrain. Hauling or burning included.
What actually moves the price
Acreage
Per-acre price drops as the job gets bigger. A 1/2-acre lot costs more per acre than a 20-acre tract because mobilization and setup are fixed costs.
Brush & tree density
The single biggest driver. Cedar and hardwood thickets take real machine hours. A walk of the property tells us more than acreage alone.
Terrain & slope
Ozarks ground is rarely flat. Steep grades, exposed limestone, and wet bottoms slow the work and sometimes force a different machine.
Site access
If we can drive equipment straight to the work, you save money. Long walks, gates, soft drives, and tight turns add time.
Debris handling
Mulched in place is cheapest. Piled and burned is mid-range. Hauled off-site is the most expensive — dump fees and trucking add up fast.
Stumps
Grinding stumps below grade is a separate line. A few stumps barely move the needle; an old fence line full of cedar stumps does.
Want a real number for your place?
Try the instant pricing calculator for a fast ballpark, or call and we'll come walk the property.
Ready to clear
some ground?
Pick up the phone, or send us the details. We'll come walk your property and give you a straight, honest bid.