Best way to pull up cedar??

[Ruark]

Here in central Texas, cedar is spreading like a plague. Ask anybody who lives around here. I'm talking about that bush-type cedar that branches out into a dozen trunks a couple of inches off the ground, and gets up to the size of a house. It's horrible stuff, spreading like wildfire and sucking every molecule of moisture from the ground. I have two major enemies in life: fire ants and cedar.

Anyway, I have some that are smallish, and can probably be pulled out with my tractor. It's a Mahindra 4025. 41HP. The FEL lifts 2800-3000 lbs. Not sure about the 3-point, but at least that much. Question: what is the best way to use a tractor to pull up cedar:

1. Connect one end of the chain to the tow bar, the other end to the cedar, and pull it.
2. Wrap the chain around the FEL bucket, and the other around the cedar's base, and pull it upwards with the FEL.
3. Same as #2, but use the 3-point instead of the FEL.

-Thanks

 

[_RaT_]

I can't really relate to this bush you call a cedar but I have always had the best luck pulling with a cable or chain from the rear end of my tractors and with the plant in wet ground. I do use the loader as well but just be aware that it can present hazards that if you are not aware of can be hazardous to your health and the tractor.

Here in central Texas, cedar is spreading like a plague. Ask anybody who lives around here. I'm talking about that bush-type cedar that branches out into a dozen trunks a couple of inches off the ground, and gets up to the size of a house. It's horrible stuff, spreading like wildfire and sucking every molecule of moisture from the ground. I have two major enemies in life: fire ants and cedar.

Anyway, I have some that are smallish, and can probably be pulled out with my tractor. It's a Mahindra 4025. 41HP. The FEL lifts 2800-3000 lbs. Not sure about the 3-point, but at least that much. Question: what is the best way to use a tractor to pull up cedar:

1. Connect one end of the chain to the tow bar, the other end to the cedar, and pull it.
2. Wrap the chain around the FEL bucket, and the other around the cedar's base, and pull it upwards with the FEL.
3. Same as #2, but use the 3-point instead of the FEL.

-Thanks

 

[kebo]

What kind of root structure do these "cedars" have? Never seen cedars that would have a dozen trees growing out of the same stump. Around here, two is somewhat common but three or more is just not that common. Got any pic's of them, just out of curiosity? As with most trees/bushes, the quicker you get to them the better. As they grow, the roots usually spread out wider and deeper.


If the root structure is not real extensive, then they shouldn't be too hard to hook a chain to one and do a straight pull from the drawbar. I think trial and error will tell you which way is the most effective so I would just try all three ways and see which works best for you.

 

[SandburRanch]

Cut them off about a foot above the ground. Using a quarter inch grade 70 chain, drop a clove hitch over the stump and pull it using the (as suggested) drawbar. Your bucket would work well to make brush piles to burn when dry if you had some forks.

 

[blueriver]

We pulled about 35 today with 43 hp from the drawbar. The biggest was about 8" diameter ... I hook about 16" up the trunk and pull forward ... they come out pretty easy.

 

[beenthere]

I'd use my forks to pop the upper roots off, then pop the stump out with the forks. Works the best for my 30' tall spruce trees that I am removing.

But give a few things a try that are at your disposal. Only warning I'd offer is to not hook a chain to them and get a run at it trying to jerk them out. That is where things get busted and start flying around. Worst scenario is it is your head, second is a casting in the tractor breaks.

 

[Ruark]

What kind of root structure do these "cedars" have? Never seen cedars that would have a dozen trees growing out of the same stump. Around here, two is somewhat common but three or more is just not that common. Got any pic's of them, just out of curiosity?

Talking about this stuff here:

Cedar trees native pasture hunting land | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Williamson-Branson Real Estate - 426+/- Acres in Stonewall County, TX

Sounds like pulling it with the draw bar is the way to go. I'll carefully give it a shot.

 

[Yota_85]

I use one of these attached to a chain.

Amazon.com: BAC Industries BG-01 Original Brush Grubber: Patio, Lawn & Garden

For smaller stumps 1-3" I attach the chain to my bucket hooks and pull up. Can remove a 1/2 dozen before moving the tractor.
For larger stumps 2-4" I attach to the drawbar and pull 'em out.

They also make a HD one for larger stumps:
Amazon.com: BAC Industries BG-11 Brush Grubber Xtreme: Patio, Lawn & Garden


The small one has always worked well for me on small pine/hemlock/spuce/birches.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Looks more like Juniper or arbor vitae. My neighbor seems to have success with sawing them off close to the ground and putting a few holes in the stump then dumping a bit of diesel on them which he claims kills the stump.

Another thought is if you can clear fire lines around patches and have a controlled burn?

 

[zene55]

I have a chain I used called a Grubber. It grabs the victim really well and my tractor yanks them out.