Minimal Clearing

[AndyJ]

We have property in the northern part of TR and are headed out there the first of the month to work on some improvements.  One thing I need to do is clear some creosote bushes to make an area large enough for parking/camping.  Any one have any good ideas or tools?  I really do NOT want to resort to a bull dozer or tractor/blade to get this done. 

Thanks!

[Hoodoo]

We have property in the northern part of TR and are headed out there the first of the month to work on some improvements.  One thing I need to do is clear some creosote bushes to make an area large enough for parking/camping.  Any one have any good ideas or tools?  I really do NOT want to resort to a bull dozer or tractor/blade to get this done. 

Thanks!

Minimal being the operative word here, you might start with a pair of bypass loppers and then depending on the soil, finish any exposed roots with a hoe or pick axe.

Better you than me, good luck. 

Don

[fartymarty]

I second Hoodoo's recommendation, and I suggest you bring a sawzall with pruning blades and a power source (generator, car battery inverter). that should handle anything the loppers can't tackle. Lots of leather gloves for alll the helpers you'll be bringing along. A couple of those pop-up shade awnings would be handy as well. Clear everything in the shade, move shade, repeat.
I suppose if I suggested that you postpone this until October - November you'd .....oh nevermind. 

[Al]

If you have a gasoline "weed wacker" I have had good luck removing brush with one of these.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120747449794+&clk_rvr_id=249650492588&item=120747449794

It is essentially a chainsaw blade wrapped around a metal disk.  It saves the back and is easy to resharpen in the field with a round file.  Resharpening is usually necessary since it is being used right at ground level and will hit the soil more often than not.

Al

[AndyJ]

Are the root systems on the creosote too extensive to pull out of the ground with a 4X4?

[Casa Grande]

Are the root systems on the creosote too extensive to pull out of the ground with a 4X4?

Creosote bushes are connected by a network of roots.  Depending on how extensive the root system is, it may be impossible to remove it all.  I read once there is a creosote system in Southern California that has been linked together over a 2400 square mile area, making it the oldest and largest living organism in the world.  Can't remember where I read that.....

[iCe]

Casa Grande beat me to it... Isn't it amazing what a plant will do to survive?

2,400 square miles... that's a big ole dude (or dudette)

[Geezer]

It makes me suspicious that he can't remember where he read that.

Geezer

[Casa Grande]

No deception here sir.  I can't find the link to the place about the area, but here is the link to King Clone, one of the oldest living organisms.  But King Clone only measures about 3000 sq ft.

It's been awhile since I read up on my creosote, about 5 or 6 years, so no, I can't really remember the web address.

Andy- Here's a link that may help you out: http://www.ehow.com/way_5819584_creosote-bush-removal.html

[AndyJ]

Thanks for all the info.  I was just about to pull the trigger on one of those brush removal grabber gizmos.  Looks like that would have been a waste of hard earned dollars.

I am not against creosote at all... I like the way it smells after a rain and we have a good variety of plants on the 20 acres.  I just need to clear an access to the property and set up electricity and septic for 2 RVs for now.

[Geezer]

No deception suspected, Casa Grande. It's just that I clearly remember reading a few years ago that the largest living organism is an underground fungus in Minnesota. Can't remember exactly where I read it though. Or maybe it was Wisconsin. Really, I would be happy if the creosote was the largest living organism.

This reminds me though, that if I had a good USPS address I would send a check for maintenance of this site, as it is one of the chief joys of my day. What about sending me your snail mail?

Geezer

[Al]

I would cut it down to ground level and then go from there.  It will grow back slowly, will be much smaller and much easier to cut on your next visit. 

2,4,5-T would be pretty effective but is long gone for good reason. 

http://jornada.nmsu.edu/node/2438

You might try cutting down and then spraying the stump/roots with diesel. Should slow down the regrowth.

Al

[Geezer]

Aarrg!

Geezer

p.s. Still no snail mail address!

[Al]

Aarrg!

Geezer

p.s. Still no snail mail address!

Geezer, try a private message.  "My Messages" etc. on the top menu.

Al

[Ay Chihuahua!]

I'll second Al's recommendation.  I use a Stihl brush cutter on 5 acres in Wimberley to control the cedar and grass.  It works great.  It'll grow back, but that's what periodic maintenance is for.

Al's recommendation on swabbing the cut vegetation with diesel is tempting, but you might want to talk to the folks at your local Ag Extension.

http://www.stihlusa.com/trimmers/brush-clear.html

http://www.stihlusa.com/trimmers/blades.html