Clearing brambles | Half an acre with a brush cutter preparing land for 2000 Native Trees

[@omstygomsty]

I've cleared several sites like this over the years. One thing I've learned is you need the big machinery no point is arsing around with little tools you only end up with sore shoulders, a headache from inhaling petrol fumes and wrecked tired. A flail cutter / or a forestry mulcher attached to a bobcat/ a digger/ or a tractor is the job. And sthil strimmers / chainsaws/ hedge trimmers are quality tools.

[@OffGridBruce]

Unfortunately at that time of year I wouldn’t be able to put my tractor on that field. I have mowed it with the flail this year though

[@VK-yg8lp]

Thats amazing progress and its well worth all that effort for your up coming project. Its great timing to do all that clearing before the nesting season. Its Ok Annie, we all know you work hard as well. Looking forward to the trees, just wish I lived closer to give you a hand with it. Happy planting

[@OffGridBruce]

I still had a little guilt taking away the brambles to be completely honest but I know it will be worth it to see all those trees growing providing a lovely habitat

[@juliamarple3058]

I don’t know what you are using on your brush cutter, but I have about 20 acre to do. I use a blade with turned down ends. It is fantastic and will mulch it all down and so there is no need for raking. The brambles will grow back unless you destroy the roots.

[@OffGridBruce]

It’s an Oregon mulching blade similar to what you described. It’s a great bit of kit. I have a flail for the tractor now which I would have used in the summer if I had it. I put the pigs in to finish the job this year

[@rebeccapettifer6553]

Hi Bruce and family. Whew what a job! So glad you recognized the raspberry bushes and saved them! A good return for your hard work. They are so expensive in the US where I am from that I haven't any! LOL! My computer broke so I haven't left any comments as I haven't found a way to do that on the Smart TV I have but have been watching you all along and pushing the LIKE button on your videos at least. You are making such progress on your farm! Being in the middle of all the work you may not realize how amazing it is to all of us out here watching. Keep up the great work and thank you for the videos. Have a great week Annie, Elsie, Betsy and Bruce. Your friend from Illinois, Becky!

[@OffGridBruce]

Ah thanks very much for that. I’m actually really grateful to have the vids to look at and see what progress we have made. I’m going to do a vid on our 1 year anniversary here highlighting all of it together

[@karlroyston8453]

Bruce you do it because you love the work, hard work will bring you success, glad to see you have same good helpers

[@OffGridBruce]

That’s true. I can’t stand doing nothing :)

[@francotaffurelli129]

Tough job! Well done! I have a similar task ahead, really dreading it, 1 ha covered in reeds and brambles. I asked a neighbour with a tractor, and he said he will do it for 50€ per hour, hopefully we can get it done in under 10h. I have to go through after and pick out all the roots so they don’t come back 😓

[@OffGridBruce]

I would have done it with the tractor but the ground was too wet at that time of year. I’d say you will easily get them topped in a couple of hours. I now have pigs eating the roots saving my back :)

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Love your videos Bruce, definitely not boring! You make them so fun and fast paced, and always have something really interesting to show! Loving Annie's patchwork trousers in this video too! Hope everyone survives the storm and can't wait for the 2000 trees episode!

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

I mean obviously you'll survive the storm - I mean, with everything undamaged!

[@OffGridBruce]

Ah she’ll be delighted to hear the love for the trousers :) we have had to cancel this weekends planting due to weather but hopefully we will still get some planters through the week and finished off the following weekend

[@Jalapeno_Chorizo]

Congratulations, what a job! Raspberries seem to have a small root bundle.

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks. They seem to be everywhere. We enjoyed hunting for them in the brush last summer

[@carolfaberpeake857]

I am amazed by the massive clearance you two have done!! Good job!!

[@OffGridBruce]

It was back braking stuff

[@davidfennell5124]

2,000 trees will be a great addition to your homestead Bruce. Tough repetitive work with the bush cutter to clear the land but you all got to do what u need to make it work man 😀

[@OffGridBruce]

Going to be lovely in a few years seeing the saplings grow

[@anthonytodd3408]

Big job well done, good luck planting the trees. Tony

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks Tony

[@GrowingLittleCountryhomestead]

Your soil looks so rich. Great job on clearing the land. When all set and done you’ll be proud of your work.

