Nandina (invasive) Puller?

bevhoward · Sep 22, 2020

Outside of Austin Texas, we have a major infestation of Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo)
This invasive is so bad that cutting it off at ground level is only short term help.

Using a manual "Weed Wrench" that extracts at least some root works better but that is very labor intensive.

I have also tried "pullers" such as these but the nandina stems are so slick that the chain simply slides off and the stems are too small for the clamp pads to get a purchase.

The "waffel grid" on the weed wrench is wide enough and flat so it can grip several stems at once and pull the root that they are all attached to.

So, the question is does anyone have any suggestions for something that attaches to either the 3 point or bucket that can get a purchase on the nandina such as the pads on the Weed Wrench?

I have found some 3 point hydraulic clamp pads, but they are out of my price range.

I'm thinking about trying to modify the Weed Wrench to mount it on the bucket, but hoping that someone has already designed something better.

Also, does anyone have a suggestion for how to use the above chain puller to increase it's grip on the stems?

Thanks in advance,
Beverly Howard

kenmbz · Sep 22, 2020

We had regular bamboo here, cut it down, sprayed it heavy, next year or two just went back with toothbar on fel and ripped out the last living roots.
They should never have allowed bamboo sales. Sometimes in the winter here the bamboo gets full of snow and blocks the roads. Mine was in backyard from Previous Owner.

Hiptfarms · Sep 22, 2020

I have nandina here too but for us, the two types of invasive privet is far worse. We just used the last tool you pictured this past weekend and were very pleased with it. We were able to pull out multiple down right trees of privet that were 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Also worked pretty well on some trees of heaven but the bark does tend to come off in sheets somits hard to get a good grip. We pulled from the rear of the tractor though, not the bucket.

If you have the shrub chain type setup, have you tried wrapping it around the nandina several times to get more grip? We had large nandina that someone intentionally planted in front of our house before we bought it. I pulled those out using a regular logging chain that I wrapped around the stems. I tried to wrap it maybe four times with one of those times crossing over the other wraps. It worked for me. It helps a lot if it has recently rained a good amount. We took advantage of the 4 inches that the last hurricane dumped on us to get those privets pulled out.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

i7win7 · Sep 22, 2020

Amazon.com: Brush Grubber BG-1 Post/Tree Puller: Home Improvement

Junk in my opinion - a cheap hydraulic unit not much more if you have 3rd function on FEL

Amazon.com: Titan Attachments Heavy-Duty Post and Tree Puller for Skid Steers, Universal Landscape Tool: Home Improvement

oosik · Sep 22, 2020

What about something like a Piranha tooth bar on the bucket. Then a ratchet nylon strap to go around behind and tighten on the bamboo that has been trapped in the tooth bar. Has the tractor got sufficient "lift" with the FEL to do this.

shooterdon · Sep 22, 2020

Can you burn it? Then hit it with Round Up every three weeks until it dies. Rototill between applications of Round Up.

bevhoward · Sep 22, 2020

Thanks for all of the responses.

This is the type we are trying to address;

As the image shows, the individual stems are too small for the grip pad on the brush grubber to effectively grab.

The "skinned" section near the roots is where the weed wrench was able to grab multiple stems at once and you can see that the horizontal root structure adds to the force needed to extract at least most of the plant.

fwiw, I have tried wrapping the chain grabber multiple times without success... when it's tightened, the slippery surface causes the chain to slide up the stems. That said, I took another look at the chain after your post and I may try another way to wrap that might put more force in the grip.

"Post Rain" is a good reminder.

One of the nice things about forums is that simply the act of posting a problem forces the poster to think about possible solutions and that has happened this morning... I think I have a design to modify the pads on the brush grubber... will take a couple of days to scrounge parts, then cut and weld... will post in a week or so.

>> a cheap hydraulic unit not much more if you have 3rd function on FEL <<

Yikes... my pockets are not that deep ;-) ...and, assuming "3rd function on FEL" means hydraulic, more $$$ ...plus, my bucket (LS 20hp) is fixed. Here's hoping the little grey cells' suggestion works.

Thanks again,
Beverly Howard

bevhoward · Sep 22, 2020

FWIW, fire and poisons (especially roundup) are not options...

I'm still recovering from stage 3 cancer and it would not surprise me if roundup was a factor despite being extremely careful when I used it.

...and just over a month ago we had fires on all sides of us and were packing up for a repeat of the 2011 Bastrop fires when we finally got rain.

Thanks again,
Beverly

strantor · Sep 22, 2020

I've pulled saplings with a t-post puller chained on the FEL, might work for your bamboo.

This kind:
SpeeCo Metal T - Post Puller - PSPL2 | Blain's Farm & Fleet

smeash · Sep 22, 2020

Dont suppose you have a backhoe on your machine? I use my BH and a 6' trenching bucket to keep my clumping bamboo under control. It would definitley dig the plant you posted out easily.

two_bit_score · Sep 23, 2020

bevhoward said:
Outside of Austin Texas, we have a major infestation of Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo)
This invasive is so bad that cutting it off at ground level is only short term help.

