Abstract: The device comprises a rotating drum having flails secured to the outer surface thereof. It is mounted between arms extending from a truck or the like and can be raised and lowered hydraulically. The device is driven over a pile of small trees lying on the ground, with the drum rotating so that flails engage the branches and leaves, etc., and detaches them from the trunks, it being understood that the flails engage between adjacent trees as well as engaging branches which might be extending upwardly from the trunks.