Heavy Duty Herbicide?

[N80]

An ATV could probably handle the actual grade. But the current condition of the slope makes it impassable for any type of vehicle short of a dozer. There are lots of old pine, cedar and gun stumps. Big rocks. And the brush is so thick it is hard to walk through. In other words, even if this spot was flat, there would be no way to take any kind of mower in it until the big stumps and rocks were removed. The slope is also very uneven with little gullies running down it. Not deep, but very irregular.

I've come to the conclusion that this is a perfect situation for chemicals. Maybe once I get all the brush and stuff down I can start on stump removal, etc and get it nice and level. But again, there is no room at the bottom to maneuver a vehicle, its water at the bottom.

I've just got to settle on a chemical and application technique. Being currently broke, I'm going to try to knock it all down by hand this weekend and maybe rent a backpack sprayer to finish it off.

I've decided not to mess with the dam right now.

 

[1bush2hog]

...The slope is also very uneven with little gullies running down it. Not deep, but very irregular.

I've come to the conclusion that this is a perfect situation for chemicals. Maybe once I get all the brush and stuff down I can start on stump removal, etc and get it nice and level. But again, there is no room at the bottom to maneuver a vehicle, its water at the bottom.

I've just got to settle on a chemical and application technique. Being currently broke, I'm going to try to knock it all down by hand this weekend and maybe rent a backpack sprayer to finish it off.

I've decided not to mess with the dam right now.

I'm sure you are familiar with cut stump herbicide application, and the best time to apply is right after the cut. I use a 1 qt hand sprayer with 1 part Remedy and 3 parts cooking oil to treat stumps. Garlon can also be used in place of Remedy.

While I have to use herbicides to control/eliminate exotic invasives on my property, I am always concerned about the environment, especially when I have to apply close to a stream or animals. The amount of surface area and it's close proximity to the water would be a concern for me.

Also, if you wipe out everything with herbicide, those little gullies could create a bigger problem for you -

You mention there is already a good bit of brush that is on the ground. Can you drop the large stuff and then do a controlled burn on that portion of the dam? I know it has been dry, but when there is enough moisture you can backfire the edges before you light the main area to help control the burn area too.

The again there's Murphy's Law of burning - whenever a fire is lit the wind will surely change thereafter.

Any birds nesting in that area?