What's the best time of the year to clear land with mulcher

[AlbertC]

I have some land that I want to get cleared with one of those large mulchers. I have a lot of scrub oaks, sweet gums and wild pear trees along with all kind of brush and vines. Is there a time of the year when it it best to get this done to minimize regrowth and sprouting? I presume when I have regrowth the best way to kill it is by spraying. I live in middle georgia.

Thanks

 

[smstonypoint]

I defer to the experts, but I don't think that you can deter sprouting by choosing the time of year to mulch. Depending on the size of the tract, you could spray 41% glyphosate on the larger freshly cut stumps to prevent sprouting.* Foliar spraying is effective in killing sprouts, but you may have to make several applications.

Steve

* I think the label says that glyphosate can be diluted up to 50%(????) with water or diesel when using the cut-stump method, but I use it undiluted.

 

[Mikejeakins]

When I do it its in the winter. That way the leafs are not on the trees and you can see any junk i.e. Piles of barbed wire, steel,.

 

[EddieWalker]

Just guessing, but I would think as soon as the ground is dry is when I would want to get started.

Eddie

 

[kebo]

Jmho here.... If I were going to clear some land with a forestry mulcher, I really wouldn't care what time of the year it was because:
1) I would be contracting it out because they are too expensive to own as a "toy".

2) If he gets his forestry mulcher stuck it's his problem. Ok, he might try to pass some of the cost to get unstuck onto my bill.

3) If he hits something metal and tears up the mulcher because he couldn't see it, it's his problem. Ok, he might try to pass some the repair cost onto my bill.

4) I don't think it matters what time of the year you have it done. Much of it will come back next spring, unless you plan on spraying the majority of the property or fence it in and get some goats.

 

[dave1949]

I don't think the timing matters for the plants as much as the soil. Here we prefer dry summer or frozen ground to minimize compaction and rutting. Frozen isn't an option for you.

The mulcher would normally take tree stumps down to flat with the ground. What you do next depends on what use you have planned for the cleared area. If you bush hog down the tree sprouts regularly they will give up after 2-3 years. I assume you will be mowing it anyways or it will go back to trees and brush.

Invasive plants often take advantage of new clearings and disturbances. There are a lot of dormant seeds just waiting for their chance. I would follow up the mulching with whatever you intend to plant fairly soon.

 

[rutwad]

I would agree as far as helping prevent regrowth that timing would not matter. But if you are hiring a mulcher that is charging by the hour instead of the job, late winter may be better when the growth is thinner which I would presume would save time.

Steve, would that work on old live stumps? We have stumps cut flush with the ground but I am tires of the regrowth of trees. The trees may have been cut around 30 years ago, but many are still alive.

 

[dusty3030]

I would agree as far as helping prevent regrowth that timing would not matter. But if you are hiring a mulcher that is charging by the hour instead of the job, late winter may be better when the growth is thinner which I would presume would save time.

Steve, would that work on old live stumps? We have stumps cut flush with the ground but I am tires of the regrowth of trees. The trees may have been cut around 30 years ago, but many are still alive.

Garlon would work for you IF it is in grasses you want to preserve. It won't kill everything like Arsenal (imazapyr) does. It does a number on trees and broadleaf. If the trees are small you can spray over the top with Garlon, if they are bigger you can inject them with Arsenal.

 

[smstonypoint]

Steve, would that work on old live stumps? We have stumps cut flush with the ground but I am tires of the regrowth of trees. The trees may have been cut around 30 years ago, but many are still alive.

The cut-stump method requires application of glyphosate soon after mulching/cutting. A few years ago I read an article in which the time frame for effectiveness was discussed. As I recall, the application had to be made within a few days in order to be effective. Otherwise, the stumps "skin over" and the glyphosate can't penetrate and do its thing.

I don't know if it would work, but it might be worth a try if you have only a few such stumps. You could use a cordless drill with a spade bit to drill into the stump to reach live wood, then pour a small amount of glyphosate into the hole.

Steve