Brush mowing
Brush mowing cuts sagebrush, rabbitbrush, tall weeds and dry grass down to a low stubble with a mower mounted on a track loader. Battle Born Tree Service mows vacant lots, acreage and fire breaks across Carson City, Reno and the valleys around them.
- 4.8 on Google · 44 reviews
- Best of Carson City 2018-2025
- ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A
- Fully insured
Brush mowing is the fast way to take the fuel off a piece of open ground. It is the first tool we reach for on a flat, overgrown lot, and it is one of the main parts of fire mitigation in the high desert.
At a glance
- Brush mower mounted on our 2014 Bobcat T870 track loader
- Vacant lots, acreage, fence lines and fire breaks
- One-time knock-downs or regular seasonal mowing
- Part of our fire mitigation service
- Free estimate
What does a brush mower cut?
The plants that take over open ground in the Great Basin: big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, bitterbrush, tumbleweed, tall whitetop and the annual grasses that dry out by early summer. The mower rides on a tracked machine, so it handles rough and soft ground that a tractor or a riding mower cannot.
- Overgrown vacant lots and corner parcels
- The back acres of a large residential lot
- Strips along fences, driveways and private roads
- Fire breaks around homes, barns and outbuildings
- Commercial and HOA open space
Brush mowing or masticating: which one?
They are close cousins, and on our Bobcat the brush mower and the masticating head are part of the same kit. The difference is in what is being cut.
| Brush mowing | Masticating | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Sagebrush, weeds, grass, light brush | Dense brush, saplings, small trees, slash |
| Result | Low stubble and fine clippings | A layer of coarse wood mulch |
| Typical use | Yearly fuel reduction on open ground | First-time clearing of overgrown land |
The arborist picks the method on the site walk. See masticating and the comparison in mastication vs brush mowing vs hand clearing.
Why mow brush for fire?
Because continuous brush carries fire to the house. The University of Nevada, Reno Extension's Living With Fire guide asks for all dead or dried vegetation to be eliminated out to 100 feet and for separation between shrubs or small groups of shrubs. Mowing does both at once on open ground.
The need is real in the places we work. The USDA Forest Service puts 93.7% of buildings in Washoe Valley, 67.3% in Silver Springs and 64.7% in Golden Valley in its direct wildfire exposure zone, where homes sit in or next to burnable vegetation. More on our defensible space and fire mitigation page.
When should brush be mowed?
Grass and weeds are usually mowed once they have grown and before they cure, which in most years means late spring into early summer. Woody brush can be mowed in any season. Many owners of open land put it on a yearly schedule so the fuel never builds back up.
On hot, dry and windy days any machine working in dry grass can start a fire. Mowing is best planned around the conditions, and you should check for fire restrictions in your district before any outdoor work in summer.
What mowing does not do
It does not remove roots, so sagebrush stays down for years but weeds return each season. It does not take out trees or stumps. For those see lot clearing. And it is not for the first 5 feet around a house, where the Living With Fire guide calls for bare, hard surfaces and no weeds at all.
Sources
- University of Nevada, Reno Extension: Living With Fire Defensible Space Guide (SP-23-07) (read October 1, 2026)
- USDA Forest Service: Wildfire Risk to Communities, data download of April 15, 2026 (read October 1, 2026)
What is included
- A look at the ground, the brush and any obstacles
- Mowing of brush, weeds and dry grass
- Hand trimming around trees, posts and structures as agreed
- Haul-off of debris when the estimate calls for it
Equipment we bring
- 2014 Bobcat T870 track loader
- Brush mower
- Dump trucks
Talk to the office
| Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Saturday and Sunday | Office closed, phones answered |
Phones answered seven days a week. 24-hour emergency service.
Free estimateRelated
Questions about this service
Straight answers
Brush mowing questions
Still have a question? Call 775.232.8243. Phones are answered seven days a week.
How large a property can you mow?
From a single overgrown lot to acreage. Tell us the size and the terrain and we will look at it for a free estimate.
Do you offer mowing every year?
Yes. Ask about putting the property on a seasonal schedule when you request your estimate.
Can the mower work on slopes and rocky ground?
A tracked loader handles rough ground well, within limits. Steep or very rocky areas may need hand work. The site walk settles it.
Will mowing satisfy a weed or fire notice?
It often is what the notice asks for, but the agency that sent it decides. Show us the notice and we will plan the work to match.
Free estimates
Get a free, detailed estimate
A certified arborist looks at the job before any work starts. Tell us what you have and our office will set up a time.
- 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 44 reviews (October 17, 2026)
- Best of Carson City, Best Tree Service, first place 2018 through 2025 (Nevada Appeal readers' poll)
- ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A on staff
- BBB accredited since 2015, A+ rating
- Carson City based since October 2013
Phones answered seven days a week. 24-hour emergency service.