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks 🙏 it’s going to be lovely to see all those trees growing

[@johnfanning477]

Well done to you all hard work all the best john

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks John

[@christinamontano11]

Wow! so much land clearing. Have you heard about the goats that clear brambles and land...so interesting...maybe for your next clearing. Happy Planting!! You are all doing an amazing job with your homestead. I really enjoy watching the progress.

[@OffGridBruce]

I have. I do want to get goats. This time it was a case of leaving it too late and needing to get it done :) thanks for the words of encouragement

[@jembo1959]

Great job Bruce but hard work and costly on fuel too, I cut down some brambles when I moved into my bungalow, but by no means anything to what you and your family just did. well done Mr and Mrs. I was saying on your channel before I planted 400 hawthorn whips as a fence, and I found the grass was a competing factor in there growth, so keep the grass back as well this will help. and it will need lots of work over the coming years just keeping the brambles cut back. Again well done great job.

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks Jimmy. I am not really looking forward to the up keep as the start Off but will be great once they are established. The grass really does try to take over. We started sitting the ponds out note and they are looking great

[@jembo1959]

@@OffGridBruce yeah its hard work and your place is massive compared to mine, I found I could do a little more in winter as trees and weeds die back, but during summer you'll have your hands full, try calling a few mates over for a few beers and when they arrive give them a spade each well worth the price of a few beers. best of luck and keep it going your flying it there.

[@arsenews3264]

I have a brush cutter you can borrow here im 25mins other side of limerick to you fits on mini tractor?

[@OffGridBruce]

Ah man thanks. I would have loved to have spoken to you before this week. Just finished brush cutting the field today! I may have more to do later in the year though so may take you up on that offer that’s for sure

[@polki1482]

They will grow back thicker and stronger now.

[@OffGridBruce]

They will but eventually the trees will win the battle of the light :)

[@polki1482]

@@OffGridBruce they will but it will take years

[@OffGridBruce]

@@polki1482 I’m prepared for that. I’d need a digger to get all that up

[@OffGridBruce]

@@polki1482 I am defo getting some goats soon though

[@polki1482]

@@OffGridBruce goats and trees dont mix they will peel the bark off of them but great to clear brush .

[@JK-gr4jr]

Well done to all that hard work! Have a great weekend. Best wishes to all your family from Slovakia.

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks 🙏 hope you have a great weekend too :)

[@magcurran100]

Great work..... well done!!

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks 🙏

[@gailrobertson9467]

Wow good going great progress !!

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks Gail 🙏

[@nonamegiven2024]

well done on finishing that huge job. Dont know if anyone has mentioned already but a mulching blade would of helped. Or ideally rent a flail mower or a bobcat

[@OffGridBruce]

I was using a mulching blade. The Oregon one. It definitely does a good job. I had a neighbour come over with his tractor, but he reckoned the ground was too soft that time of year to flail. I have goats now so any future job is up to them 😂

[@nonamegiven2024]

@@OffGridBruce my mistake . thought u were using standard 3 tooth blade. well done . take tomorrow off

[@trevorread9115]

Pigs or goats may do a good job on that patch of land keep gong guys 👍

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks Trevor. Would love a few goats once we are ready

[@robscoble1579]

That wore me out just watching 🤣 Well done though, awesome effort 👏👏 Hope you alright through the storm and good luck planting the tree's - glad you didn't plant them before it!

[@OffGridBruce]

😂 thanks. My shoulders still haven’t forgiven me yet

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

You so need a flail topper for your tractor!

[@OffGridBruce]

Tell me about it. I have one of my neighbours on the look out for one for me

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

@@OffGridBruce I’ve got a 4’ offset one that I bought brand new off eBay

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

@@OffGridBruce kzbin.infohbkLgcxFhgU?feature=share

[@madeleineowen8284]

Can't believe you took on this job with only one brush cutter, you needed an army of them. A lot of very hard work. But can I ask, surely the brambles will come back if you don't get rid of the roots???😮

[@OffGridBruce]

Since then I have put my pigs in to finish the job :)

[@lawrenceogorman6634]

love the content , enjoying the journey

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks Lawrence

[@currywolf]

'Shoulda done it this way' after the fact is potentially always an infuriating start. So... For future reference (from very recent experience also with bramble and honeysuckle brush in Donegal) the best, quickest, most effective method was a scythe. Good luck.

