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,
Distressed in Seguin

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...

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

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.

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.