Friends, I'm trying to do the most research possible on ridding my property of huisache and mesquite. I'm sure there are some folks on this great forum that have had their share of battles with the above mentioned and I'm reaching out to you for helpful tips. I was thinking of spraying with glyphosate (adding soap or diesel) and considering chipping them up afterwards. I could just hire a dozer to push them over but then I worry about them re-seeding if I chip them green. This particular property is 100 acres, any suggestions?
Clearing Huisache and Mesquite
- Thread starter CTW
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wushaw
Elite Member
Bulldozer is the prefered method. Yes you will be fighting new growth for several years since there are lots of dormant seeds just waiting for the right opportunity to show up and that is where you can use a sprayer to keep them in check.
If you do use a bulldozer the Mesquite thorns will be around for years waiting for nice soft tires if you don't remove them also.
The glyphosate will work on the small stuff but will take forever or not at all on the big stuff and you still have the tree/thorns to still deal with.
There is some stuff that TSC sells that is very costly that does work on med size Mesquite but a bulldozer is the cheapest fastest method by far.
If you do use a bulldozer the Mesquite thorns will be around for years waiting for nice soft tires if you don't remove them also.
The glyphosate will work on the small stuff but will take forever or not at all on the big stuff and you still have the tree/thorns to still deal with.
There is some stuff that TSC sells that is very costly that does work on med size Mesquite but a bulldozer is the cheapest fastest method by far.
Bird
Rest in Peace
Unfortunately, I doubt that you'll get a more cheerful answer than you got from wushaw. Fighting mesquite is a nearly unending job.
texasjohn
Super Member
Those are the two most pernicious brush types to remove/control/eradicate that there is. See your County Agent... get his recommendation... much depends on how fast you need relief, how much you wish to spend, how dense the infestation is, how large the plants are, etc...
I can't tell where you are, but I suspect somewhere in south Texas...
Learn about Reclaim.... this works . I've almost completely eradicated an infestation of 3 to 18 ft high mesquite on 200plus acres... took years to do and I still have beans sprouting... you will too...
If you use mechanical control.. unless you PULL all the roots, they will come back from the roots.
If you have larger mesquite, you can use it for BBQ and recover some of the removal expense. If you have VERY large mesquite... 2 feet in radius or larger, it is furniture grade and people will PAY a lot to harvest it.
Suggest you do a detailed google type search " mesquite brush removal texas" . Texas A&M has some good articles/info on the net about demonstration projects.
The beans continue to sprout as long as 15 years...so, be prepared for an annual battle.
I can't tell where you are, but I suspect somewhere in south Texas...
Learn about Reclaim.... this works . I've almost completely eradicated an infestation of 3 to 18 ft high mesquite on 200plus acres... took years to do and I still have beans sprouting... you will too...
If you use mechanical control.. unless you PULL all the roots, they will come back from the roots.
If you have larger mesquite, you can use it for BBQ and recover some of the removal expense. If you have VERY large mesquite... 2 feet in radius or larger, it is furniture grade and people will PAY a lot to harvest it.
Suggest you do a detailed google type search " mesquite brush removal texas" . Texas A&M has some good articles/info on the net about demonstration projects.
The beans continue to sprout as long as 15 years...so, be prepared for an annual battle.
ronjhall
Super Star Member
I probably not going to be much help. I met a fellow from Nixon, TX. last February. He makes all kinds of items out of Mesquite. Nice wood to make kitchen and BBQ tools out of. Do not think he needs any for his projects. he claims that his property is loaded with the stuff.
jinman
Rest in Peace
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ronjhall said:I probably not going to be much help. I met a fellow from Nixon, TX. last February. He makes all kinds of items out of Mesquite. Nice wood to make kitchen and BBQ tools out of. Do not think he needs any for his projects. he claims that his property is loaded with the stuff.
So, Ron, are you saying the guy is eliminating Mesquite one toothpick holder at a time?
ronjhall
Super Star Member
Yep.jinman said:So, Ron, are you saying the guy is eliminating Mesquite one toothpick holder at a time?
Don't forget the steak turners and ice picks. He was buring it in his BBQ also. Sure is a nice smell.
Kyle_in_Tex
Super Star Member
There are 2 ways to attack it. Chemical and mechanical. Recommend using both.
The fastest and probably best way is to have a large dozer (D7 on up) root plow it. A root plow is a horizontal steel bar that will be pulled about a foot underground. It totally disrupts the tree's root system and then they can be pushed into big piles for burning.
