kudzu....

[randy41]

i need to cut kudzu vines down from the trees that are too high to reach from the ground. i'm not looking to eradicate the kudzu this way but i want to use the vines to make baskets. i need to use long pieces. what inexpensive tool should i get to do this?

 

[RedRock]

i need to cut kudzu vines down from the trees that are too high to reach from the ground. i'm not looking to eradicate the kudzu this way but i want to use the vines to make baskets. i need to use long pieces. what inexpensive tool should i get to do this?

Kind of a stale post, but...
When I was working for a land surveyor in East Texas as a teen, we always used what we called a "brush knife" but it's proper name is probably a long handle "brush axe", it can be sharpened around the entire edge and worked well on vines and doubled as an axe.

 

[texbaylea]

Kind of a stale post, but...
When I was working for a land surveyor in East Texas as a teen, we always used what we called a "brush knife" but it's proper name is probably a long handle "brush axe", it can be sharpened around the entire edge and worked well on vines and doubled as an axe.

I have always known that tool as a "ditch bank blade". Whatever it is it is a very useful blade.

Since this is a tractor forum and we strive to do everything by tractor look at a Hi-Reach Tree Shear. I have one and used it to get wild grape vines out of my oak trees. I am able to reach up nearly 14' with it. The vines had almost killed some of my oaks.

Vernon

 

[beppington]

Home Depot sells an awesome cutter by Fiskars called a "Pruning Stik" (model 9234) for about 40 bucks. It's a 62" long pole with cutting jaws at the end. You can reach way up above your head, pull the end of the handle, & the jaws cut. This thing is slick, works really great & with minimal effort.

I bought one, wore it completely out, then bought another, used (abused?) it until I broke the rope inside it. Was about to buy a 3rd (I love this thing!) when I realized it has a lifetime warranty!! (Wasted my 40 bucks buying that 2nd one - Drat!)

Very light (less than 2 lbs) but incredibly strong. The fact that I've worn them out is not because they're weak; It's because I use the heck out of them & probably cut stuff bigger than I should, using all my power.

I see Fiskars also now sells a telescoping version, model 9240, extends to 12 feet & with a cutting capacity of up to 1.25", even includes a 15" saw blade that can be attached, & looks to be about 85 bucks.

I'll have to ask for the telescoping model for Christmas! :laughing: :thumbsup: