What to kill brush with after bush hogging?

[Gary Fowler]

My brother in law still has 2 goats after getting rid of some problem ones. They not only eat weeds, but trees and shrubbery. They also climb up on everything around including car hoods. They are a PIA to keep without the worry of predators. You have to have 2x4" net wire because the 4x4 will allow them to stick their heads thru and if they have horns which most goat do, then you will be spending a lot of time releasing them from the fence. You couldn't give me a goat for any amount of money.

2,4-D is the way to go for brush removal, you do have to be cautious in application as it will kill any broadleaf that it gets on including your wanted yard trees and flowers. Drift is bad in a strong wind and can get carried over to your neighbor's yard so be careful in applying it.

 

[jinman]

Perhaps I didn't read the OP correctly, but application of herbicide needs to be done before brush hogging. You need to let the herbicide kill the brush and then clean up by hogging. If you wait until the hogged stubble starts to resprout, that would be good, but herbicides have to be applied to leaves to be effective. In the case of mimosa, you no doubt have seeds spread around from years and years before. I removed a mimosa from my back yard and was still digging up seedling mimosas sprouting in my flowerbeds over 10 years later. Goats will keep the low growth trimmed, but if the goats eat the seed pods from larger trees, they will just help keep a constant mimosa crop by spreading seeds everywhere in their droppings. You have to remove any large bushes/trees so the goats don't have seeds to eat. Mimosa and mesquite are very similar in the way they spread in my opinion, but mimosa is less disease and drought tolerant. I'm no expert, but it's just my observation.

 

[DeereMann]

I like and use Crossbow. It is a 2,4-d and Triclipur mix. Think I spelled that right. It will be hard on clovers and blackberries but will leave most grasses. Read the label and follow it. It is for woody stemmed plants. Use for a couple of years and keep ground mowed and soil sample to check ph and nutrient levels as this combination will get rid of most of your problems. You may have to spot spray for a few years but shouldn't be to bad. Spent a previous life as a crop advisor.

Crossbow is very good for broadleaf vegetation, but does nothing on grasses. OP needs grass control as well. Any brand of glyphosate for that (original patented tradename = Roundup by Monsanto). I recommend Trimec for broadleaf brush control. In addition to 2,4-D & Triclopyr, it also has MCPP. These 3 will kill any kind of brush you have. To control brush the cut needs to be recent so the chemical soaks into the cambrium of the stems. Back in the day, we hand-painted it on with a little diesel fuel mixed in.

Then come back in springtime for grasses with glyphosate. Remember this only works when the plant is green & growing, as it interferes with photosynthesis.

Good luck!

 

[farmer2009]

Crossbow is very good for broadleaf vegetation, but does nothing on grasses. OP needs grass control as well. Any brand of glyphosate for that (original patented tradename = Roundup by Monsanto). I recommend Trimec for broadleaf brush control. In addition to 2,4-D & Triclopyr, it also has MCPP. These 3 will kill any kind of brush you have. To control brush the cut needs to be recent so the chemical soaks into the cambrium of the stems. Back in the day, we hand-painted it on with a little diesel fuel mixed in.

Then come back in springtime for grasses with glyphosate. Remember this only works when the plant is green & growing, as it interferes with photosynthesis.

Good luck!

He later stated it was a very steal hill glyphosate (roundup) is a non-selective herbicide. It will kill everything even though it struggles with broadleaf plants. Leaving no vegetation to hold the hill which will lead to erosion and water quality issues. If he can control brush and weeds he can mow the hill once or twice a year and have it look nice.

 

[Fan of the 1911]

I would like to keep the grass, and loose the stubble. The stubble seems to flatten my tires. I did spray it in late summer, early fall. It has got cool and it with the cool weather did brown up some of it. It was sprayed heavy, but with a light mix less than the required for heavy brush. I mixed it light because it was in a spot just across the driveway, didn't want to kill the good grass. Just the brush.

The stubble is thick 3/4-1 1/2" may wait till it greens back in the spring then kill it again. Maybe have a goat or 2 in the spring.

 

[foreman Etexas]

I would like to keep the grass, and loose the stubble. The stubble seems to flatten my tires. I did spray it in late summer, early fall. It has got cool and it with the cool weather did brown up some of it. It was sprayed heavy, but with a light mix less than the required for heavy brush. I mixed it light because it was in a spot just across the driveway, didn't want to kill the good grass. Just the brush.

The stubble is thick 3/4-1 1/2" may wait till it greens back in the spring then kill it again. Maybe have a goat or 2 in the spring.

Do you have a loader with bucket ? If so can run it low enough to try and pop the stubbles up.

 

[Creamer]

Jinman has it right. Let it get in full leaf and then spray it. The leafier the better. 2,4-D is good but Crossbow or Trimec is better. Kill it first and then mow it off or possibly use the scoop and break it off so you do not have the stubble. Have to let it dry out first. if you are patient enough spray it a couple of times and make sure you get it all before you mow it. Spraying after mowing is good for the low stuff but it sounds like you have bigger brush you want to get rid of.

 

[cbarlandandcattleco]

For Mesquite, I use Remedy with Diesel. Works for me.

 

[farmer2009]

For Mesquite, I use Remedy with Diesel. Works for me.

Not a fan of adding diesel to any spray mixture. Matter of fact I recommend against it. It burns the cuticles of the leaves so fast that the herbicide is not absorbed properly. If not absorbed correctly then it can decrease its effectiveness. Both the active ingredients in crossbow are systemic which means they must reach the roots in order to be most effective. The best and fastest way is if the plant is not harmed during the spray process.

If you are wanting a surfactant to assist the herbicide which I highly recommend then follow the label. Adding a COC, MSO, or NIS per label recommendations is very helpful. Dawn dish soap also works well in place of a NIS on small scale stuff as it also reduces the surface tension of the water to produce better spray coverage of the leaf.

Greenbook Data Solutions

This website has most of the labels for all herbicides on it. I think you have to register but is free.

 

[two_bit_score]

Not a fan of adding diesel to any spray mixture. Matter of fact I recommend against it. It burns the cuticles of the leaves so fast that the herbicide is not absorbed properly. If not absorbed correctly then it can decrease its effectiveness. Both the active ingredients in crossbow are systemic which means they must reach the roots in order to be most effective. The best and fastest way is if the plant is not harmed during the spray process.

If you are wanting a surfactant to assist the herbicide which I highly recommend then follow the label. Adding a COC, MSO, or NIS per label recommendations is very helpful. Dawn dish soap also works well in place of a NIS on small scale stuff as it also reduces the surface tension of the water to produce better spray coverage of the leaf.

Greenbook Data Solutions

This website has most of the labels for all herbicides on it. I think you have to register but is free.

The way I've always seen recommended for Remedy/Diesel is to paint/spray it on the trunk at about three foot from the ground to the ground. Not on the leaves. Maybe I was told and did it wrong but that seemed to work. Better on smooth bark trees.