Removing Small Trees?

[ritcheyvs]

I need to remove a number of small seedling trees, mainly pine and sweetgum to clear trails. etc. I recently got a stumpbucket although I really haven't broken the code on using it yet. I've also seen videos and advertisements for something called a tree/post puller that looks impressive but is expen$ive. So, what is the collective experience/recommendations of the TBN group on removing small trees? Thanks.

 

[s219]

For saplings, I'd recommend a brush grubber -- they are inexpensive and work very well, and there are several sizes to choose from. But you said seedlings, which I take to be quite a bit smaller. You could bush-hog them or hit them with a brush cutter blade in a weed whacker, but they'd come back.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Like how many saplings? I'm using a Stihl Brush cutter for clearing saplings around trees that I don't bang my cap top into.

 

[tooln]

Have you ever thought of spraying with glyphosate for real small stuff (under 1/2" diameter) or a brush grubber for larger.

 

[jimmyj]

I mow them if they are small and the ground is level. For larger ones, if there aren't too many I either cut them off at ground level with a brush cutter or chainsaw. I want them gone not just dead and still there. If they are a bit larger I simply use a chain to wrap them and pull them out roots and all.

Are you talking dozens or thousands? What is the ground like, dry, wet, rocky, level?

 

[rd_macgregor]

I've tried lots of different approaches from jerking them out by hand (works for up to about 1/2" dia), long-handled loppers, thinning saw, mowing, all the way to gouging up everything with the tractor. When I disabled my tractor this summer, I also bought a PullerBear so I could continue battling seedlings and saplings on my trails. Pulling one at a time tends to make a lot less mess. Mowing leaves little stubs (which may or may not try to grow back), but can be uncomfortable/hazardous underfoot; same with larger stumps. The Stihl thinning saw also leaves stubs, but works pretty well (ie quickly); I use the tractor or a chainsaw on larger trees. If most of yours are still pretty small, something like a Ratchet Rake or maybe a Piranha might work, too. I've often thought that the ideal gadget would be kind of like the claw on a claw hammer. This would hook the stems to pull them up, then swipe backwards on the ground to release the stems from the claws...I think the Ratchet Rake an Piranha may work somewhat like this, but I've never tried either, myself.

 

[TJP89]

It matters how many there are. I just finished clearing my front field of locust trees, from knee high to 20ft. The biggest I used a combo of chainsaw and loader (wish I had a grapple too), while the smallest I just mowed down. The problem would be if there is a bunch of saplings too big to mow. I've had good luck with pushing them over with the tractor and then cutting them up as much as necessary. One or two big ones I yank out with a chain, but that takes time. I'm not worried about getting everything out as I will mow this now on a regular basis. From what I've read, there is no accepted method of pulling small trees, this is mine. Others will have theirs, probably quicker as it took me a while to do the job.

 

[CJONE]

for small brush I angle the grapple down and take the top couple inches of soil and growth and push it to the side. bigger stuff 2-4" I'll push over then pop the roots out with the grapple. Bigger than that I usually have to pop a few roots then push it over. CJ

 

[EddieWalker]

I just keep mowing them like I do all the other weeds that pop up on my trails and fields. If they are too big to mow, then I dig them out and haul them to the burn pile. But it's pretty hard for one to get that big on an existing trail or field that I'm already mowing on a regular basis. For me, that means 4 times a year.

Eddie

 

[ritcheyvs]

.... Are you talking dozens or thousands? What is the ground like, dry, wet, rocky, level?

Specific answer: Probably dozens, certainly not thousands. The ground is mostly clay under top soil (forest floor), rocks are rare, and it's fairly damp right now.

Thanks all for replies/ideas/techniques. I'm helping a neighbor create a dirt trail back to his clearing. It looks like there had been a trail there within the last century. Most of the trees there are no more than 3-4 inches in diameter and most are much smaller. In addition to that project, there are several overgrown trails in my woods that I'd like to re-open, just on general principles.

Question: What is meant by "brush grubber"? I see two types when I Google the term. One is like a chain with teeth and the other is like a big pliers with teeth that grip tighter when you pull. I have a medium-size grubber of the later type but it just seems to slip up the tree trunk after the tree bends when I pull with the tractor.

My stump bucket pushes into the ground just fine until it hits a big root and it stops. It seems that I'd need to dig a pretty big hole to get the stump out with the stump bucket. So I plan to put a box blade on the back to smooth over the resulting hole before I get serious with that bucket.

I enjoy learning from the shared experience of the TBN group, so thanks again..