How does one remove tree rows of hedge apple

[jeepcj7]

I need suggestions on good ways to remove hedge apple (osage orange) trees. The smaller ones out in the open are easy enough to cut down, but the ones in the headge row are a different story. They are 2 - 3 ft in diameter, easily 40 - 50 ft tall and very closely spaced (intertwined). Just ta make it extra fun, they are also very thorny. Any helpful tips on removing these beasts is greatly apprecitaed.

 

[js5020]

I'm thinking one of those BIG yellow thingys,,,last one I saw had CAT D8 on the side of it. Just playing, I couldn't resist!

 

[Bird]

I've trimmed enough thorny branches to get in to the trunk on a couple of them that I wanted out of the hedge row. But, as you know, those things are frequently, if not usually, right in the fence row, so it's not unusual to find that someone 30, 40, or 50 years ago stapled barbed wire to them and now that barbed wire is embedded 4" to 6" inches into the trunk of the tree, which was exactly the situation I had with the last one I removed.

 

[sellercreek]

The big yellow thingy can have the job done in the time it would take you to make a trip or two to the emergency room. js5020 hit the nail squarely on the head.

 

[jeffinsgf]

The bigger the yellow thingy the better!

 

[Trainer]

Go to some of the archery sites and post that you have these osage orange trees you want to get rid of. There are a lot of folks that make bows out of them.

 

[Western]

Go to some of the archery sites and post that you have these osage orange trees you want to get rid of. There are a lot of folks that make bows out of them.

Good advice, you could also sell some for post, I bet you could almost make enough to pay for one of those "Yellow thing's" but I'm not sure how a "banana" is going to help you..LOL..sorry guy's new brand of coffee this morning

 

[czechsonofagun]

American boys in Normandy had to deal with the same problem; here is your inspiration

 

[BX2230Dude]

I'm betting this turns into a "What can a BX do" thread.

 

[dieselalles]

Osage Orange, Bois d'arc, Bodock Tree, Horse Apple, Hedge Apple...

Those trees make some dandy fence posts. They just refuse to rot. It's one of the most dense, hardest woods known. Very difficult to drive a nail into the wood. The Indians made their bows from the wood because it was so strong. My ag teacher had a Bois d'arc plank that he made into a paddle. It was three inches wide, a half inch think, and three feet long, and the biggest kid in the class couldn't break it standing on it between two cinder blocks. Man, he could light you up with that thing. Settlers used the tree as a barrier for livestock before barbed wire came one the scene. Dense growth, hardy with long thorns, created a pretty sturdy fencerow. And the fruit strategically placed around a basement helps to repel roaches and spiders.

Watch the thorns cause they are death on tractor tires.

On second thought, 2 to 3 feet thick, closely spaced, maybe you better find you a D9!

 

[bjh2915]

It's been a while since anyone posted on this subject.
I am about to attempt to do where it left off.
I have a row of Osage trees that i used to protect my garden from deer on the East side. Now they are shading the garden and I need to take them down. 20 40 feet tall.
Best advise from the last post, watchout for thorns they are killers on tractor tires.
I can verify that .
This spring they are coming down. I don't know how yet, but they are coming down.
I am thinking about a mini excavator or track skid steer. I don't think that the thorns will penitrate those tires.
Cutting down is only one problem, removing branches with thorns is another.
I'm looking to thoughts on how to do this.
Not wearing CROCS this time. I found many thorns in the bottoms after walking around where I took one down.
That Grader is looking better and better. No puncured tires.
I'm wondering if a grader a lot smaller might that down the trees.
Those thorns are really killers.

Bill

 

[oldballs]

What Bird said.........Embedded barbed wire......overhead tangled limbs etc. I would not touch one of that size/condition. I've cut a few isolated Osage Orange....I have many a sticker pain......I dulled many a chain. If there are many along the property line, I'd just live with it ...as is....or hire a very large dozer to do the job.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[bjh2915]

What Bird said.........Embedded barbed wire......overhead tangled limbs etc. I would not touch one of that size/condition. I've cut a few isolated Osage Orange....I have many a sticker pain......I dulled many a chain. If there are many along the property line, I'd just live with it ...as is....or hire a very large dozer to do the job.