[@OffGridBruce]

Hey Frank. I hear you there. I recently started using a slasher and I can imagine a scythe would be a great tool to have. I also love that it’s not Smokey and I can have a conversation with the people I work with. I’d love some advice on choosing/sizing a scythe

[@currywolf]

@@OffGridBruce I cheated slightly and got a mate to bring his and 'demonstrate' it - a lot :-) He uses a wooden (Ash I think) 'Snath' or handle and a 60cm blade although this, he said, was better for grass or soft stemmed crops and smaller 45, 50 or 55cm blade do a much better job with woody stemmed brush. we (he) cleared 1/4 acre in a few hours. I raked up behind him (more to seem involved than owt). I'm looking at buying my own and there seem to be a couple of suppliers here in Ireland. Also apparently one who makes them and runs course somewhere down the country. If I find out more I'll message you.

[@OffGridBruce]

@@currywolf thanks for that. I’m keen to start a scything journey 😊

[@886jules1]

You show promising hurling skills with that scythe Bruce! Have you ever played the game? (Strong wrists help). Pity the tractor didn't work out - a lot of work but great progress too.

[@OffGridBruce]

I have briefly and I enjoyed it. Annie’s cousin plays camogie for cork too. I’ll have to see if my friend Diamuid can give me a lesson :)

[@tiarnanvanderbrun8260]

You might see it as boring, repetitive work but you're laying down the foundation for the next few years. Making land like that usable is much cheaper than buying a plot the same size, you should be very proud of your teamwork! Big progress on a valuable project. Good luck with the planting! Edit: what kinds of trees are you planting?

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks 🙏 we are planting all Irish Native trees. Blackthorn, Whitethorn, alder, oak, hazel, willow and birch. I think there’s others but I can’t remember of the top of my head

[@tiarnanvanderbrun8260]

@@OffGridBruce don't forget about yourselves in all of this, a few grafted fruit and nut trees will bring a free source of food/drink. I've been lucky enough to harvest a good crop of cherries last year and it was a welcome treat to enjoy and share. I'm also partnering up with a colleague to make cider once the first frosts arrive. Great work as always, enjoying the journey.

[@OffGridBruce]

@@tiarnanvanderbrun8260 we will definitely be planting some fruit trees. Need to finish some of my other projects so I can start some new ones 😂

[@atticbrowser9698]

Great video thanks. What style of blade did you have on your brush cutter? Cheers John

[@OffGridBruce]

It’s an Oregon mulching blade. Very good

[@kateburk2168]

Hurricanes are named once they get up to speed. I realize you probably got the job completed by now... & believe you weighed your options but...did you think of buying or renting goats? They would have made short work of the bambles & if your own would have provided milk & meat & more kids to sell down the road. Portable fencing & shelter plus a tub of water would have met their needs.

[@OffGridBruce]

I do fancy getting some goats at some point. Unfortunately I left it too late and needed a quick option. My resolution for this year needs to be to slow down

[@BeFree-BeFrugal]

Just found your channel really enjoying your progress. Is it possible to rent the tools you need, that might be cheaper if they are not regularly needed

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks, I haven’t found anywhere I can hire tractor attachments but definitely would if I could.

[@johnmurphy8319]

What do ye think of the new strimmer? Make, price and where did you get it, if you get a chance, hope you got through the storm alright 👍

[@OffGridBruce]

I got an Efco Stark. It’s pretty heavy duty. Not as expensive as a stihl but heavier on the shoulders. I used an Oregon mulching blade to and it’s great!

[@kelleywake8234]

Fantastic job, my daughter has just started strimming our field of rushes to also make way for native trees 🌳 Do you mind me asking where are you getting the 2000 trees from? We have about 12 acres here that we would love to fill with many trees to improve the land and create a nice little woodland

[@OffGridBruce]

A guy called Gearóid has an organisation called Reforest Nation and he finds people with land wanting to plant trees and finds businesses who want to offset carbon and people who want to donate to tree planting and brings the 2 together. Look him up on Instagram and drop him a message

[@EGLC02]

Hey. What brush cutter did you go for after the Screwfix one?

