Pond Edge Cattails w Landscape Rake

[HenRut]

I'm trying to rid a pond (1 acre) of cattails and shoreline weeds. I've tried the spray route but that takes too long and is only partially effective in killing the plant (mostly cattails). Plus you have to pull out the dead/dying plant by hand. Not fun. Luckily, the cattails only grow in the shallows, no more than 10, 12' from the shoreline, most of which is gently sloping to the water's edge and accessible by tractor or skid steer.

My idea is to use a landscape rake and attach it to the front loader with a a 3pt adapter. I could use the rear 3pt and just back in but would not have the control in digging and placement that the front rig would give me. I'm going out this weekend to measure to see if the reach is even far enough. If not, maybe I can find an old, used rake and weld an extension. Any better ideas?

 

[EddieWalker]

Cattails have tubers for roots. If you leave any part of the root in the ground, they will just come back again. You cannot get rid of them perminately by cutting them down. You might have a chance if you used an excavator and dug them out, but you still risk the chance of missing some of the roots. The only sure fire way to get rid of them is to use chemicals. It's ususally a slow process that requires multiple applications, but it is effective when done properly.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[HenRut]

You're right about the multiple applications. I started the spray/pull by hand process last year (two applications of Avocet). Pulled up about 2/3 of the roots. Half grew back this season. Applied again but didn't pull roots. Might pull this month before water gets too cold to wade in. I considered renting a compact excavator but I live in a sensitive watershed area where permits would probably be required to bring in something the size of even a small excavator.

 

[20 20]

I'd try digging them out before chemicals, IMO chemicals = bad. I have been fighting cattails for yrs digging them. I have them somewhat under control but know that I will allways have to dig them up. You will want to get rid of them before they spread. If you can keep them dug out as much as possible it isn't all that big a deal. Don't foget they're also good for the diet, you can eat parts of the plant and make baskets and such with the leaves.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'd try digging them out before chemicals, IMO chemicals = bad. I have been fighting cattails for yrs digging them. I have them somewhat under control but know that I will allways have to dig them up. You will want to get rid of them before they spread. If you can keep them dug out as much as possible it isn't all that big a deal. Don't foget they're also good for the diet, you can eat parts of the plant and make baskets and such with the leaves.

I like chemicals for the very reason sited here. Use the correct chemicals at the right time and the problem is taken care of. Do it manually and you will never fix the problem, or spend years and years working on it with the probability of it getting worse, or back to normal in just a years time.

Eddie

 

[blueriver]

I like chemicals for the very reason sited here. Use the correct chemicals at the right time and the problem is taken care of. Do it manually and you will never fix the problem, or spend years and years working on it with the probability of it getting worse, or back to normal in just a years time.

Eddie

I too am for the chemicals ... thats why they make them and thats why I have an applicators license.

 

[20 20]

I like chemicals for the very reason sited here. Use the correct chemicals at the right time and the problem is taken care of. Do it manually and you will never fix the problem, or spend years and years working on it with the probability of it getting worse, or back to normal in just a years time.

Eddie

I understand where you're comming from, and agree chemicals might be the only choice left.
The only problem with chemicals that are "safe" is just that they're chemicals. At one time or another many chemicals said to be safe have proven to be just the oposite down the road. I think we'd all agree that we have seen what so called "safe" chemicals have done to the environment, not to mention animals{including us}. There are studies out now that say a lot of{again safe} chemicals that were thought to be safe may be the cause for autism and other defects.
So my question to anyone is; would it be better to dig and use a lot of elbow grease or take even a % of a tiny % chance of ruining a childs{or anyone for that matter} life? The day is comming that I am getting to broke to do labor, but I'm still not ready to take ANY chance on the so called "safe chemicals" that have been proven time after time not to be so safe.

Eddie I have see your water holes and think there awsome{thanks for sharing especially pictures} and honestly believe you know what your doing. So please don't take ill at my post, it's just something to think about.

 

[20 20]

Along with my other post; I know that scientist and great minds have done countless research on chemicals. I also am not a scientist, but I have to ask wasn't it scientist and great minds that have brought so much harm with their proven "safe" stuff in the past?

 

[Ken45101]

I don't know your pond shoreline, but I've known people who have had equipment slide into ponds (even big excavators). I would be leary of getting my tractor into that position.

Since you said the cattails only grow in shallow water, if you made the water deeper (excavator), maybe you'd eliminate a lot of them.

Ken

 

[20 20]

I don't know your pond shoreline, but I've known people who have had equipment slide into ponds (even big excavators). I would be leary of getting my tractor into that position.

Ken

Yep it happens, but experience and as you pointed out knowledge of the pond can prevent this. I was using my dozer cleaning around the edge of my pond, back blading. I made 2or3 passes {same spot} on the next pass 1 side just sunk. Once I was able to get the dozer out{2days of hard labor} I found my problem an old buried tree root. Most stuck situations where equipment got stuck, that I've seen, were caused by inexperience or lack of judgement.