Cedar Removal &
Defensible Space in
the Texas Hill Country
We mulch Ashe juniper in place and clear the three zones around your structures, 0 to 100 feet out. It is for homeowners and ranches in Austin and the Hill Country. Cedar mulching runs $2,000–$5,200 per acre and defensible space $3,000–$4,500 per acre. Most jobs start 1–3 weeks after approval, with before and after photos included.
Why is cedar
such a fire risk
in the Hill Country?
Cedar, what locals call Ashe juniper, is a dominant fuel across Travis, Hays, Blanco and Burnet counties. It crowds out native vegetation and builds the continuous canopy that lets ground fire climb into the treetops.
A property that looks mostly cleared, with cedar still standing in the middle band, has not built defensible space. The fix is to take the cedar out of the zones, not to thin it.
How does
cedar removal work?
Four steps, from site walk to delivered photos.
We walk the property with you. We note cedar density, canopy and how close the fuel sits to structures. An optional drone scan and 3D surface model of the site is $500–$1,500 per scan.
We lay out the 0–5, 5–30 and 30–100 ft zones, flag ladder fuel corridors and set the order of work. You get a written quote within 48 hours of the walk.
Our CAT 299D3 XE with an FAE mulching head processes standing cedar, deadfall and ground debris into mulch. Nothing leaves the site. No burning, so no burn-ban delays and no smoke. Healthy oaks stay; see selective clearing.
We walk the site again and photograph a before and after comparison. It is a dated visual record of the work. It is not a survey.
What are the
three zones?
The Texas A&M Forest Service describes three home ignition zones. Each needs different work. We work them from the structure out. Last reviewed: September 2026.
Home ignition zones · Diagram not to scale
Why mulch in place instead of burning or hauling?
Most Texas land-clearing burns fall under TCEQ outdoor-burning rules and county burn bans. Mulching avoids all of that.
Built for Hill Country Cedar.
Compact track loader with an FAE forestry mulching head. It processes standing cedar, deadfall and ground debris in one pass and works around trees we want to keep.
Optional add-on. Drone with RTK positioning. It records cedar density, canopy and structure proximity on the ground surface before or after clearing. Our drone scans measure surfaces, quantities and grades. They are not a boundary survey or a sealed survey by a licensed surveyor, and a drone cannot see below the ground surface.
What do you get
to show your insurer?
You get dated before and after photos of the cleared area. We do not certify compliance with any code or program. Whether an insurer, HOA or fire marshal credits the record is their decision.
What does cedar removal cost per acre?
| Service | Unit | Range | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar mulching, light brush | per acre | $2,000–$2,800 | Most jobs start 1–3 weeks after approval; length depends on acreage |
| Cedar mulching, moderate | per acre | $2,800–$3,900 | |
| Cedar mulching, dense cedar | per acre | $4,000–$5,200 | |
| Defensible space around structures | per acre | $3,000–$4,500 | |
| Yearly maintenance visit | per visit | $2,000–$3,500 | Spring is typical |
Prices reviewed: September 2026. Ranges for Austin and Central Texas; your site walk sets the final number. All pricing · Land clearing calculator
Cedar Removal &
Defensible Space — FAQ
How much does cedar removal and defensible space cost?
Cedar mulching runs $2,000–$5,200 per acre, depending on density. Defensible space around structures runs $3,000–$4,500 per acre. Your site walk sets the final number.
Does mulching eliminate the fire risk?
It removes standing cedar and the canopy ladder that carries ground fire into the treetops. It reduces fire risk inside the cleared zones. It does not make a property fireproof.
Will you keep my native oaks?
Yes. We flag oaks and other desirable trees on the site walk and work around them. We avoid pruning or wounding oaks from roughly February through June because of oak wilt.
How long does cedar removal take?
A moderate 5-acre job typically runs a few days. Dense cedar or steep ground adds time. Most jobs start 1–3 weeks after approval.
Does cedar come back after mulching?
Ashe juniper does not resprout once it is cut below the lowest green limb, so regrowth is mostly seedlings. A yearly maintenance visit removes them while they are small.
Will my insurer accept your documentation?
We cannot promise how any insurer treats it. You get dated before and after photos to send to your agent. If your carrier has specific requirements, tell us up front.
Is 100 ft of defensible space required in Texas?
Texas has no statewide defensible-space mandate. Inside Austin city limits the City of Austin Wildland-Urban Interface Code applies. Outside the city, your insurer, HOA or local fire department sets the ask.
What counties do you serve?
Travis, Williamson, Hays, Burnet, Blanco, Llano, Bastrop and the surrounding Central Texas counties. Ask us about anything farther out.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, NFPA, City of Austin.
Book Your
Cedar Site Walk.
We walk the property, fly it, and show you where the gaps are. Written quote within 48 hours of the site walk.
Most jobs start 1–3 weeks after approval · Central Texas