Brushing differs from land clearing by what vegetation is removed. Where land clearing might include the removal of over story vegetation, brushing is simply the removal of brush species in either open spaces or under forest canopies.

Brushing has several applications. Some of these might include: blackberry and scotch broom removal encroaching on yards or fields, release of plantations, urban development, reducing wildfire and hazards in parks and campgrounds, clearing lines for surveyors or fencing contractors, removal of ornamentals for landscaping, urban interface fuels reduction and general forest fuels reduction.