What do do with semi-cleared section

Conhntr · #1 10/26/13, 06:45 PM

I posted on here before about a tree i was unsure of and you all where nice enough to let me know it is the horrific "tree of heaven". Well i spent about 3 weekends clearing it out of the 1 acre area it had taken a hold. I used a brush cutter and cut everything under 2" inches. Then went back with a chainsaw and cut all the tree of heavens and anything else that was dead, dying, had poor shape, and the trees that where over strangled with monkey vines.

I took out every 3-4" and up for firewood, most of the crowns i got out to the burn pile and then there is alot of small 1" -- 2" wood and a whole lot of dead brush that i have trampled down but the ground is covered with the brush and branches thick. It was a real jungle!!

The remaining trees are several 100'x3-4' tulip poplars, 1 cherry but it is growing prettty sideways, alot of small walnuts and some 6"-12" maples. Now the question; i know the tree of heaven is going to sprout back with a vengence and with my brushcutter i can chop down that whole area in a few hours and do it once a month. But with all the thorns and vines and brush i couldnt even crawl in there. What is my best option for keeping it accessble so i can walk in there and continue managing the tree of heavens. Im thinking woodchips in a nice heavy lawyer but i would much prefer some kind of plant groundcover. Any ideas??

Darren · #2 10/26/13, 07:41 PM

Chips on the ground won't stop the Ailanthus. I'm not sure what you mean by a brush cutter. If it's a brush hog, I back over stuff like multiflora, greenbrier, smaller russian olive and brambles.

I use one of the heavier bicycle handlebarred weedwackers with a 12" brush blade. It's actually got the moxie to grind away at 2" stuff and sever it. It's like a lawnmower on a stick.

Multiflora, brambles, etc. don't have a chance. It's a good idea to wear one of the face guards because stuff will be flying everywhere. Don't let anybody stand nearby.

FarmboyBill · #3 10/26/13, 07:43 PM

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I cant see anyone clearing a section in a few hours, or maybe days if there doing a section.

Darren · #4 10/26/13, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmboyBill

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I cant see anyone clearing a section in a few hours, or maybe days if there doing a section.

We don't have land laid out in sections, 640 acres, in the East FBB.

FarmboyBill · #5 10/26/13, 10:46 PM

Well, that's what I read in your heading lol.

Conhntr · #6 10/27/13, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmboyBill

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I cant see anyone clearing a section in a few hours, or maybe days if there doing a section.

Bill where we are on the east coast it isnt flat, unfertile, useless land that is divided into 640 acre pieces. Land here is valuable and can actually sustain animals and plants! So we dont use "sections" in that sense becuase 640 acres would be enough for around 50 homesteads.

1shotwade · #7 10/27/13, 06:01 AM

If I understand your post correctly I'll chime in here and you can just disregard if not applicable.
First you cut down tree/brush right? Well at the time you cut them It's an easy thing to keep them from re sprouting .Farm supply stores have a product called "tordon ? Spelling". when you make the cut,treat the ring of inter bark with it and you're done. If there is green below where you treated it will keep growing. This stuff is cheap.($13 qt.) Same thing w/even stuff the size of a pencil. Cut below all green,1 drop of tordon on the cut and it won't grow back.
Another option for the "brush" is roundup or 2-4-D.Roundup will kill 'bout anything. 2-4-D will not kill grass. It's concentrated "weed be gone".Just spray it on and it'll do the job.
I'm sure a lot of people are going to start crying about using chemicals but it's a decision you can make.
You said you are stomping the brush in,well,why?It could br pilled up and left for the wildlife,or be burnt. That's the old school way of dealing with it.If you pile your brush where you want blackberrys it'll happen in a couple years thanks to wild birds using the brush as a perch.
I live in the woods. I try to keep it cleaned up around the house so I got a chipper for the brush and all that's always falling from the trees.This is another option for you,especially since the chips make a pretty decent path to walk on.
Like I said,I don't know if any of this applies to you so just gleen through if and if it helps fine.

Wade

farmrbrown · #8 10/27/13, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conhntr

Im thinking woodchips in a nice heavy lawyer but i would much prefer some kind of plant groundcover. Any ideas??

I never tried that one, but as toxic as lawyers are, that may just work!

Snowfan · #9 10/27/13, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmrbrown

I never tried that one, but as toxic as lawyers are, that may just work!

Would that be considered hazardous waste and require all kinds of permits?

wwubben · #10 10/27/13, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conhntr

Bill where we are on the east coast it isnt flat, unfertile, useless land that is divided into 640 acre pieces. Land here is valuable and can actually sustain animals and plants! So we dont use "sections" in that sense becuase 640 acres would be enough for around 50 homesteads.

What are you talking about.The state of Iowa is divided into 640 acre sections.It looks like a checkerboard when you are flying over.I doubt your land is as productive as Iowa land.

geo in mi · #11 10/27/13, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmboyBill

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I cant see anyone clearing a section in a few hours, or maybe days if there doing a section.

"spent about 3 weekends clearing it out of the 1 acre area it had taken a hold. I used a brush cutter and cut everything under 2" inches. Then"

FBB......FYI(Which means for your information)....But it's okay, I've misread a post or two myself.

geo