Planning to clear 5 acres of Texas land? You're looking at one of the most common project sizes—large enough to need professional help, but manageable enough to complete quickly. Here's exactly what you'll pay based on real project data.
5-Acre Clearing Cost Summary
| Vegetation Type | Per Acre | 5-Acre Total | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
Light Brush & Grass Overgrown pasture, tall grass, weeds, scattered small brush under 3 inches | $800 - $1,500 | $4,000 - $7,500 | 1 day |
Medium Vegetation Mixed brush with small trees (3-6 inch diameter), dense undergrowth, some cedar/mesquite | $1,500 - $2,500 | $7,500 - $12,500 | 1.5 - 2 days |
Heavy Timber Dense trees (6-12 inch diameter), thick cedar brakes, established oak groves | $2,500 - $3,500 | $12,500 - $17,500 | 2 - 3 days |
Complete Site Prep Full clearing plus grading, drainage prep, and construction-ready finish | $4,000 - $6,000 | $20,000 - $30,000 | 3 - 5 days |
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These are typical ranges based on vegetation type. Your actual cost depends on specific site conditions. Get a free, no-obligation quote for your property.
Get Your Free Quote →Understanding 5-Acre Clearing Costs
Five acres is approximately 217,800 square feet—about 4.5 football fields. It's a significant clearing project that benefits from professional equipment and expertise.
What Affects Your Cost?
1. Vegetation Density
The single biggest cost factor is what's growing on your land:
- Light vegetation (grass/brush): Fast to clear, lower cost
- Medium brush with small trees: Moderate time and cost
- Heavy timber: Time-intensive, higher cost
- Cedar brakes: Dense cedar adds 20-30% to typical costs
2. Tree Size
Trees are measured by diameter at breast height (DBH):
- Under 3" DBH: Standard forestry mulching handles easily
- 3-8" DBH: Most mulchers handle efficiently
- 8-12" DBH: Requires larger equipment, slower progress
- Over 12" DBH: May require conventional tree removal
3. Terrain
- Flat ground: Standard pricing
- Gentle slopes: Minimal impact on cost
- Steep terrain: May add 15-25% for specialized equipment
- Rocky ground: Can slow progress, affecting cost
4. Accessibility
- Good road access: Standard pricing
- Limited access: May require smaller equipment
- Remote location: Could add mobilization costs
Professional equipment clears 5 acres efficiently in 1-3 days
5-Acre Clearing Methods
Forestry Mulching (Recommended)
For most 5-acre projects, forestry mulching is the best choice:
- Handles trees up to 8-12" in a single pass
- No burning, hauling, or stump grinding needed
- Leaves beneficial mulch layer
- Prevents erosion during and after clearing
- Fastest overall completion time
Traditional Clearing
Conventional clearing (cut, stack, burn/haul) may be needed for:
- Very large trees over 12-14"
- Valuable timber that can be sold
- Situations where mulch is not desired
Traditional methods typically cost 30-50% more than forestry mulching for similar vegetation.
5-Acre Project Timeline
Before Clearing Starts
- Quote and scheduling: 1-7 days depending on season
- Property marking: Mark boundaries, keep areas, utilities
- Permit check: Usually not needed for rural Texas clearing
During Clearing
- Light vegetation: 1 day (8-10 hours)
- Medium vegetation: 1.5-2 days
- Heavy timber: 2-3 days
After Clearing
- Walkthrough: Verify all areas cleared to satisfaction
- Cleanup: Included with professional services
- Settling: Mulch settles over 2-4 weeks
5-Acre Clearing: DIY vs Professional
DIY Considerations
Clearing 5 acres yourself is possible but challenging:
- Equipment rental: Skid steer with mulcher: $800-$1,200/day
- Time estimate: 5-15 days depending on experience
- Fuel costs: $200-$500
- Learning curve: Significant for first-time operators
- Risk: Equipment damage, injury potential
Professional Clearing Benefits
- Speed: Complete in 1-3 days vs. weeks
- Equipment: Commercial mulchers 3-5x more powerful
- Experience: Efficient clearing patterns, obstacle handling
- Insurance: Liability coverage for your property
- Results: Clean, professional finish
Save Money on 5-Acre Clearing
Tips to Reduce Costs
- Clear access: Have clear equipment access to reduce setup time
- Remove obstacles: Relocate items that would need to be worked around
- Combine projects: Clear multiple areas at once for better per-acre pricing
- Flexible timing: Off-season (winter) may offer better availability
- Mark clearly: Clearly mark boundaries to avoid rework
Frequently Asked Questions
In Texas, clearing 5 acres typically costs $4,000-$17,500 depending on vegetation density. Light brush and grass: $4,000-$7,500. Medium brush with small trees: $7,500-$12,500. Heavy timber with large trees: $12,500-$17,500. These are realistic 2026 prices for professional forestry mulching.
Most 5-acre clearing projects take 1-3 days depending on vegetation. Light brush can be cleared in 1 day (8-10 hours). Medium vegetation typically takes 1.5-2 days. Heavy timber with large trees may require 2-3 days. Weather and terrain can extend timelines.
While possible with rental equipment, clearing 5 acres yourself is challenging and time-consuming. DIY typically takes 5-10 times longer than professional crews and lacks the power/efficiency of commercial forestry mulching equipment. For most property owners, professional clearing is more cost-effective when factoring in equipment rental, fuel, and your time.
Key cost factors include: vegetation density and type (grass vs. trees), tree size and diameter, terrain (flat vs. slopes), accessibility for equipment, stump removal requirements, and whether you need full site prep or just clearing. Cedar and mesquite removal typically costs more than general clearing.
Generally, clearing 5 acres of private land in rural Texas doesn't require permits for the clearing itself. However, you may need permits if: you're within city limits, you're in a development zone, you're near waterways (wetlands permits), or you're planning construction afterward. Check with your county before starting.
Yes, land clearing typically provides strong ROI. Cleared land often sells for 25-50% more than overgrown property. Even for personal use, clearing creates usable space for building, agriculture, recreation, or improved wildlife habitat. Most Texas landowners see clearing as essential property improvement.
Related Resources
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