Can I pull out invasive willows using my tractor?

[plowhog]

You really just have a king size lawn mower as far as weight is concerned...

Are you saying my Massey SCUT is not well-endowed?

I could bring my Massey 1758 from another property, but that means trailering it 100 miles. Its larger, heavier, and has loaded tires whereas the SCUT does not. If I bought a tree puller that is the tractor I would use it on.

Complicating things is our ditch water. It starts flowing next week, and Friday is my irrigation day. After my pasture is irrigated tractor weight will become a disadvantage instead of an advantage. I'm going to try the SCUT and chains on Monday.

 

[oosik]

I'm lucky. No willows - no poison oak - no poison ivy - no poison sumac. However - I have acres of Buck brush. Knee high - diameter of a pencil. I walk thru the stuff - doing FOD and removal. Then with my riding mower - I will chop a large patch down. Not a permanent solution - but it does last four years or more.

This operation has secondary benefits also. All that chopped up brush certainly cleans out the inside of the mower enclosure.

 

[two_bit_score]

Are you saying my Massey SCUT is not well-endowed?

I could bring my Massey 1758 from another property, but that means trailering it 100 miles. Its larger, heavier, and has loaded tires whereas the SCUT does not. If I bought a tree puller that is the tractor I would use it on.

Complicating things is our ditch water. It starts flowing next week, and Friday is my irrigation day. After my pasture is irrigated tractor weight will become a disadvantage instead of an advantage. I'm going to try the SCUT and chains on Monday.

Ive been pulling up bushes and small (2"-6") trees from a fence row. I DO NOT want to damage the fence as it belongs to an elderly neighbor lady. I have been cutting the trees and painting the stumps with strong 2, 4-D. This has been working well. You can expect some new sprouts occasionally and just cut the new growth and douse it with the 2, 4-D and eventually the stumps will rot away.

Even pulling us some trees will not get all the roots and you will get some sprouts. Keep mowing and spraying and they will be gone.

Doing battle with vegetation is a never ending war. Briars seem to sprout up and grow two feet tall over night this time of year.



TBS

 

[plowhog]

Doing battle with vegetation is a never ending war.

I battle willow in Nevada, and scotch broom in California. The scotch broom has pretty yellow flowers in spring.. It lets me know right where to start eradicating. The willows grow so fast that you can't really overlook them.

 

[airbiscuit]

Can you post some pics of your fence line and willows. what is the typical height and diameter?

 

[Bill Groom]

I bought the BG-08 first, and honestly am not a fan. So I got the chain from them, and when it sinks into the tree, it gets things done! The -08 seems to have a hard time getting a solid purchase on too many trees for my liking.

 

[plowhog]

I bought the BG-08 first, and honestly am not a fan. So I got the chain from them, and when it sinks into the tree, it gets things done! The -08 seems to have a hard time getting a solid purchase on too many trees for my liking.

Thanks for posting. I was skeptical of the "pinch" type devices like the BG-08, which is why I was leaning toward the chain.

btw, I'm in California today but back in Nevada tomorrow. I can post pictures later tomorrow.

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[plowhog]

Neighbor said if I take the fence down he will pull the willows with his bobcat. This is the best solution as many are embedded in the fence anyway.

 

[ovrszd]

Get that fence torn down tomorrow before he changes his mind.

Then as a return favor you buy the chemicals and spray the area faithfully, your side and his, to eradicate the roots that are left in the ground. This chemical process will require diligence and patience. Might take 4-5 years to stop regrowth.

I use Remedy. Works great on Willows. Pesky Willows. I hate em. A lot.