Getting rid of nightmare bushes - Help!?

Question

I have these horrific bushes all over our backyard. I'm not sure what they are (I'd love to know) - they are thorny, turn orangish-red in the fall, and have yellow root systems that look like they belong to a 7000 year old tree. I started digging some of them out last fall, when the soil was moist, and couldn't believe how extensive some of the root systems are. Anyway, I have a large cluster of them that I have to remove in the spring, and my plan as of now was just to cut back the branches and dig out the roots as best I can. I would love any suggestions on how to make this easier, or how to better ensure they won't grow back. I'm hesitant about using poisons b/c I am clearing the spot for a swingset and my toddler will be playing back there quite a bit. I'm sure at some point in his life he's going to decide he simply must know what dirt tastes like. I'd love any information on what these bushes are, and how to best get rid of them. I live in southwestern Connecticut. Thanks!

I would post a pic, but I didn't think it would be much help b/c the bush dropped it's leaves in fall. I'll look around and see if I can find an older pic of the backyard.

Ok I finally found out what it is - Japanese barberry. Apparently they are considered a 'noxious weed' in Connecticut.
http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/berberisthun.html
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/Plants/b/berthu/berthu1.html

Here are pics:
http://donwiss.com/pictures/F-2005-05-30/0041.jpg
http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/melody_1100724042_69.jpg

Now that we know what it is, any tips on killing them?

PS - I would love to bust out the tractor, but there's just no way of getting one in there.

Answer 1

Save your energy and use a product that contains the active ingredient called; "TRICLOPYR"!!! Triclopyr is sold at most of the hardware stores under the trade name of "Brush-Killer" or "Brush-B-Gone". It is used to control broad-leaved weeds/brush and it works very similar to Roundup. Although Roundup is somewhat effective in controlling some brush species, I've found Triclopyr to perform much better.

It can be applied as a spray or you can brush the product onto cut surfaces of branches and also does a great job in controlling Poison Oak/Poison Ivy as well as broad-leaved weeds found on turf/lawns.

I've used Triclopyr many times and have had excellent results. Here's some tips for you to follow when treating the Barberry plants;

IF YOU SPRAY; Apply the recommended amount of triclopyr mixed with water plus a non-ionic surfactant (also known as a "spreader-sticker") to thoroughly wet all leaves/foilage. Make sure to avoid any spray drift to desirable ornamental plants/vegetables in the area. Since Barberry has lots of foilage, you may have to make another application two months after your first treatment.

CUT-STUMP METHOD: Horizontally cut barberry stems at or near ground level. Immediately (within 15 minutes after cutting) apply a 25% solution of triclopyr and water to the cut stump, covering the outer 20% of the stump. IF POSSIBLE, try to use some non-ionic surfactant with this mixture so that it will adhere much better and reduce any run-off.

In either instance, once the barberry is dead, the roots will eventually rot/decay or you can excavate them.

Hope you find this information of some help and you're able to eliminate the Barberry bushes from your backyard! GOOD LUCK!

--Professional Certified Crop Consultant with over 30 years of experience and a Degree in Plant Science.

Answer 2

I'm not sure what the bushes are but I do know a very easy way to get them out.

On my parents farm we would get rid off bushes like that with the tractor. You'll want to make sure the tractor is big enough to do the job. I'd recommend at least a 40-50 horsepower tractor and it might be good to have some weights on the front. Get a drawbar and put it between the two hydraulic arms then wrap a chain around the base of the bush and then around the drawbar. Raise the hydraulic arms up and out pops the bush, roots and all. Don't try using a rope or cable. A rope or cable can stretch and come flying back at you if it snaps or comes loose.

You can do basically the same thing if you have a metal tripod, a chain, some paving/stepping stones and a come-along winch. Set the tripod over the top of the bush on three stepping stones so when you try pulling the bush out that the tripod doesn't sink into the ground. Wrap the chain around the base of the bush and connect it to the come-along which you hang from the top of the tripod. Then start slowly but surely winching the bush out of the ground with roots and all.

If you can't do either of those methods, then dig it out by hand or have a tree trimming company take it out of the ground for you.

Answer 3

sounds like a piracanther,are they a thorny bush,completly dig out,

Answer 4

take a photo mam show us what it is