Removing Small Trees?

[The Deerslayer]

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..

I bought the brush grubber that is like the one you described as being like pliers. I tried in on a 2 inch sapling (that it was advertised as being able to handle) and attempted to pull it out with my tractor. No dice. Tried a few different things with it and it did not work for me so sent it back. I have a similar project as you and plan to use a chainsaw to bring everything close to the ground and chip the trees/saplings. Will then try my ratchet rake to pull up the small stumps left behind. If that does not work, I plan to get a small excavator to pop them out of the ground. We'll see..... good luck

 

[J_J]

Something like this should work for just about anything you have.

 

[s219]

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.

I meant the second type. Never had issues with mine. Forget the size I have but it's about middle in their lineup. Use it on saplings up to about 2". I generally cut the tree leaving a 2' stump, hook grubber to top of that with chain, and then pull out.

If it's slipping, perhaps yours is too big for that size tree. They all have different jaw sizes. I know the jaws on mine probably wouldn't work on saplings trees less than 3/4" diameter or so, as the pointy teeth are setup for bigger bites.

 

[Whiskey Sniffer]

This is what I use and it works great.


Also good for landscaping and digging holes.

 

[The Deerslayer]

Something like this should work for just about anything you have.

Gotta get me one of those! :thumbsup:

 

[jimmyj]

I guess it also depends how much of a mess you want to make. If I don't care about that, I usually get pretty brutal and use the FEL with a multi tined manure bucket then smooth the ground later. If I want it to look undisturbed, most of the work gets done by hand and I haul the brush away to the burn pile like Eddy. We have a lot of wet spots in the woods and the tractor just won't go there. Once you have a smooth trail run the riding mower over it a few times a season and it will stay real purty forever.

 

[GreenWannabe]

I bought one of these last year, as I lucked into a really good deal on it.

Amazon.com : Brush Grubber BG-20 Brush Grubber Xtreme Plus, Black : Lawn And Garden Towable Tools : Patio, Lawn & Garden

I've used it to pull cedars in the 2 to 4 inch size. The one problem I had using it was that the stump would break off about 18 inches up, so started pulling them near the bottom. Worked like a champ for me.

 

[tooln]

I bought one of these last year, as I lucked into a really good deal on it.

Amazon.com : Brush Grubber BG-20 Brush Grubber Xtreme Plus, Black : Lawn And Garden Towable Tools : Patio, Lawn & Garden

I've used it to pull cedars in the 2 to 4 inch size. The one problem I had using it was that the stump would break off about 18 inches up, so started pulling them near the bottom. Worked like a champ for me.

I bought one of these 3 years ago and it work like a champ. I don't remember where I got it from but know I paid less than $100 for it.

 

[s219]

I believe this is the size I have:

Amazon.com : BAC Industries BG-08 Heavy-Duty Brush Grubber : Lawn And Garden Towable Tools : Patio, Lawn & Garden

They go on sale at Northern Tool once and a while, and if you have a coupon on top of that, it's a good price.

I have also found it useful to tear apart bigger hollow stumps that I can slice into pie-shaped wedges. And it's awesome for pulling fence posts too.

 

[rmorey]

Found this at TSCstores.com - $74.99