Clearing Prickly Pears

[DeeDubya]

I ordered this "debris fork" which clamps between pallet forks. I modified it by bolting on some sickle bar sections. I'm hoping to push it into a pear until it is cut off at the base or torn out by the roots, tip the bucket back and haul it to the prickly grave yard. This might help prevent dropping pieces which will grow back with the first rain. I lay out piece of thick polyvinyl and pile them up. Like this they will rot and finally dry up without taking root.

 

[RPW]

Looks interesting. Let us know how it works.

 

[Bird]

Yep, that's interesting, and it'll be even more interesting to learn how it works. My limited experience with prickly pear has been that almost nothing works.:laughing:

 

[DeeDubya]

Yep, that's interesting, and it'll be even more interesting to learn how it works. My limited experience with prickly pear has been that almost nothing works.:laughing:

Attempting to scoop them out with the FEL doesn't work. It just pushes them down and slides over the top (understand that this is on hill country bedrock). I'm hoping that the forks will slide onto the root and then either pull the root out or cut if off but still have the bucket to catch loose pears and leaves, either of which will grow on if left on the ground.

Here you go, no top soil. I don't see how they even grow, but they do it well.

 

[Wooddust]

ever spray for them?

 

[DeeDubya]

ever spray for them?

This is somewhat representative of 6 acres that I need to clear of trash, brush and pear. I want them gone so that I can work the area by this fall and cut it with a bush hog. Spraying would be an option if I had a year or two.

 

[jonyyuma]

Good luck, like you said they cannot touch the ground...Too bad they won't make something you could drink?

 

[Redbug]

Boy, those things can ruin your land for doing just about anything. Will glyphosphate kill them?

 

[fishfactor]

It's going to be tough if you want to work the land this fall. I would check to see if there is a herbicide that will kill them and not your grass. Clear them with a mulcher, keep it cut with a bush hog and as soon as you see them start to resprout spray with the selective herbicide that may or may not exist.

 

[koogala]

Du Pont makes a herbicide called SURMOUNT....it is the chemical of choice for prickly pear....kills very slow but very thoroughly...takes 3-6 months but it WILL DIE....mixes @ 2% & will need someone w/ applicators license to purchase.