Another brier thread

Barton · Mar 18, 2005

I have lived in this part of the country almost 30 years now and had never seen this type of brier until we moved to our current home. The property was never cleared as the previous owner said he wanted to leave it natural for the wildlife. Well, after to many encounters with copperheads I started spraying, slashing and burning.

The first summer I mainly sprayed the poison ivy. The second year I started cutting the brush and vines off at ground level and burning. Last year these vines sent up new shoots, some about an inch in diameter. They can grow straight up at least 4 or 5 feet without any support.

My sweetie said they were obscene and I have to agree. The vine has thorns for the first 10 feet or so and have glossy, waxy green leafs. The old vines grew way up into the trees, some where at least 30 feet high. Last year I cut the new shoots off close to the ground and painted the stubs with full strength Brush-B-Gon or Roundup. Apparently it just slowed them down for 15 to 20 minutes. Well, maybe a few days.

This year I have started digging out the tubers. Apparently this is the only way to get rid of them. I googled for more info on them and I guess they are a type of greenbrier. I suspect they grow all across the South.

The picture shows a wad of tubers that came from 1 spot. The biggest wad so far. I started digging it out with the spade but the tubers just kept going. So I got out the GC2310 and the BH made it quick and easy.

Taylortractornut · Mar 18, 2005

Bart find an oldtimer or wood carver there, They make some nice pipes and other things out of dried Briar roots. If you use round up ot another poison on the plants add some diesel fuel or soap with it to help it cut through the waxy leaves. We have to do this with alot of fence rows.

gotrocks · Mar 19, 2005

From another gawga boy to another, I've always called them "bamboo briars" but since you asked I spent a little time searching and found this site.

http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/C867-2.htm

Check it out and see if this helps.

Cutting them off and has been a never ending task for me. I dig like you have done.

I've tried to let some of the large tubers dry but they usually rot. As mentioned I also thought they would dry hard and could be used to fabricate small objects.
If anyone knows the secrete to drying so they can be carved or turned on a lathe I will appreciate your transfer of knowledge.

Barton, my oldest son was in Leesburg a couple of years ago. Methodist Pastor.

JimMorrissey · Mar 19, 2005

I was reading this thinking.....this guy is going to have to rent a back hoe....Thankfully you own one! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Barton · Mar 19, 2005

Taylortractornut,

Thanks for the tip. I'll try both and see which works best. It should work for the newly sprouted ones but probably not for the ones with a cluster of tubers.

Yeah, it's a shame the tubers can't be used for something. I don't know any carvers but if I run across one I'll ask him about it. I read on the net that the natives used to pound them to a pulp, strain it and do a few other things to it, then eat it. Sounded like a lot of work. I wonder if it taste like chicken. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Gotrocks,

Thanks for the link. I read something similar but the link you provided has more info. I suspect where you and I live that it's to humid to air dry the tubers. Could probably out in the Mojave. I use to air dry apricots when I lived out there. Tasted grrreat! One idea is to peal the tuber and stick it up in the attic for a while. I think I'll try one just for kicks.

If you live a bit west of Columbus then I know your son and have met you! Tell him I said hi.

Jim,

You're right. The BH is the only way to go for those large clusters. They have some realy tough roots, also. I found another large cluster today that I'll have to use the BH on.

At first I was using the spade to dig them up with. Even tho the spade has a good cutting edge, one good kick was not enough to cut through the entire tuber. I have had to jump on the spade with both feet to go all the way through.

Yesterday, I started using a heavy mattock pick. A picture of it is attached. I put a good cutting edge on it and it works like a champ on the smaller clusters. I get down on my knees, swing it, and then pry. The cutting and prying can pop several tubers out together. I find it easier to just stay on my half worn out knees, instead of gettin up and down, since I have to sift the dirt to make sure all of the pieces are picked up. I have dug up 9 clusters, a heaping wheelbarrow load, in the last 2 days.

Yeah, I know.... more than anybody wanted to know..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif