Brush Removal Cost in Massachusetts (2026)

Whether you are clearing overgrown brush behind your house, opening up a trail on your property, or prepping land for a project, brush removal in Massachusetts has a wide price range depending on density, access, and volume. Here is what homeowners and property owners across our 18-town service area actually pay in 2026.

McDonald Tree Service has been handling brush removal in Billerica and surrounding towns since 1995. We have the chippers, crews, and experience to clear anything from a small backyard thicket to multiple acres of dense underbrush.

Brush Removal Cost by Project Size

Project Size	Cost Range	What Is Included
Small lot (under 1/4 acre)	$500 – $2,000	Cutting, chipping, hauling debris
Medium lot (1/4 to 1/2 acre)	$2,000 – $4,000	Full clearing, chipping, debris removal
Large lot (1/2 to 1 acre)	$3,500 – $7,500	Complete clearing with stump treatment
1+ acres	$5,000 – $15,000+/acre	Full clearing, grading prep, all debris removed

Brush Removal Cost Per Acre

Brush Density	Cost Per Acre	Description
Light (sparse, small growth)	$3,000 – $5,000	Scattered brush, saplings under 3 inches, ground cover
Medium (moderate growth)	$5,000 – $8,000	Mixed brush and small trees, some vines and brambles
Heavy (dense, overgrown)	$8,000 – $15,000+	Thick underbrush, thorny vines, small trees throughout

Most residential brush clearing jobs in our area cost between $1,500 and $4,000. The typical request is clearing an overgrown section of a half-acre lot in Chelmsford, Tewksbury, or Westford.

What Affects Brush Removal Cost?

Density and Type of Growth

Thin saplings and grass are quick to clear. Thick multiflora rose, bittersweet vine, and dense privet take three times as long. Invasive species like Japanese knotweed and poison ivy require special handling, which adds cost.

Trees Mixed In

If there are trees larger than 6 inches in diameter mixed into the brush, that moves from brush clearing into lot clearing territory with higher costs. Large trees require chainsaws, rigging, and sometimes a crane instead of just a brush cutter and chipper.

Access

Can we get equipment to the area? A brush cutter and chipper near the street is efficient. Hauling cut brush 200 feet through a backyard in Lexington or up a slope in Lincoln adds significant labor time.

Disposal

We chip most brush on site, which saves on hauling costs. The chips can stay on your property as mulch or we haul them away. If you want everything removed including chips, add $300 to $800 for hauling depending on volume.

Stump Treatment

Cutting brush at ground level is cheaper but it grows back. For permanent removal, stumps need grinding or chemical treatment. Our stump grinding guide covers those costs. For brush with many small stumps, we typically include stump treatment in the clearing price.

Common Brush Removal Projects

Backyard Reclamation

The most common call we get: a homeowner in Billerica or Burlington who has let the back third of their yard go wild for a few years. Now it is a wall of brush and they want their yard back. Typical cost: $800 to $2,500.

Property Line Clearing

Clearing brush along property lines for fence installation, boundary surveys, or just being a good neighbor. Common in Carlisle and Concord where lots are larger. Typical cost: $500 to $1,500.

Trail and Path Clearing

Creating walking trails or access paths through wooded property. Popular with larger lots in Westford, Acton, and Lincoln. Typical cost: $300 to $1,000 depending on length and density.

Pre-Construction Clearing

Clearing brush before building an addition, pool, shed, or other structure. Often combined with tree removal. See our lot clearing cost guide for larger projects. Typical cost: $1,000 to $4,000.

Brush Removal vs. Lot Clearing

Brush removal handles vegetation under 6 inches in diameter: shrubs, saplings, vines, brambles, and ground cover. Lot clearing includes larger trees, stump grinding, and sometimes grading. If your project includes trees over 6 inches, check our lot clearing cost guide and tree removal cost guide for accurate pricing.

Get a Free Brush Removal Estimate

Call McDonald Tree Service at (978) 375-2272 for a free on-site estimate. We will walk the area, assess the density and access, and give you a firm price. Whether it is a small backyard cleanup in Wilmington or a multi-acre clearing in Dracut, we have the crews and equipment to get it done. Family-owned since 1995, serving 18 towns across Middlesex County.