The Reclaim method is slow. If I remember, you mix a qt of reclaim with 3qts of diesel and spray a bit at the base where the branches come off of the root crown. The problem with this is thorns. I've been told you can saw the stuff off at ground level and then apply the reclaim. Reclaim cost about $100 per gallon when I bought it 4 years ago.
The fastest and probably best way is to have a large dozer (D7 on up) root plow it. A root plow is a horizontal steel bar that will be pulled about a foot underground. It totally disrupts the tree's root system and then they can be pushed into big piles for burning.
The Reclaim method is slow. If I remember, you mix a qt of reclaim with 3qts of diesel and spray a bit at the base where the branches come off of the root crown. The problem with this is thorns. I've been told you can saw the stuff off at ground level and then apply the reclaim. Reclaim cost about $100 per gallon when I bought it 4 years ago.
Western
Super Member
I agree with the "grubing" idea, thats what we did.
A 6 way blade on a dozer got most of it and made great burn piles. After he grubed, he smoothed out the spots and I stayed on top of the regrowth, which was mush less then I anticipated.
I suppose I could have treated the regrowth with chemicals but I just shredded the pasture several times in conjuction with controlled burning and grazing.
I've seen the pastures around west Texas that have used aerial spray and alway wondered how they would deal with all those dry, hard thorns.
A 6 way blade on a dozer got most of it and made great burn piles. After he grubed, he smoothed out the spots and I stayed on top of the regrowth, which was mush less then I anticipated.
I suppose I could have treated the regrowth with chemicals but I just shredded the pasture several times in conjuction with controlled burning and grazing.
I've seen the pastures around west Texas that have used aerial spray and alway wondered how they would deal with all those dry, hard thorns.
Thanks for all of the great replies guys. I grew up around this stuff and I guess I forgot how determined these two types could be when it comes time for removal. I could remember as a kid that we never really had this sort of problem but now it seems to be everywhere. I believe root plowing seems to be an atractive route to go, seeing as how the State will help pay for a substantial amount of it. There is a program folks around here have been talking about, not sure what it's called but when I find out I'll be sure and post it. Texas John, I'm located in the metropolis of Berclair.
texasjohn
Super Member
CTW, I know right where you are I've got relatives in both the Corpus and Victoria area.
As you doubtless know, people have been root plowing and chaining and bulldozing mesquite down there since the late 50's... if it was easy, the thickets would have been removed by now.
Your county agent will be your best source of info.... and, even if you do go the mechanical approach, be prepared to continue the fight for at least another 5 years... plan for it now... this is not a one time thing....No technique will be 100%.. and that is your aim...100% removal..else infestation will reoccur... just drive around...notice the various heights of the mesquite in your neighbor's pastures... then ask them how long it has been since they sought to controll mesquite. Moral...it comes back ifyou don't follow up aggressively for numerous years. Also, what is your pear situation? Typically, mechanical removal of mesquite tears up lots of pear and allows it to spread really fast... causing another pernicious problem.
There are various solutions/mixes for reclaim... I have had good success with a mix that includes small amounts of reclaim, some diesel, surficant, and water...I mixed it in a 300 gallon tank... with 5 gallons of diesel as I recall. timing is significant....as I recall, best is about 70 days after bud break when the leaves are recharging the roots. The chemical moves fromthe leaves directly to the supporting root system and kills it.
Yes, reclaim is expensive....but it is amazingly specific to mesquite.... I sprayed a mesquite bush intertwined with a small oak tree and there was a native vine also in the mix. The mesquite died andthe vine and oak didn't even lose one leaf. You spray exactly the offending tree.
Remedy is another herbicide that I have had very good luck with... it is a basal spray for small plants.
One significant point is that if you spray plants while they are small, then the cost of control is reduced. Let them grow, and your removal cost grows even faster.
PM me if you want further details, etc.
I've got relatives in both the Corpus and Victoria area. As you doubtless know, people have been root plowing and chaining and bulldozing mesquite down there since the late 50's... if it was easy, the thickets would have been removed by now.
Your county agent will be your best source of info.... and, even if you do go the mechanical approach, be prepared to continue the fight for at least another 5 years... plan for it now... this is not a one time thing....No technique will be 100%.. and that is your aim...100% removal..else infestation will reoccur... just drive around...notice the various heights of the mesquite in your neighbor's pastures... then ask them how long it has been since they sought to controll mesquite. Moral...it comes back ifyou don't follow up aggressively for numerous years. Also, what is your pear situation? Typically, mechanical removal of mesquite tears up lots of pear and allows it to spread really fast... causing another pernicious problem.