Using a manual "Weed Wrench" that extracts at least some root works better but that is very labor intensive.

View attachment 670530

I have also tried "pullers" such as these but the nandina stems are so slick that the chain simply slides off and the stems are too small for the clamp pads to get a purchase.

The "waffel grid" on the weed wrench is wide enough and flat so it can grip several stems at once and pull the root that they are all attached to.

View attachment 670531
View attachment 670532

So, the question is does anyone have any suggestions for something that attaches to either the 3 point or bucket that can get a purchase on the nandina such as the pads on the Weed Wrench?

I have found some 3 point hydraulic clamp pads, but they are out of my price range.

I'm thinking about trying to modify the Weed Wrench to mount it on the bucket, but hoping that someone has already designed something better.

Also, does anyone have a suggestion for how to use the above chain puller to increase it's grip on the stems?

Thanks in advance,
Beverly Howard

After reading just your post I have a suggestion for you.

Put all those chains and stuff up.

Get some 2, 4D. Highest strength you can buy at TSC or Callahans. Cut the Nandina off at ground level. I know it grows in clumps. Immediately after you cut a clump use a foam brush or a chip brush and paint the 2,4D full strength on the stumps.

Repeat until you have it all cut and well painted with the 2,4D.

After by spring the below ground stumps and roots will probably be rotted enough you can easily dig them up or just leave them. If any regrowth occurs just repeat the process but you will probably experience very little RE growth.

TBS

two_bit_score · Sep 23, 2020

bevhoward said:
FWIW, fire and poisons (especially roundup) are not options...

I'm still recovering from stage 3 cancer and it would not surprise me if roundup was a factor despite being extremely careful when I used it.

...and just over a month ago we had fires on all sides of us and were packing up for a repeat of the 2011 Bastrop fires when we finally got rain.

Thanks again,
Beverly

I thought you might have an objection to using herbicides. You will have a very difficult time getting ALL the roots out by pulling them up. If you leave ANY below ground they will come back. Maybe you can get someone who is comfortable handling the 2,4D and will paint the stumps for you.

Not sure how big an area is covered by the nandina but if you could cut it and stack it up away from the area and then go inside while your helper does the painting that might be a safe way to do it .

As a last resort if you are absolutely not going to use a herbicide you could try a strong saltwater solution to soak the cut stumps. Mix a little dish soap with it to act as a surfactant.

Good luck!

Wyobuckaroo · Sep 23, 2020

If you can wrap the choker chain, dog collar type puller twice around the brush clump it will hold better..

Cutting it off and painting the stub ends with a product like Tordon or Round Up half with water should kill the root system.

bevhoward · Sep 23, 2020

Wonderful suggestions... all of them.

IMHO, well structured and well run peer to peer forums are the best things to come out of the internet, and tractorbynet is one of the best... thanks to everyone.

How bad is it? We've got just under 2.7 acres and this is a small sampling... primarily in places where the bushhog can't get to.

The backhoe (doh!) is a great suggestion and I will revisit the poison options.

>> your helper <<

She's in the picture above and her feelings on the subject are stronger than mine ;-)

Thanks for everyone's suggestions... time to work and I will report back.

Thanks again,
Beverly

todd92 · Sep 23, 2020

Any invasive plant that spreads via rhizomes (Canadian Thistle and Chinese Sumac on my property) can never be eradicated by pulling, tilling or selective herbicides like 2,4D. Nothing will work other than Glyphosate. Cutting and painting the exposed trunk will have limited success promoting uptake into the root system. Best to spray all of the leaves while the plant is actively growing so the plant can move the Glyphosate into the roots. If you don't completely kill the roots, it will come back relentlessly.

bevhoward · Sep 23, 2020

>> Best to spray all of the leaves while the plant is actively growing so the plant can move the Glyphosate into the roots. If you don't completely kill the roots, it will come back relentlessly. <<

Again, excellent information... just looked up Glyphosate and will pursue that path.

Experience with nandina has shown that spraying leaves with a herbicide is not effective as it is with most plants but, perhaps applying it to freshly cut stems will be an option.

Thanks,
Beverly

todd92 · Sep 23, 2020

Just so you know, Glyphosate is the generic name for Roundup, which you have expressed concerns about. I use it, but only with a hand sprayer on calm days and I'm careful handling it. But I'm also careful handling the fungicides and insecticides I need to use in the 3pt sprayer for my orchards. Used properly, they are safe.

Mat4644 · Sep 23, 2020

We just keep it mowed short and eventually it runs out of reserves and gets choked out with grass. Usually in one full growing season.

fried1765 · Sep 23, 2020

smeash said:
Dont suppose you have a backhoe on your machine? I use my BH and a 6' trenching bucket to keep my clumping bamboo under control. It would definitley dig the plant you posted out easily.

A 6 ft. trenching bucket?