Best tool for cutting down saplings, mountain laurel?
I keep a reciprocating saw (sawzall) in the truck with four batteries and a pack of blades. I use it mainly on my miles of fencerow.
By the time I’m through four batteries, I’m ready to go to the house. And the blades are cheap enough I don’t worry about getting them into the dirt or occasionally into the barbed wire.
But it sounds like a tractor or skid steer with a rough cut shredder is more compatible with your project.
October 10, 2021, 03:32 PM
slosig
Is napalm out of the question?
October 10, 2021, 03:58 PM
thumperfbc
I’m not familiar with mountain laurel… is it something that a good, well placed swing with a sharp axe or machete could get through in one swing? That would be faster, and a better workout, than a saw. But only if it worked.
What about a cordless circular saw with the guard pinned back, like you’d use it to trim a standing fence post. I would think that would be faster than the reciprocating saw, which was my first thought.
October 10, 2021, 04:02 PM
Black92LX
quote:
Originally posted by DaveL: I rented a walk behind brush cutter from Home Depot for a similar project. I was about $100 for a day and it did a good job on brush up to 2.5-3 inches.
———————————————— The world's not perfect, but it's not that bad. If we got each other, and that's all we have. I will be your brother, and I'll hold your hand. You should know I'll be there for you!
October 10, 2021, 05:07 PM
41
I used a brush blade with teeth on my Stihl FS90 to cut Mountain Laurel on my property.
Originally posted by Voshterkoff: Reciprocating saw with a handful of pruning blades was my first thought. Or someone with a bobcat to scrape the whole thing flat.
That is what I would use also. The pruning blades will go through that like a hot knife in butter.
_________________________ "Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." Mark Twain
October 10, 2021, 10:54 PM
41
I might add that a weed eater with a saw tooth blade saves your back by not having to bend over. It is fast and inexpensive if you have a weed eater.
41
October 10, 2021, 11:53 PM
cas
I went north to clear brush this spring with my old Homelite whacker and a Forester chain saw style blade. Got there and she just wouldn't run right. Got pissed, went to town and Tractor Supply and bought a Husky with the brush blade. (well over the $200 range though) It made short work of the weeds and saplings. Put the Forrester blade on and cut down many genuine small trees. It's a beast, glad I got it, the old Homie never would have done it.
_____________________________________________________ Sliced bread, the greatest thing since the 1911.
October 11, 2021, 03:27 AM
sourdough44
I realize most suggest tools with engines, there are alternatives. We bought our brushy 5 acres years ago, I cleaned much of it up.
I did use a chainsaw at times, but also did a lot with loping shears & a small hand saw. The idea was to cut close to the ground, later the Dr Brush mower or regular lawn mower could mow.
Like you say, don’t need the whole 7 cleared right away. Hiring the brush hog leaves you with a stumpy mess.
I’d do most in colder months, pile in an area for burning. I may not be an expert at everything, but do well at brush eradication.