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© VA Forestry Mulching & Excavating
Where we work in Rappahannock County

We work across the whole county, including:


  • Eastern Rappahannock: Castleton, Amissville and Flint Hill

  • The county seat and nearby: Washington, Huntly and Woodville

  • Along the Blue Ridge: Sperryville, Chester Gap and the farms and estates near Shenandoah National Park


We also work in the neighboring counties of Fauquier, Culpeper and Warren.


Don't see your town? We work all across Virginia, including the Eastern Shore. See all of our service areas or call 540-408-2114.

Our services in Rappahannock County
  • Forestry mulching: one machine cuts and grinds brush and small trees in place and spreads it back over the ground as mulch.

  • Invasive species removal: clearing autumn olive, tree of heaven, Bradford pear, multiflora rose, kudzu and other invasives from fields and woods.

  • Land clearing: traditional clearing down to clean ground, with stumps and roots pulled, for a new home, barn, arena or driveway.

  • Tree removal: large, dead and hazardous trees, trees near homes and storm cleanup, with our own tree crews and climbers.

  • Excavating and erosion and sediment control: ponds, driveways, farm roads, culverts, drainage and grading, plus the silt fence and other controls your plan calls for.

Invasive plants in Rappahannock County

Shenandoah National Park, which covers the western edge of the county, tracks invasive plants including autumn olive, kudzu, English ivy, Chinese silvergrass and wavyleaf basketgrass, according to the National Park Service. The same plants spread onto the farms and woods next to the park.


Left alone, these plants take over pastures, fence lines and the edges of woods within a few seasons. Forestry mulching clears shrubs and small trees quickly and leaves a layer of mulch that protects the soil, so the land can be mowed, grazed or replanted.


The spotted lanternfly is here too. Rappahannock County is one of the counties where reporting is no longer required, according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Tree of heaven is its favorite host, and Virginia lists it as a noxious weed, according to Virginia Cooperative Extension. Our Spotted Lanternfly page shows how to spot and control it.


We clear almost all invasives without chemicals. Tree of heaven is the one exception, and our Invasive Species Removal page explains why and what to do about it.

Permits and conservation easements in Rappahannock County
  • Land disturbing permit: the county's Building Office issues land disturbing permits, and single-family homes can use an "Agreement in Lieu of an Erosion & Sediment Plan," according to the Rappahannock County Building Office.

  • Size that needs a permit: Virginia's statewide rule is that disturbing 10,000 square feet (about a quarter acre) or more is regulated, according to the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Regulation. Confirm the exact rule for your parcel with the Building Office.

  • More than 1 acre: the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality handles the state stormwater permit for Rappahannock County, according to the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District.


Conservation easements: More than 33,000 acres in Rappahannock County are protected by conservation easements, roughly 24 percent of the land outside Shenandoah National Park, according to Rappahannock News. Many easements limit how much land can be cleared, so if your land is under one, check your deed and talk to the easement holder before work starts. We'll plan the job to fit it.


Streams, ponds and wetlands can also need state and federal permits. During the estimate, we'll let you know what the law says for your property. The property owner is responsible for getting any permit or plan that's needed, and we install the silt fence and other controls it calls for.

Reviews from our customers nearby

"Kevin did an amazing job mulching brush and woodlands. The property looks like a park and everyone that sees it comments on the remarkable transformation... He is an artist when it comes to forestry mulching" —A. Alvarez, Warrenton, VA


"Working with the owner, Kevin, was a great experience. He helped provide valuable insight into a clearing project we discussed and he developed a straightforward plan to ensure what I needed will be accomplished quickly. He delivered on everything I expected!" —B. Huffman, Culpeper, VA


You can read all 53 of our reviews on Google.

Questions Rappahannock landowners ask

Can you open up a mountain view? Yes. We can clear brush and selected trees to open a view while keeping the trees you want. We'll walk the property with you and mark what stays.


My land is under a conservation easement. Can I still clear it? Often, yes, but your easement sets the rules. Check your deed and talk to the easement holder first, and we'll plan the job to match what it allows.


Do I have to burn the brush? No. Forestry mulching leaves no brush piles, so there's nothing to burn or haul. That also means no waiting on Virginia's 4 PM Burning Law, which limits outdoor burning from February 15 to April 30, according to the Virginia Department of Forestry.


How long does a job take? It always comes back to the site conditions: how dense the forest is, the size of the trees, the slope and ground, access and the weather. A common rule of thumb in the industry is about an acre a day. Production mulching, where the goal is clearing the land as quickly as possible, is the fastest. A park-like setting, where we keep selected trees and leave a cleaner, more detailed finish, takes additional time. We'll walk your property and give you an estimated timeline along with your written price.


What does it cost? Every property is different, so we price each job after walking it. The price depends on how thick the brush is, the size of the trees, slope, access and total acreage. You'll get a written price before any work starts.


Call 540-408-2114 (7 AM to 7 PM, seven days a week) or use our contact form for a free on-site estimate.

Rated 5.0 stars from 53 Google reviews.


Rappahannock County is some of the most beautiful and most protected land in Virginia, with farms, estates and mountain views along the edge of Shenandoah National Park. Kevin, the owner, brings 20 years of experience in land development to every job. We open up views, reclaim pastures and fence lines, clear invasive plants and turn tangled woods into a park-like setting, without tearing up the ground.


Kevin walks every property and gives the estimate himself. Wherever it's possible, we prefer forestry mulching, because it's the most environmentally friendly option, and we'll recommend the right method for your land.


Call 540-408-2114 for a free on-site estimate.

Rappa­hannock County

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