Cheers,
Mike

Mike , I planted these threes so I know that there is nothing but tree wood in there.
Thanks for replying anyway.

 

[dodge man]

I’d get a full sized excavator or a bulldozer. They are tough.

 

[oldballs]

If you can get them on the ground without hurting yourself (overhead entanglement) with the fall, it is not so bad to cut them up. I cut mine into two foot lengths and made a hedge log (stacked) fence between the really big trees. Also used some for fence posts that are still solid after 50 years. I don't worry about the thorns anymore ....except for tire flats. I found that the mature trees take all the life (water/shade) out of the ground for about 30- 50 feet either side.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[ljjhouser]

Watch the thorns cause they are death on tractor tires.

On second thought, 2 to 3 feet thick, closely spaced, maybe you better find you a D9!

AHH another reason for steel tracks. Maybe rent a dozer or pay someone with on eto do it for you.

 

[jaxs]

Osage isn't as bad as some have made it out to be and to it's credit wood can be quite valuable. If trees are removed and you have space to store wood,I reccomend processing it. Unlike most wood,Osage can be stored outdoors for years and be non the worse for it. The caveat is that you need to do as much cutting as possible while green because once cured it require's sharp and durable tools to work it. Cut trunks into 3/4" thick boards and trim edges. Sawmill operations can not afford workers comp or liability ins coverage so be mindful when on their property. Don't take the kids or other spectators. Yea,yea I know they will be told to stay in truck but just don't take them. To help mill understand how I want a log cut,I measure and lay it out with 2 views on graph and paint corosponding # on butt of log. Due to crooks in log lots of wood has to be removed before the cant produce's boards of good width and leingth. The operator know's I primarily want 3/4" boards but my sketch make's "cull cuts" I can use or sale to blacksmiths and knife makers. 1.5" slabs up to 40" long can be used for hammer,sledge and other tool handles. 2" thick up to 40" for pick and mattock. After showing and explianing sketch I can get out of the way or as in most cases,leave logs to be cut at operators convinuence. I'm never in a hurry but can't resist telling him if he wait's til log dry's he will have to rent a torch. Most people think blades will quickly dull but I put the green wood about equal to kiln dry Ash and SYP for chainsaw and sawmill.
As far as thorns,they aren't near as bad as Mesquite and no compairson with Honey Locust. This should tell you something about thorns. Many homes in East Texas have one or more Osage in or bordering yard. The most expensive residential lots in Dallas (more exactly Highland, University Parks) have Osage trees on them. The wealthest familys in Dallas wouldn't keep trees if thorns were probmatic.
How to take trees down? They aren't deeply rooted so dozers much smaller than a D8 can topple them. Drop a single ripper and make a pass completely around or as much as possible before pushing. A 100 + hp tractor can pull a fair size one down after breaking roots off. If your tractor is too light in the pants,snatch blocks and cable will up their capibility. For traction,the block closest to tractor should be anchored low on a sacrificial tree or screw in earth anchor.
If farmers around you have tractors like around me,they can jerk them out quick as you tie cables on them.

 

[dirttoys]

Worked with them for years as a kid/farmer. All the folks with the dozer suggestions are correct. If you don't want to do that, and don't mind stumps: run a loader in, raising as you go till you get to the tree. Carefully crawl around and clean the area around the tree. Make you wedge cut, take a light line to the loader and move the tractor back further than the tree is tall, and put some tension on the tree in a direction that it can fall clear. Crawl back in and make your back cut. The more you get out of the way, the easier it gets..........

Slime in the tires, good leather gloves, full face motorcycle helmet, and leather welding jacket or good carharts help a bunch. You can squat down, but NEVER put your knees on the ground.

Best,

ed

 

[CalG]

This about covers the options

I really like the method at 7:19 for anything set in rows ;-)

 

[redman135]

20 ton digger with a pick to rip the roots out and a thumb to pick the tree up to take to burn pile. Steel tracks beat the thorn issue.
Be pleasantly surprised how fast a large digger is.