Overgrown back lots, trails and invasive brush mulched in place, with Bedford's stream buffers respected.
Forestry mulching turns brush and small trees into a mulch layer in one pass. In Bedford we use track loaders with forestry mulcher heads for homeowners reclaiming the wooded back of a lot, landowners opening trails and field edges, and builders who need to walk a lot before design. There are no brush piles left to burn or haul.
Call (603) 438-6492 or use Get a Quote with photos and the size of the area. We are based in neighboring Goffstown. Learn more on our forestry mulching page.
Size limit: We can mulch hardwood up to 8 inches in diameter. Larger trees are cut first and the stumps ground separately.
Bedford's stream ordinance spells out what can happen near its brooks, and that decides where a mulcher can and can't go.
Bedford's stream ordinance allows removing invasive plants inside the 50-foot buffer, but invasive removal that disturbs more than 20 percent of the buffer area on a property needs a permit. Larger thickets near a brook should be planned with the town before a machine goes in.
Inside the buffer, the town allows clearing ground cover for a 6-foot-wide trail or a 6-foot view corridor and trimming ground cover to no less than 3 feet. Anything wider stays outside the buffer, where a mulcher can open paths and edges freely.
Many suburban lots keep a wooded strip at the back that fills with saplings and shrubs. Mulching it opens the space for play, gardens or a future lawn without hauling brush through a finished yard.
Lots near town conservation areas such as Pulpit Rock share long wooded boundaries. Boundary markers should be confirmed before mulching so the work stays on your side.
Town stream buffer. Within 50 feet of Bedford's ten named brooks, vegetation stays in its natural condition. Allowed activities include removing dead, diseased or unsafe trees (stumps and roots must remain), a 6-foot trail or view corridor, trimming ground cover to 3 feet, and removing invasive plants. Invasive removal that disturbs more than 20 percent of the buffer on a property needs a permit (Town of Bedford (opens in a new tab)).
Merrimack River shoreland. Within 50 feet of the river, natural ground cover stays intact, and between 50 and 150 feet at least 25 percent of the area must stay natural woodland (NHDES summary (opens in a new tab); RSA 483-B:9 (opens in a new tab)).
Wetlands. Removing material from a bank, marsh or swamp requires a state wetlands permit (RSA 482-A:3 (opens in a new tab)).
Invasive plants. New Hampshire prohibits moving or transplanting living parts of listed invasive species (Agr 3800 (opens in a new tab)).
This is general guidance, not legal advice. We help you spot when a permit question exists so you can confirm it with the town or NHDES before work starts.
Sources: Town of Bedford: Stream Protection Ordinance fact sheet; NHDES: Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act, summary of minimum standards; NH RSA 483-B:9, shoreland minimum standards; NH RSA 482-A:3, wetlands permit requirement; NH Administrative Rules Agr 3800, invasive species
We quote forestry mulching per site rather than publishing set prices. For planning, HomeGuide reports forestry mulching at about $125 to $300 per hour, $1,000 to $2,500 per day, or $400 to $800 per acre on average (HomeGuide (opens in a new tab)). These are national reference ranges, not our prices. Dense invasive brush, slopes and buffer areas in Bedford can move a job well beyond the low end.
Our forestry mulching cost calculator gives a quick planning number. For an exact price, call (603) 438-6492 or request a quote with photos.
Try the forestry mulching cost calculator
Cost references: HomeGuide: Forestry Mulching Cost
A few places locals know, and what they mean for outdoor work nearby.
Town-owned conservation land on New Boston Road in northwest Bedford, built around a rock formation once called the Devil's Pulpit. Lots that border conservation land have boundaries worth confirming before any cutting or clearing.
Get directions to Pulpit Rock Conservation Area (opens Google Maps in a new tab)The largest body of water in Bedford other than the Merrimack River, connected to smaller ponds by Sebbins Brook. Sebbins Brook is one of the streams under the town's 50-foot non-disturbance buffer.
Get directions to Sebbins Pond (opens Google Maps in a new tab)The highest point in Bedford at 845 feet, in the extreme northwest corner of town. Sloped, wooded lots in this part of town need extra planning for equipment access and erosion control.
Get directions to Holbrook Hill (opens Google Maps in a new tab)Runs along part of Bedford's eastern edge. Land within 250 feet of the river is protected shoreland under state law, which limits stump and vegetation removal near the bank.
Get directions to Merrimack River (opens Google Maps in a new tab)Photos from our crew's jobs across New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Invasive removal is allowed in the 50-foot stream buffer, but if it disturbs more than 20 percent of the buffer area on your property, a permit is needed. We plan the mulching outside the buffer and help you decide when a call to the town is needed first.
Bedford allows a 6-foot-wide trail or view corridor through the buffer. Inside that strip the work is limited, so the wider clearing has to stay outside the 50 feet.
A track loader spreads its weight, but crossing a soft lawn can still leave marks. We plan the access route with you and avoid septic areas and irrigation. Dry or frozen ground helps.
A layer of shredded wood over the soil, with stumps cut near ground level. It breaks down over time. If you want lawn there, the stumps can be ground lower, and loam and seed are available as an add-on.
Mulch if you want to open up brush and keep the soil and roots in place. Clear if you are building and need stumps out. See land clearing in Bedford for that option.
See every town we cover on our service areas page.
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