Clearing Brush from a fence line

gto · Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Seguin,TEXAS

I have about three acres in Seguin, Texas. The fence is covered with mesquite and hackberry trees. I also have three huge live oak trees that have poison oak climbing all along the fence beneath them. There is also every other kind of weed you can think of. I have been told that RoundUp is the best route to go for the weeds and diesel for the mesquites. I really do not feel comfortable using the RoundUp because I know it is a chemical. What other course of treatment is available for clearing off this fence line? Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
:cry: Distressed in Seguin

Mr. Clean · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 708 Location: Garland, Texas

gto, It is your land and I'm not trying to tell you what to do with it, but hopefully offering a different perspective/approach. I am an ex-quail hunter. But when I was active in the sport, I attended several "land use" seminars where land owners were encouraged not to clean up their fence rows as the practice continues to diminish a beneficial wildlife habitat.

Just a thought...

pakin · Joined: 31 Dec 1969 Posts: 219 Location: Hubbard,TEXAS

Would you consider trimming the trees up high so the branches are above the fence? Hackberries will multiply like crazy. Because I have oaks and pecans, I cut down the hackberries. But I understand that the birds really like the fruit from these trees.

HG recommends leaving large mesquites. Again, would it be acceptable if you trim them above the fence?

I would dig out the poison ivy from the oak trees. They have a long, long root. You may not get it all in one digging. Be sure to protect yourself from the oil of the ivy. About the time I thought I was immune to the PI, I got a case of it--all over my face. Zanfel from the drug store was worth every penny it cost--$35-$40!

Good luck,

Pat Akin

Dchall_San_Antonio · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 2001 Location: San Antonio,TEXAS

Goats will eat the poison ivy and other low stuff. Trees could be mulched. There's a guy called Cedar Eater that travels all over to clear cedar. I don't know if his machine would work on other trees. Basically the Cedar Eater drops a grinder down over top of the tree and about 30 seconds later it is a pile of mulch down to the ground.

RobertB · Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 24 Location: ,

The note about Roundup and poison ivy reminds me of an unfortunate incident. I travelled to an organic store in Garland whose name I recalled from way back (and which I won't repeat here) to get some DE for our pets. On the shelf, to my horror, I saw several bottles Roundup! This was rather distressing -- not only is it a non-organic poison, but it's the foundation for "Roundup Ready" genetically-engineered factory-farm crops (see here for what happens when natural processes spread the GE genes).

I asked the clerk what was the deal, and she said that it's the least toxic thing that will kill poison ivy, so they stock it.

Oddly enough, I haven't heard this company's ads on the radio show for a while... guess I know why, now.