Remove Himalayan blackberry more efficiently than Washington Conservation Corps

WCC (Washington Conservation Corps).

[@Chrissers2010]

I've removed numerous acres of blackberries. Use a brush hog on a tractor in open areas. In areas not accessible with a mower, use a mulching blade on a trimmer or a "clearing saw". See Golovin Property Services videos on KZbin. It is insane the speed he mulches blackberries using a trimmer. Spray actively growing foliage in SEPTEMBER with 1 ounces of Cimmaron Plus and 1 ounce of Induce surfactant to 10 gallons of water. This is a very slow acting herbicide, but extremely effective. Spray when there is very little wind and do not get this spray on conifers as it will kill them. Used for control of blackberries in forestry here in SW Oregon.

[@pscoolguy]

I recently cleared a lot thick with Himalaya Blackberry bushes. I was at it for 9 hours straight using a method of grabbing the stalk, folding it over in 2 to 3 foot lengths and while holding the bundle with my left hand, I cut the base off with a single handheld pruner in my right hand. Once I got my rhythm going it went by pretty quickly. I was working alone but cleared a 0.2 acre lot in 9 hours of nonstop working.

[@FareAlert]

Sickle is a good tool. Heard many legends of elderly parents ably to clear entire back yards in an afternoon with them.

[@JohnMoore-qv4vn]

Thank you!!! All excellent, valid tips and techniques. Your eyes are open and your feet are in the soil.

[@juliatodhunter6454]

This is how I got rid of my blackberries, although I did use branch pruners. I have a sickle - should’ve tried using that! My theory was/is that a plant can’t flourish without photosynthesis, so by keeping them cut back, they recede and eventually 98% gone, maybe better.

[@growingwithfungi]

Similar here! Ty for the tip! 🙏🌱

[@BrandonTran]

Nicely done thanks for the tips!

[@irenedijkhuizen2956]

Bramen beschermen jonge bomen tegen vraat en zijn ecologisch zeer belangrijk voor de vorming van bos

[@SnuSnuDungeon]

Had these bushes on the side of my house until a pipe clogged on the block and the city had to dig up most of my yard to fix it. Its been a few years and now the bushes are coming back. I'm going to try your method as chemicals have not done anything

[@workshopvillage]

Yea, the only thing chemicals do is degrade the soil, making the soil conditions perfect for Blackberry to grow instead native plants.

[@anime3536]

Did you put that plastic pot in the ground with your plant?

[@workshopvillage]

No. I only leave it in the plastic pot to fill dirt around it. Then I remove the tree from the pot.

[@alphacentauri2506]

Goats!

[@workshopvillage]

Do you clear black berry areas with your goats?

[@alphacentauri2506]

@@workshopvillage yes ! Briar goats will eat them and any thorny brush. You can check your locale some places will rent them for this specific reason if you don't own one.

[@workshopvillage]

@@alphacentauri2506 Great info! Thanks for sharing.

[@scottgray6276]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!

[@jasoncobb462]

What kind of cover crop would you suggest in western Washington?

[@workshopvillage]

A great question, and I don't have a successful answer. I have tried red clover and buckwheat with mixed results. I think I bought them at Coastal Farm & Ranch store. At the moment I just let weeds that are easy to mow beat out the black berry. I will also replant the area Salmon berry and Oregon grape because they are forest edge plants like black berries.

[@rontopp]

What brand of gloves are you using?

[@workshopvillage]

trackman kevlar gloves. Any brand of kevlar gloves would work.

[@bizfrizofroz]

Electric pole saw?

[@scottgray6276]

The canes aren’t very sturdy/steady…they’ll vibrate with the saw, and be less likely to be cut off! I use my electric hedge trimmer, but it’s heavy and unwieldy…and I came close to cutting off a finger!