There are various solutions/mixes for reclaim... I have had good success with a mix that includes small amounts of reclaim, some diesel, surficant, and water...I mixed it in a 300 gallon tank... with 5 gallons of diesel as I recall. timing is significant....as I recall, best is about 70 days after bud break when the leaves are recharging the roots. The chemical moves fromthe leaves directly to the supporting root system and kills it.
Yes, reclaim is expensive....but it is amazingly specific to mesquite.... I sprayed a mesquite bush intertwined with a small oak tree and there was a native vine also in the mix. The mesquite died andthe vine and oak didn't even lose one leaf. You spray exactly the offending tree.
Remedy is another herbicide that I have had very good luck with... it is a basal spray for small plants.
One significant point is that if you spray plants while they are small, then the cost of control is reduced. Let them grow, and your removal cost grows even faster.
PM me if you want further details, etc.
wushaw
Elite Member
The nut or the section just below ground level is the portion of the Mesquite needs to be removed to kill the tree. The roots themselves just die off.
I have dug up so many mesquite stumps I have taken notice as to what happens if you don't get that nut section of the tree.
Honey Locus roots will provide minimun of two years of new plant growth if not kept in check with herbicide.
I feel for you if you have prickley pear to deal with also. Whatever you do.....Don't mow it. It will spread like the pleague.
Prickley pear has to be removed mechanically root and all or expensive Liscense only herbicide applied.
I have dug up so many mesquite stumps I have taken notice as to what happens if you don't get that nut section of the tree.
Honey Locus roots will provide minimun of two years of new plant growth if not kept in check with herbicide.
I feel for you if you have prickley pear to deal with also. Whatever you do.....Don't mow it. It will spread like the pleague.
Prickley pear has to be removed mechanically root and all or expensive Liscense only herbicide applied.
Wushaw, it's interesting that you said mesquite has a nut that needs to be removed, that's sort of like poison ivy. Good info. I don't really have any cactus, most of that has been eaten by the cows over the years, we burned off the needles.
Texas John, I contacted the County Agent yesterday for his help and I think he'll be a good resource through this process. We gotta give those A&M guys something to do! Our place has been spared for now with what promises to be a big nightmare for many, the Trans-Texas Corridor/I-69. Initial plans had this foreign toll road plowing right through our place but plans changed and they decided to go further east through Refugio County where we have another place. I guess I saw this as a new lease on life for this property and decided to fix it up and return it to pasture land like it should be.
CTW
Texas John, I contacted the County Agent yesterday for his help and I think he'll be a good resource through this process. We gotta give those A&M guys something to do!
Our place has been spared for now with what promises to be a big nightmare for many, the Trans-Texas Corridor/I-69. Initial plans had this foreign toll road plowing right through our place but plans changed and they decided to go further east through Refugio County where we have another place. I guess I saw this as a new lease on life for this property and decided to fix it up and return it to pasture land like it should be.CTW
mikim
Veteran Member
"foreign toll road" ain't it amazing? I never talk to anyone who's in favor of building this system ....at least in the way it's being done .... but our ricktator seems completely oblivious to what the people want ... and is going ahead with it. I'm sorry - but I gotta believe it's all about his bank account balance. Good luck with your mesquite ... I have more prickly pear than mesquite but seems we all deal with one, the other, or both.
texasjohn
Super Member
CTW... I understand re the toll road... also, keep an eye on your water underground... as doubtless you know, there are those who think they need it more than you do... and are working to suck you dry. I love this site... particularly the ability to see either a map, satellite photo, USGS map, etc. of the area:
Berclair, Texas TX Community Profile: City Data, Resources, Maps
Nice houses in Berclair:
Berclair Mansion - Berclair, Texas
I assume you know of the book: Tales from the San'tone River Bottom. It has stories from the Berclair area. I did the layout/design for it.
Wushaw has explained why you see so many sprangley mesquite trees.... A&M uses the fancy name "multi trunked". The point is, the roots have buds for some distance down the roots underground... I think it is maybe 1 foot or so... and even if you take the top of the tree away, unless you get EVERY one of the roots that have this bud potential, then you will get regrowth.
Suggest you talk to your County Agent about using a controlled burn as part of your pasture rennovation tools... can be very effective properly implemented.
