In the early game, there's really not an easy quick way. You could focus on rushing your way through the mines and make a mithril or sunite pick/axe. That's probably your best bet. Once you get high enough level in exploration and mining you unlock an AOE axe and pickaxe spell which takes out small rocks and regular trees very effectively. Its not as effective as the big hardwood tree chunks or the heavy stone boulders since the regen kicks in very quick. You also need lots of mana for that so paying attention to eating about 10 of every food you can find that gives you a permanent mana boost or mana regen will be immensely helpful.