Mesquite tree spraying pains

   / Mesquite tree spraying pains #1  

Bignoles

Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2009
Messages
31
Location
Terrell, TX
Tractor
International 784
How does everyone else get rid of these cursed things? We have 25 acres that needs cleared, trees up to about 15 ft tall. Can't afford a dozer, or I could have them all out in a couple days. I have read about spraying the live tree with Remedy and Reclaim mix (about $350 for a gallon of both), spraying Remedy/diesel mix on the stump, and other mixes. I'm sure both ways work well, but won't I still have to cut the dang thing out if I spray the live tree? Do they come out any easier with the tractor after they are dead? How long do I have to wait?
It anyone has any experience with getting the whole tree out let me know. I want them gone now, but if spraying will keep them from coming back it's worth the wait I guess, otherwise, out comes the chainsaw.
 
   / Mesquite tree spraying pains #2  
About all I can do is wish you luck.:rolleyes: I've cut them off at the ground and they'll come back from the roots, but if it's a pasture, you can then just keep them mowed before they get too big. A neighbor spent a lot of money on Remedy and diesel spraying small ones. They appeared to die, but new ones sprout from the roots. The only real success I've seen involved dozers to take out the trees, then the dozers used the big rippers on the back to dig roots out, had crews who picked up the roots, then plowed with farm plows, and then kept that area under cultivation. Most folks thought I didn't have any in my pasture because I mowed the pasture 2 or 3 times a year. Actually I had several but they never had a chance to get waist high between mowing.
 
   / Mesquite tree spraying pains
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Thanks for the info Bird. That's kinda what I thought, but they make it sound so GOOD. I guess either way I'll have to cut out the trees with a chainsaw and keep it mowed or sprayed. I'm thinking about using the Remedy and diesel mix on the cut stump...maybe slow em down a little anyway. It's only 25 acres so the plan is to make alot of progress this summer. We already have 3 horses and plan on getting a couple of heifers to rotate since the horses can't keep it eaten down and it would be nice to see them every once in a while:eek:
Gas for the saw and diesel for the tractor would be alot cheaper than $$$ in chemical, and I still have to cut out the tree.:mad:
stinkin reckin freckin mesquites anyway
 
   / Mesquite tree spraying pains #4  
If you're going to spray very many, be sure you have a dye in the mixture so you can easily tell which ones you've sprayed and which yoiu haven't. And of course, it also lets you know how thoroughly you've coated the ones you've sprayed.
 
   / Mesquite tree spraying pains
  • Thread Starter
#5  
This is the site I have been looking at.
Cut Stumps
The guys at Texas A&M seem to have encountered mesquite before:rolleyes: Now all that remains is alot of hard work and chainsaw time. I have enough leftover "stuff" to make a set of quick attach brush forks for the FEL, that gives me a welding project to mix with the brush cutting.:D
 
   / Mesquite tree spraying pains #6  
In south and west Texas you can see 100's of acres of sprayed trees. They use a plane to spray the large areas. I don't like the spraying idea because you get all those thorns breaking off the dead tree when you push them.

I have had good results using a 140 hp tractor I used to have, she dug them up pretty quick, the tap root is the key objective.

In your situation I think a backhoe would do the job and it is cheaper than a dozer. You could probably rent one for the cost of the chemicals.
 
   / Mesquite tree spraying pains #7  
Had a buddy that graduated from the U of A, AG major .

They did a bunch of trials (1984-85) and plain ole diesel applied to the cut stump worked as well as anything.

I had ten about 6 to 8 inches in diameter right on a fence line that I cut and applied the plain diesel to and it killed all of them the first try, no suckers, dead. I used two or three oz's per stump.

Also I rented a old D-4 and cleared ten acres, no problems.

Probably be money well spent in the long run, life's short.

I sure miss my mesquite wood.

good luck
 
Last edited:
   / Mesquite tree spraying pains
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Western, good point about the thorns breaking off..hadn't thought of that one. How long do they usually wait to push them over after spraying? Does that make them easier to push? Right now if I tried to push with just my tractor and FEL I would tear up stuff on the tractor.
J35, where are you located? It just so happens I know a guy who would let you come cut a couple hundred, FREE! :D:rolleyes:
 
   / Mesquite tree spraying pains #9  
After 45 years being a desert rat living S of Tucson I now live in E VA.

Plenty of hardwoods here, but I am spoiled on Mesquite for cooking.

I have a buddy that sends me a couple care packages every year.

In S AZ I have seen some of the rancher's use two D 8's with a huge chain hooked between them, one serves as a anchor and the other does a big circle for cedar and mesquite removal, unhook the chain pile up the carnage , repeat.

good luck with your tree removal.
 
   / Mesquite tree spraying pains #10  
Years ago I went on a hog hunt on the King Ranch down that way and noticed they also used two big dozers and a big chain. Probably went behind that with the rippers as well to get the roots. Do you folks down that way have any government programs to help with costs when in comes to getting rid of these types of trees and the such? Up here in Oklahoma we have programs through the Soil and Conservation district office along with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (Feds) to assist in situations like these. Here we have what they call "Eastern Red Cedar Eradication" programs. Basically, consists of a NRCS fellow coming out looking it over drawing up a plan of action and if all looks good they assist in the funding. It's a reimbursment type situation and you just have to agree to maintain it for so many years. I've taken advantage of it once for sprigging burmuda in my pastures. The "county agent" drew up the plan and we went for it. The programs may differ from year to year being decided by popular demand but they range from tree eradication, sprigging, pond (tank for you Texans!) building, etc. I realize that some folks aren't too keen on getting Big Brother involved in their business and I can sympathize with that but it can be helpful if you're willing. Also, don't forget that livestock have a real handy (or unhandy if your trying to get rid of something) way of spreading trees and weeds and the such by eating and re-seeding in other parts of the pasture. Further more, buying hay with "undesireable" seed in it will even further your problems. Good luck with the project and share some pics.

Jay
 

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