For those who believe that all you have to do is to keep shredding and eventually the roots will die.... just look along the roads of Texas in the early fall...you will see healthy mesquite shoots coming up where shredding has been done... oh...maybe 40 years or so continuously
Berclair, Texas TX Community Profile: City Data, Resources, Maps
Nice houses in Berclair:
Berclair Mansion - Berclair, Texas
I assume you know of the book: Tales from the San'tone River Bottom. It has stories from the Berclair area. I did the layout/design for it.
Wushaw has explained why you see so many sprangley mesquite trees.... A&M uses the fancy name "multi trunked". The point is, the roots have buds for some distance down the roots underground... I think it is maybe 1 foot or so... and even if you take the top of the tree away, unless you get EVERY one of the roots that have this bud potential, then you will get regrowth.
Suggest you talk to your County Agent about using a controlled burn as part of your pasture rennovation tools... can be very effective properly implemented.
For those who believe that all you have to do is to keep shredding and eventually the roots will die.... just look along the roads of Texas in the early fall...you will see healthy mesquite shoots coming up where shredding has been done... oh...maybe 40 years or so continuously
If you google texas a&m brushbusters you will find lots of info. From experiance, for very large trees get a dozer/root rake. For med/large trees the remedy/diesel cut stump trick works well. It will give you a 90% kill rate with a 15% ratio. A&M has been backing off the mix ratio as years go by. For small bushes, lets say smaller than 2 feet, I like the remedy/reclaim folier spray. If you think remedy is expensive wait till you buy reclaim. It is 2X as much. But a gal of each will make 300 gal of mix which came out to only slightly more than 1.00/gal last time I bought it 2 years ago. The exact measurement is 2oz of each per 3 gals, along with the highly important blue dye and a sufficant.
Now the bad news. Mesquite beans can lie dormant for 50+ years before germinating. The key to the program is maintenance. I patrol my pasture in may/june constantly. Every year I kill 2000-3000 new growth trees on only a 40 ac pasture. I actually count and record the daily numbers. While they're small, 2 gal of rem/rec will do anywhere from 300-400 new growths so it actually isn't too costly. The initial clearing can be costly though.
If you need any more help let me know.
Now the bad news. Mesquite beans can lie dormant for 50+ years before germinating. The key to the program is maintenance. I patrol my pasture in may/june constantly. Every year I kill 2000-3000 new growth trees on only a 40 ac pasture. I actually count and record the daily numbers. While they're small, 2 gal of rem/rec will do anywhere from 300-400 new growths so it actually isn't too costly. The initial clearing can be costly though.
If you need any more help let me know.
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texasjohn
Super Member
Kossetx tells it like it is.
I'm hearing that you should purchase your chemicals immediately. Apparently the Olympics are being held in the heart of China's chemical industry... where pollution (along with jobs) has been exported in extreme degree. Wanting to make a good impression and reduce air pollution during the olympucs, they are shutting down their chemical industry in the area until after the olympics.... thus prices are rising EXTREMELY fast... so says a neighbor who has recently purchased some chemicals.
I'm hearing that you should purchase your chemicals immediately. Apparently the Olympics are being held in the heart of China's chemical industry... where pollution (along with jobs) has been exported in extreme degree. Wanting to make a good impression and reduce air pollution during the olympucs, they are shutting down their chemical industry in the area until after the olympics.... thus prices are rising EXTREMELY fast... so says a neighbor who has recently purchased some chemicals.
wushaw
Elite Member
Yea TexasJohn I also belive the mowing theory is BS also. It just keeps it short.
I need to revise my numbers/gal rate. Yesterday I sprayed 405 small to medium plants with 6 gallons of spray. Seems like I used to get more. I need to look it up as I do keep track of the numbers. The trees were all 2' or less. This is my 3rd year of maintenance spraying and I'll probably spray far less than 2000 trees.
If you use the BB remedy/reclaim mix do not spray it on desirable oaks. I regularly kill oaks and winged elm with this mix. I think TXJohn was using only reclaim in his mix.
If you use the BB remedy/reclaim mix do not spray it on desirable oaks. I regularly kill oaks and winged elm with this mix. I think TXJohn was using only reclaim in his mix.
texasjohn
Super Member
Agreed, only RECLAIM... never used the chemical combination because I was only interested in killing mesquite. Reclaim is very, very mesquite specific, did not hurt grass or any other growing thing where I applied it.
Kossetex has the mixture... it's about what I recall.. Yep, blue dye so you can see where you have been (after a while, one bush looks just like the others), surficant, diesel, water, herbicide.
Kossetex has the mixture... it's about what I recall.. Yep, blue dye so you can see where you have been (after a while, one bush looks just like the others), surficant, diesel, water, herbicide.
