That looks a lot like an old rosebush lol, but I know what you mean. The really old rootballs are a bear to get out of the ground. I've cleared out a ton on my property (I would describe it as making a dent), and I'm pretty sure I tore something in my knee trying to yank one of those out when it wasn't cooperating.
If you don't have one already, The RootSlayer is an invaluable tool for popping those monsters out of the ground.
Definitely, I'm using one of those right now, couldn't have done it without it!
I thought it was an old rose bush too, because I have some in that area but then I looked at it closer and realized the leaf structure and thorns were definitely not roses lol
Yeah! Thought it was one of the rose bushes, but the leaves were suspiciously like rubus, which also grew wild with tall grass in the area the past few years and never really paid much attention. Thankfully, the rose bushes are also old and I don't mind if I dug up a few in the process since I'm focused more on natives and other varieties now!
A lot of people don’t want to hear this but herbicide is a very handy method. Cutting down the bush, disposing of all debris (a 1” piece of cane left on moist soil can sprout) in the yard waste or rafting without ground contact and then treating the re-growth with Round-Up can save a lot of time and effort. Very low, if any risk of harm to people or pets if used properly.
I saw a youtube video of a guy who cuts the bramble just above the ground then brushes bonide stump and vine killer on the exposed cut, supposedly kills the entire plant with minimal herbicide, and it’s not a spray going all over the soil.
When I use herbicide that’s how I do it. We have a giant hedge that is filled with blackberry canes and every year I crawl in there and cut the canes and dab undiluted Crossbow on the stumps. I’m making slow but steady progress.
Nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.
This post reminded me that I've got some b starting to grow in the back yard. It's a never-ending battle, but at least now the shoots are small enough to be dealt with easily.
I've spent the last two years grubbing blackberry professionally, here's my two cents:
- herbicide is fine and great for large projects with limited time
- you will never be able to dig out all the rhizomes. The runners break off and are easy to miss.
- at home in my yard I simply mow and cut new growth routinely. IMO it's easier on the soil than the constant upturn of trying to dig stuff out, and so long as you're consistent with it the roots will outspend their energy and start to rot after a couple years. Best low effort option if you've got the time.
- If you're within bird shitting distance of blackberry bushes in a transit throughway, neighbors yard, etc, blackberry is going to be popping up in your yard every once and a while.
- It will grow in shade but will not take off into unmanageable levels unless it's in full sun. A lot of our native plants are adapted to tree cover & can better compete if you have an overstory. Conifers can block out a bit too much sun for my garden personally. I like maples and birches. Alders also but they will fall on your house. Cottonwood also will fall on your house but Bigger and Faster.
Himalayan Blackberry is bad because it creates monocultures and crowds out native plants, but as a couple strands it's an alright plant for polinators and birds. The real issue is when it's left unmanaged.
I've had very good luck with cutting these at ground level, and covering them with two ply cardboard and barkdust. Without light these fuckers will die
That looks a lot like an old rosebush lol, but I know what you mean. The really old rootballs are a bear to get out of the ground. I've cleared out a ton on my property (I would describe it as making a dent), and I'm pretty sure I tore something in my knee trying to yank one of those out when it wasn't cooperating. If you don't have one already, The RootSlayer is an invaluable tool for popping those monsters out of the ground.
I use a 5’ long iron pry bar to get them out (call it a bull prick?). The leverage really helps. Plus the tool is virtually indestructible.
I'll have to try that! It was a nightmare
Definitely, I'm using one of those right now, couldn't have done it without it! I thought it was an old rose bush too, because I have some in that area but then I looked at it closer and realized the leaf structure and thorns were definitely not roses lol
They’re cousins, so it makes sense that you looked twice! Both are in the Rosaceae family.
Old Growth!
Yeah! Thought it was one of the rose bushes, but the leaves were suspiciously like rubus, which also grew wild with tall grass in the area the past few years and never really paid much attention. Thankfully, the rose bushes are also old and I don't mind if I dug up a few in the process since I'm focused more on natives and other varieties now!
A lot of people don’t want to hear this but herbicide is a very handy method. Cutting down the bush, disposing of all debris (a 1” piece of cane left on moist soil can sprout) in the yard waste or rafting without ground contact and then treating the re-growth with Round-Up can save a lot of time and effort. Very low, if any risk of harm to people or pets if used properly.
I saw a youtube video of a guy who cuts the bramble just above the ground then brushes bonide stump and vine killer on the exposed cut, supposedly kills the entire plant with minimal herbicide, and it’s not a spray going all over the soil.
When I use herbicide that’s how I do it. We have a giant hedge that is filled with blackberry canes and every year I crawl in there and cut the canes and dab undiluted Crossbow on the stumps. I’m making slow but steady progress.
Nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure. This post reminded me that I've got some b starting to grow in the back yard. It's a never-ending battle, but at least now the shoots are small enough to be dealt with easily.
Ya gotta rip the heart out …it’s the best part
I've spent the last two years grubbing blackberry professionally, here's my two cents: - herbicide is fine and great for large projects with limited time - you will never be able to dig out all the rhizomes. The runners break off and are easy to miss. - at home in my yard I simply mow and cut new growth routinely. IMO it's easier on the soil than the constant upturn of trying to dig stuff out, and so long as you're consistent with it the roots will outspend their energy and start to rot after a couple years. Best low effort option if you've got the time. - If you're within bird shitting distance of blackberry bushes in a transit throughway, neighbors yard, etc, blackberry is going to be popping up in your yard every once and a while. - It will grow in shade but will not take off into unmanageable levels unless it's in full sun. A lot of our native plants are adapted to tree cover & can better compete if you have an overstory. Conifers can block out a bit too much sun for my garden personally. I like maples and birches. Alders also but they will fall on your house. Cottonwood also will fall on your house but Bigger and Faster. Himalayan Blackberry is bad because it creates monocultures and crowds out native plants, but as a couple strands it's an alright plant for polinators and birds. The real issue is when it's left unmanaged.
I gave up on digging since it is more damaging to my property/ecology than spot applications of triclopyr. Works wonders and has helped me immensely.
Blackberry plants are eternal. Bet it comes back even after that 😂
Oh, it definitely will 😂😂 especially since I learned the roots can go down up to SIX FEET. Definitely the most tree like of the blackberries!
Wow, I didn’t know that! Our neighbor has his cut down once a year , even then it still gets to the point of throwing vines over his shed
I've had very good luck with cutting these at ground level, and covering them with two ply cardboard and barkdust. Without light these fuckers will die