Removing thorn bushes - looking for suggestions

[huffy2404]

I've been lurking here for a long time just soaking up all of the great information, but now I have a question and I hope some of you pros might have some suggestions. I have a bunch of these thorn bushes growing on some property that I recently purchased and I am looking for ideas on how to remove them. I want to do something that doesn't leave a bunch of stumps like brush hogging would. I have pulled up probably 400 sq feet of these with a small winch truck, but that takes forever. I'm wondering if there might be some kind of attachment for my tractor that might make this easier.

 

[jeff9366]

It would be helpful if you would list horsepower and weight of your Branson tractor in description.

You will get many opinions here, but MY first choice would be a Ratchet Rake, available from most Tractor Supply stores or from T-B-N store.

It not a root rake, but it works pretty well as a root rake.

It is not a landscape rake, but it works pretty well as a landscape rake.

Best $299 attachment I have.

Does your Branson have a FEL?

Ken's Bolt On Grab Hooks might be second most used accessory on my Top Ten list.

http://www.boltonhooks.com

 

[huffy2404]

My tractor is 40hp and I would think around 5500 lbs and it does have a FEL.

 

[jeff9366]

My tractor is 40hp and I would think around 5500 lbs and it does have a FEL.

Man, you are SET: Ratchet Rake.

The RR will grab those bushes and with 5,500 lbs tractor weight you should be able to drag roots-and-all out easily.

 

[Timm250]

I cut them down with a chainsaw & spray the stump with Remedy. I have pulled them up before & every broken root sprouts & make a new bush. So basically what happens is the one you pull up becomes 6-8 more thorn bushes.

 

[AKfish]

I've been lurking here for a long time just soaking up all of the great information, but now I have a question and I hope some of you pros might have some suggestions. I have a bunch of these thorn bushes growing on some property that I recently purchased and I am looking for ideas on how to remove them. I want to do something that doesn't leave a bunch of stumps like brush hogging would. I have pulled up probably 400 sq feet of these with a small winch truck, but that takes forever. I'm wondering if there might be some kind of attachment for my tractor that might make this easier.

View attachment 312584

Welcome to TBN, huffy. What exactly are those things?? I was looking for the "thorns" but couldn't really see any. They looked more like "volunteer" trees from those mature, seed spreaders right next to 'em!

Are those tall trees, Oaks?

The reason I'm asking, of course is to make sure you don't get too fired up with spraying this or that on the stumps, roots, etc. 'Cause if you like those big trees... well, they might not like whatever you're sprayin' on the ground!

Next question - what are you planning to do with the area after the shrubs are gone? Pasture, hay? If you're gonna plant it to a pasture mix or a hay field be aware of possible carry-over affecting new plants.

I liked the looks (and performance) of that Ratchet Rake - impressive! But, as was pointed out; young root stock left in the ground does a fine job of re-growing. IMO - I'd contact your local NRCS extension agent and pick his brain. Likely save you some time and money and less chance of going thru a whole 'nother round of do-over...

AKfish

 

[Timm250]

Welcome to TBN, huffy. What exactly are those things?? I was looking for the "thorns" but couldn't really see any. They looked more like "volunteer" trees from those mature, seed spreaders right next to 'em!

Are those tall trees, Oaks?

The reason I'm asking, of course is to make sure you don't get too fired up with spraying this or that on the stumps, roots, etc. 'Cause if you like those big trees... well, they might not like whatever you're sprayin' on the ground!

Next question - what are you planning to do with the area after the shrubs are gone? Pasture, hay? If you're gonna plant it to a pasture mix or a hay field be aware of possible carry-over affecting new plants.

I liked the looks (and performance) of that Ratchet Rake - impressive! But, as was pointed out; young root stock left in the ground does a fine job of re-growing. IMO - I'd contact your local NRCS extension agent and pick his brain. Likely save you some time and money and less chance of going thru a whole 'nother round of do-over...

AKfish

I did this in my pasture. Remedy didn't hurt the grass & it didn't spread from where it was sprayed. I put it directly on the freshly cut stump with a hand sprayer. Tordon does a really good job killing off the stump but it will spread & kill other trees that are close.

