Mesquite Removal

I was hoping to tap into the forums knowledge here from different perspectives on Mesquite removal. The first is as a customer and second as someone looking to potentially get into the mesquite clearing business.

I am looking to have about 300 acres cleared of mesquite, varying density, mix of old and new growth. As I look for bids to clear the land, what would be an appropriate range to expect the project to fall into on a per acre basis and how long should I expect clearing to take (assuming a smaller team / 1 machine). The property, mostly flat, is just outside of Mineral Wells, Texas.

My second question for those who are doing this type of work either on the side or full time, how do you do your estimates? Do you provide a hard number or an estimated range when taking a job? I found one online resource, but the numbers are more than 20 years old and not sure if they adjust appropriately to todays labor costs: https://texnat.tamu.edu/about/brush-busters/mesquite/how-to-estimate-cost-for-controlling-mesquite/
Finally, what kind of margins are you building in for the project typically and how much are you valuing your own time at in those calculations?

You could try calling the county extension agent, they might be able to help. Also try Facebook groups in Mineral Wells, guys advertise land services all of the time in our area in for-sale FB groups. We're lucky, no cedar or mesquite on our acreage.

Shears on skid steers is pretty popular, dozers dragging chains, mulch heads, etc.

This beats a chainsaw, and hand labor...

There is already a fairly large land clearing company out in your general area. I think they are in the Jacksboro area. It is called "4K Companies LLC". They used to mulch for around $400/acre, and root plow for $300/acre. This work is not cheap and requires a lot of high dollar equipment. I cleared over 1000 acres here in the Denton area several years ago.
Even after clearing, you will have to spray the stuff that comes back for several years, at least 5 or more. You will also need to keep it mowed at least twice/year. I can tell you from experience that even 10 years after clearing the land, some of it is way overgrown again, and some of it I had to mow last year, as the owner had not mowed it for several years. The 125 acres I mowed was so tall and thick I was told to mow whatever I could push over with the big tractor and the 16' Brush Hog mower. The rest we had to mulch, again.
I recommend you hire the work out, and forget entering the land clearing business yourself.

I believe a mesquite grubber on an excavator is a good choice. Theres a good read on the University of Texas, Dallas Campus website. It involves total removal, a little slower but no spraying for 5 years