[@OffGridBruce]

I got an Efco stark

[@jamiemahon3504]

Amazing! What are your thoughts on sitka spruce?

[@OffGridBruce]

I like the tree but not a fan of the monoculture plantations. I prefer a mixed woodland.

[@patrickwiklund2039]

👍

[@mikedeman5351]

Just subscribed and was looking at your workshop build videos. May I ask, why did you go for a steel structure? And why so tall? Great progress on the land btw :)

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks Mike. I went for steel in this case for speed of the build and price I guess. Looking back now though I would have liked to do a natural building and just take my time. It’s that height so I can fit my van in to work on and maybe if I can afford it a 2 post lift

[@mikedeman5351]

@@OffGridBruce Nice bit of forward planning. I'm surprised such a beefy steel structure was cheaper than a timber structure. I guess the price of timber must have shot up in Ireland, it certainly has elsewhere.

[@OffGridBruce]

@@mikedeman5351 the price of timber is a bit crazy but I think it’s come down a little recently

[@catherineH4785]

How do you stop the brambles growing back next year? Keep brushcutting them? Get some goats and cage your trees?

[@OffGridBruce]

Over time the woodland will out compete them for light. Some management will be needed though until the trees become better established

[@leigh7776]

💜🧡

[@bsmyth7235]

Are the trees part of govt replanting scheme? How many acres do you have overall? Thank you.

[@OffGridBruce]

My have 8 acres. The trees were given to us by reforest nation organised by Gearóid whos mission is to reforest ireland and the world :) look him up on Instagram

[@millcitymercantile]

👍🏼👀👍🏼

[@OffGridBruce]

👍

[@marcusd2380]

U get a weed killer or bramble killed takes them out and stops them growing back. I don’t know how the trees will do with te bryiers growing back again. Hard work and in bad weather too good on you

[@OffGridBruce]

The guys who gave us the trees have said we will need to keep on top of them for a few years but eventually the trees will put compete for light and naturally suppress the briars but I guess we will see in the years to come

[@marcusd2380]

@@OffGridBruce 2k trees to weed around. Maybe plough the ground before planting. Just thinking there’s going to be a lot of work keeping the weeds down. Someone in the forestry could advise

[@OffGridBruce]

@@marcusd2380 that fields having 1000 in it the rest is nicer land to deal with but hear what you are saying. I’ll ask my neighbour who planted up on of his fields

[@66bigbuds]

When we say brambles, we mean wild raspberries.

[@OffGridBruce]

What do you call raspberries? :)

[@66bigbuds]

@@OffGridBruce red raspberries, black raspberries, or just brambles. We don't have any other type of brambles. (Thick thorny bushes) except some multi-flora rose. We have millions of acres of wild raspberries here in Michigan. They will grow up anywhere we don't keep it mowed.

[@catherineH4785]

@@66bigbuds In Australia we just call these blackberries, not brambles. If you lucky you can still pick them from the side of the road if you know the authorities have not sprayed them. Much better to plant ONE thornless blackberry in the garden.

[@cherylhebbs950]

A couple of goats could eat that to control it.

[@OffGridBruce]

We have a couple of goats on the way :)

[@sheelaghomalley5459]

I hope you are wearing a mask. Bracken when its brown in a carcinogen. Take care of yourself

[@OffGridBruce]

God I had no idea of that!

[@beckyparks2945]

THAT NOT HEAVY DUTY YOU

[@OffGridBruce]

😂 thanks

[@andrewcampbell7476]

Austrian sythe with a bramble blade is the tool for this job

[@OffGridBruce]

Would have definitely been quieter

[@andrewcampbell7476]

Hey Bruce I am clearing half acre of brambles now my brother loaned me his brushcutter but I have an Austrian sythe with a bramble blade The Austrian sythe was the best I used a garden fork to flatten the brambles the the Austrian sythe cut them no problem I enjoyed doing the job This garden has not been maintained for about 40 years No messing with petrol and noise Garden shears where also used aswell