 

[huffy2404]

Welcome to TBN, huffy. What exactly are those things?? I was looking for the "thorns" but couldn't really see any. They looked more like "volunteer" trees from those mature, seed spreaders right next to 'em!

Are those tall trees, Oaks?

The reason I'm asking, of course is to make sure you don't get too fired up with spraying this or that on the stumps, roots, etc. 'Cause if you like those big trees... well, they might not like whatever you're sprayin' on the ground!

Next question - what are you planning to do with the area after the shrubs are gone? Pasture, hay? If you're gonna plant it to a pasture mix or a hay field be aware of possible carry-over affecting new plants.

I liked the looks (and performance) of that Ratchet Rake - impressive! But, as was pointed out; young root stock left in the ground does a fine job of re-growing. IMO - I'd contact your local NRCS extension agent and pick his brain. Likely save you some time and money and less chance of going thru a whole 'nother round of do-over...

AKfish

I think you are spot on about them being "volunteer" trees. The big trees in the picture are thorny as well, but I have not been able to identify them as of yet. I do know that they are not oaks.

I agree about not wanting to spray them since I intend to keep the larger trees.

This is at my future home site, so the area will be used as a yard and be kept mowed regularly, so I don't think re-growth should be an issue.


Thank you all for the suggestions thus far. This is a great community here.

 

[RaydaKub]

Man, you are SET: Ratchet Rake.

The RR will grab those bushes and with 5,500 lbs tractor weight you should be able to drag roots-and-all out easily.

x3 on the rachet rake. I used mine on my little BX last summer and ripped out a gob of honeysuckle. Most fun I've had in a number of years on a tractor.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[T Dew]

I've heard great things about the RR and the Piranha bar for such jobs, but I have yet to use either of them. I have, however, cleared lots of areas on my property that look similar to yours. I haven't yet found a method that is an acceptable level of work. I usually just end up doing more work than I thought I would/should have, cussing a lot, and promising to come up with a better method. To that end, I'll be following this thread with great interest.

 

[DKCDKC]

I vote for the RR. I have one on a smaller tractor and have pushed out several varieties of woody thorn bushes. I have to wait for the period after a shower to push out the larger ones, but they come up roots and all. I then maintain the area with bush hogging and have not had them return. The RR also works great on sage and smaller brush, and smaller trees. When I have to cut a larger tree, the RR also helps push it into piles for composting/wildlife, or burning.

 

[medic0648]

I don't have a RR so I usually set the loader bucket flat or angled down just enough to grab and push into a pile, then drag a bb with the scarifiers set to just cut into the dirt to remove most of the rest. We have big issues with briars and wild berry bushes. Keeps them under control and I like the berry bushes growing back for the wildlife. Another option is goats if you can verify it isn't poisonous to them. The rams will level them to get to every bit of foliage.

 

[Dingeryote]

Velpar. Now in early spring.

By July they will be dead and crispy enough to simply push out.

The Ratchett rake looks like a fun attachment though...never ignore a good excuse to add another tool to the box. No matter what the wife says, they ARE necessary.

 

[DJ54]

And some foam filled tires..!!

 

[stuckmotor]

It would be helpful if you would list horsepower and weight of your Branson tractor in description.

Great Idea, Jeff. If everyone did that, it would save me lots of trips to tractordata.com

 

[stuckmotor]

Those bushes look like honey locust. My brother saws the big ones down and PULLS them out of the pasture to keep from running over the thorns. He says they'll flatten a tire even a year after being cut.

 

[huffy2404]

Sounds like I need to get me a ratchet rake. Thanks for all the input!

 

[SPYDERLK]

Bushog with dull blades ... this will fray and loosen cut stobs. Then follow up a day or so later with the ratchet rake. Keep the area cut down diligently for awhile to deal with sprouts.
larry

 

[bhh]

I ripped out about 150-200 SF of invasive multiflora rose last weekend in about 15 minutes on an L3800 with a grapple.

 

[Treesanddust]

Where in Texas are you located?
I couldn't really tell in the picture, but the trees look a bit like mesquite.
If you're dealing with mesquite, you really need to research how to get rid of them. They are not like normal trees.