Tools for pulling out invasive trees/brush

[swedishsteel]

I have been looking at tools for manually pulling out undesirable brush like poison ivy, honeysuckle and small trees. Pullerbear and Weedwrench are two such products, though I believe Weedwrench is no longer in production.

Does anyone have experience with either of these products?

Does anyone have an alternative product that they would recommend? I need to clean up three acres that has some deep ravines and wet creek side areas. I am looking for a mechanical device that can be operated manually for pulling small trees, vines and brush with a trunk diameter of up to about 2 inches.

Thanks,
SS

[Bearfootfarm]

I am looking for a mechanical device that can be operated manually for pulling small trees, vines and brush with a trunk diameter of up to about 2 inches.

I doubt you're going to find anything strictly manual that will do the job.

A logging chain and a truck or tractor will work on most trees, depending on the species

Some have long tap roots that make pulling harder.

For places a vehicle can't reach you could try a winch with a block and tackle

I think you're going to find it will be better to cut them off at or below ground level rather than attempting to pull them

[JoePa]

I been trying to get rid of autumn olive bushes for awhile now - what I do is cut them down to ground level with a chain saw or pole saw if you have one and then take a sharpened pick and dig out most of the root - boy do these bushes spread - the birds eat the berries and spread them all over the place - I have made some progress but have a way to go yet -

[MO_cows]

Cut them off at ground level and apply some Tordon to the cut surface.

[Harry Chickpea]

Agree with the cut 'n Tordon idea. Pulling brush on a steep slope will encourage erosion. Leaving the roots in place is less harmful and easier.

[mnn2501]

We had a bunch of bushes up against our house and of course being in Texas had to have the house leveled.
The company doing the leveling told us to run a soaker hose for 3 days and they would pull them - after 3 days of watering they came out by hand with a couple needing some slight shovel assistance.

I've used that process on other brush since -- works good.

[AmericanStand]

A fence post puller. ?

[Shrek]

For the mean brush I use my brush axe, which some folks incorrectly call a sling blade but they don't even know how good fried taters are

[Darren]

I have a set of forks for my loader. I can bust up an autumn olive. Then pulling parts of it off instead of the whole thing at once works well.

[Nimrod]

Originally Posted by mnn2501

We had a bunch of bushes up against our house and of course being in Texas had to have the house leveled.
The company doing the leveling told us to run a soaker hose for 3 days and they would pull them - after 3 days of watering they came out by hand with a couple needing some slight shovel assistance.

I've used that process on other brush since -- works good.

Are you insinuating that all of Texas is half a bubble off the plumb?

[Harry Chickpea]

I'm more interested in the "needing some slight shovel assistance." Sounds like SSS is common in Texas to me...

[michael ark]

Handyman jack and a chain is what i use.

[JoePa]

I'd be careful about using Tordon - this stuff is real toxic and if you have a well it could get into the water - also will kill any other plant that is close to where you use it -

[Vikestand]

Originally Posted by JoePa

I'd be careful about using Tordon - this stuff is real toxic and if you have a well it could get into the water - also will kill any other plant that is close to where you use it -

while it is toxic to point, I think your worries are extreme.

Heck biologist with the MDC recommend the use on our invasive honey locust here in MO.

[Harry Chickpea]

JoePa, yep. It is a sad commentary that people have to be warned these days about using products according to directions, but unfortunately I can't fault you for warning against the obvious.

(I always get a kick out of our local weather-nannies when they get on the tv when there is wind, telling people to put on football helmets and go to their happy place...

... or is that bathtub?


Whatever.

[Tricky Grama]

We've used a DR mower for this kind of stuff...takes a couple mowings b/4 it dies.

[COWS]

Tractors can be used, with care, to pull very small trees, if the tractor is fairly large. Trucks, even large 4 wd ones, are not suitable. The truck is too valuable to tear up on a job it's not suited for.

COWS

[blanket]

root bucket on a skidsteer and Tordon used in moderation