[TK Franklin]

I’m struggling at my local Tractor Supply store trying to decide between all the poisons...

Gordon’s Brush Killer
Brushtox
Pramitol 25E
and just the general generic roundup knockoff...

anybody have any great ideas? I have 40 acres, mostly in pasture, but 1,000’ of river frontage in a strip about 100’ wide where the privet has run amok... privet is also growing like crazy in my fencerows...

any help would be appreciate... as you surely know, this stuff isn’t exactly cheap, but the real cost is the time and effort of application if I don‘t get the job done...

 

[Treefarmer]

Privet is a pita, no doubt. Unfortunately birds spread it as fast as you can kill it or at least it seems that way. The least expensive thing monetarily is to cut it and spray or paint the stumps with glyphosate full strength or at least a high concentration. The downside is the time needed.

You might try waiting for close to fall and spray the trunks with a diesel fuel/glyphosate mixture. Again, that takes time but not as much herbicide.

Pramitol is a soil sterilant and will not only kill things but keep things from growing back. I'd be very hesitant to use that on a river bank.

Treefarmer

 

[dkinzer]

Crossbow works well with woody plants like poison oak, blackberries and other brushy growth. I use it full strength on the cut stems of blackberries and on the cut trunks of small trees to prevent re-growth. For spraying, I use a mix of Glyphosate and Crossbow so I can successfully treat anything that I come across.

 

[thatguy2]

Control Options for Chinese Privet - Alabama Cooperative Extension System

The following recommendations for widely available privet control options can be used across a range of land management scenarios. This is not, however, exhaustive as certain herbicides used in forestry and rights-of-way are not covered.

www.aces.edu

I am a fan of Pathfinder II for crappy woody species. I use it on locust all the time.

 

[pede]

Crossbow for woody brush up to 6ft, another good one would be Surmount but it's restricted treat a cut stump with Tordon.

 

[Pedals2Paddles]

First you need to learn the ingredients. That is what matters. Lots of brand names out there and they're all just a different blend of various ingredients. It's all marketing bs for the same thing. Always read the ingredients!

• Gordon's Brush killer is 24D, Triclopyr, & dicamba.
• Brushtox just Triclopyr.
• Crossbow is 24d & Triclopyr.
• Pathfinder is just Triclopyr

Seeing a pattern? Triclopyr is specifically for woody brush. It can be absorbed through the bark. The 24d and dicamba is only through the leaves.

Some quick ag extension reading tells me a few things. A triclopyr + 24d + Glyphosate mix is very effective. The individual ones alone not so much, but together they will kill it. Based on what's at your local store, go with the Gordon's and some generic 41% Glyphosate.

It also tells me it will come right back since the roots will just resprout. And birds spread the seed. And it grows basically anywhere in any conditions. So congratulations on killing that plant, but expect an ongoing war.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

I'm far from expert...all I know is what's worked for me (take with grain of salt).
Once any of that stuff gets big, it's hard to eradicate because that's when it puts out berries, spreads like crazy.
Poison ivy I've cut vines big as my arm, I'm highly allergic. I had soap and water with me...cut a section out of vine and wash immediately.
Any little sprigs I see pop up gets Roundup concentrate, a few time until it's dead.
Privit big ones I use a winch or cable, several wraps at base pull uprooting it. Smaller ones pull by hand soon as I see one.
I have to be vigilant. Same with grape vines, honeysuckle, etc.
Once any of that establishes it rough, easy to control when it's small.
Pasture I keep bushhogged otherwise all sorts of nuisance plants would take over.
Keep it cut it stays pretty nice.

Sent from my SM-S205DL using Tapatalk

 

[pede]

I don't use Glyphosate in my brush program, like to leave the grass, anybody noticed the shortage of this and the cost has doubled from last year. Another thing to think about is timing, tree needs to be out of the leaf growing stage otherwise you just kill the leaves and not the tree.

 

[Deere1]

I've been using Remedy for 27 years. It is Tryclopyr. Can mix w diesel or water. No need to cut the plants down but if you do just spray on the stumps. Also a generic name at least in North Texas is clear pasture. Careful of using too close to large trees as it can kill them. Good luck,

 

[Rule292]

I don't use Glyphosate in my brush program, like to leave the grass, anybody noticed the shortage of this and the cost has doubled from last year. Another thing to think about is timing, tree needs to be out of the leaf growing stage otherwise you just kill the leaves and not the tree.

That's exactly the advice the agronomist/biologist from the extension service gave me a few years when I stopped and asked them about controlling our Alianthus tree population. Hit them with a good Triclopyr like Garlon 4 and surfacant oil once the hot weather hits and they can take in the herbicide from basal bark treatment or hack and squirt.

 

[Pedals2Paddles]

Yes definitely don't mix in Glyphosate or Pramitol if you want to keep the grass growing around the brush. Tryclopyr, 24d, dicamba, and mcpp are all selective, only killing broadleaf and not grass.

Glyphosate is not selective and will kill everything. Pramitol is a soil sterilizer and prevent anything from growing back for months or more. Both will help kill the privet when combined with Triclopyr, but are not needed. Useful if you're clearing trails in the woods for example. Not useful clearing brush from pasture.

 

[TK Franklin]

This is all very helpful.... thank you guys...

 

[RalphVa]

I used the special Roundup that has a bit of trichlor in it to kill some English Ivy that had gotten too invasive. Think it would kill the privet, probably anything green.