bushhogging kudzu

[BeezFun]

I would not just cut into it! I would really reccomend herbiciding it. Spraying all the leaves you can get at and then cutting the vines and directly appling herbicide to the stems.

He says it's next to a river, I wouldn't spray any chemicals.

 

[smstonypoint]

He says it's next to a river, I wouldn't spray any chemicals.

There are glyphosate-based herbicides labeled for use in/near aquatic environments. Rodeo and AquaMaster are examples.

Steve

 

[cashiocons]

I have a place near Natchez kudzu everywhere and the deer love it more than white oak acorns. I'd leave it alone and plant food plot next to kudzu area.

 

[ThomasH]

I use a finish mower on mine and it cuts it fine. When I tried a bushhog it just wrapped it all up with vines.

 

[Dgoatrider]

Go get some goats they love the stuff and you can sell them when there full and fat

 

[adjusterr]

You didn't mention what size, acreage, you are involved with. Personally, I would spray with a good brush killer, let it set for a few days to take effect then invest in a Ratchet Rake, Google the name and watch the videos, and push the brush, kudzu and whatever trash is there, ahead of your tractor using the Ratchet Rake. If you back up with the Ratchet Rake the clearing process will prepare the ground for game plot seeding. It's a great tool.

 

[HCJtractor]

I have a place near Natchez kudzu everywhere and the deer love it more than white oak acorns. I'd leave it alone and plant food plot next to kudzu area.

I agree. Early season, before the frost, my kudzu stands are my favorite. Deer love it and feel comfortable in it. Hang a high stand over it. Then if you just have to cut it, wait until the dead of winter when it's gone so you can see what's under it.

 

[clemsonfor]

He says it's next to a river, I wouldn't spray any chemicals.

There are glyphosate-based herbicides labeled for use in/near aquatic environments. Rodeo and AquaMaster are examples.

Steve

I saw your post and then Stony's and hit multi guote. I only read the last line of Stony's when the reply screen was loading, i was going to put the trade names in my response but see he already did.

Anyway i will reitterate what he said. THere ARE chemicals LABELED (read legal) for AQUATIC use. They are Rodeo and Aquastar and any generic of the same make up. BUT these are for trees or foliage over or submerged in water or ditches and pond/lake banks. Unless your spraying at a "runoff" spray right next to a body of water in a terrintial downpour in saturated ground it will not runn off? Glyphosate when sprayed or dripped onto the ground is bound up once it enters the soil as harmless crystals. You can use the Aquatic formulas for stuff on land too, its all glyphosate.

And to put validity to what i say i am a Department of Defense licensened pesticide aplicator (herbicide is considered a pesticide. Weeds are a Pest)

 

[Bamaram]

Clemsonfor is exactly right. The major reason the other forms of Aquatic Glyphosate is water friendly isn't the actual Glyphosate, but the suffercants (other ingredients in the jug) that cause aquatic damage. But again like Clemsonfor suggested unless you are directly pouring the stuff in the water or in a way to where it actually runs off the bank and into the water don't worry about aquatic damage. Did you ever mention what game you are after? As, others have said deer love Kudzu. If it has to be cut, just wait til the dead of winter and cut it when it is dead as others have mentioned.

 

[MikeA57]

Thanks! That's what I was looking for. I had thought about holes and stumps but didn't think about other stuff having been disposed there. And, I didn't know that deer liked Kudzu. Do they eat it or bed down in it?

I'm wanting to clear it for food plots. The property is actually approx. 120-130 acres but 95-98% of it is wooded. There are a few places that are/were open and planted in food plot years ago. I haven't been on site yet, just been to the entrance of it and viewed it from overhead.

Then my SIL reminded me that his brother's got a bobcat with front loader and grapple attachment too so we could do some serious clearing with that.

Here's a photo of the area that I'm looking to clear. There are other areas on the tract that are smaller and look about the same. So, if I can clear this one I can leave the others alone if the deer like it that much.