Need land management help

[wintram]

My family and I have recently purchased a 30 acre tract of Woods in west central Indiana. Problem is it has a lot of vines. It's not old growth probably 20 or so years mostly maple and locust. Not sure if I should log some of it to help clear out the vine problem and off set some cost or just give the boy a machete and hope for the best. I am hesitant about talking to log buyers without getting all my facts straight. Any advise?

 

[eric001]

Machetes and vines go well together--it's a cheap solution and will keep your boy busy and out of trouble for quite a while. I hope none of them are poison ivy though! Been down that road when I was a kid, clearing a lot that was overgrown with "innocent" vines that turned out to be very vile and very very nasty to take care of without getting covered.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Down south, kudzoo is a problem...a very bad problem. I'd heard of folks bringing goats out and letting them work on them. I don't have first hand knowledge but if your property is fenced already, it might be worth a try...if you have some time to let them work.

 

[wintram]

Definately not poison ivy or kudzu. Not sure what the proper name is but it's a woody vine ranging in all sizes from approx 6 inches in diameter to 1/2 inch. And unfortunately no fence for goats

 

[KJW]

You're probably describing what is known as (wild) grape vine. It will just grow back if all you do is cut it. Spray the cut ends with a 20% concentration of glyphosphate. Get it off your desirable trees first.

 

[bocefus78]

20 year old maples and locust won't bring much $ so I personally wouldn't log it.

If or when you decide you are ready to log, hire a forester to work the sale for you. He will talk to the buyers, not you. He will hire the loggers, trucks, get you more $, because the more $ you make, the more $ he makes.

As to the vines, cut and apply an herbicide that will work on the vine. I'd use tordon rtu instead of glyphosate.

 

[Leadeye]

Cut the vines off of the higher value trees and leave the rest, they are good food for wildlife.

 

[nkhrfh]

My pheasant hunting partner is an independent forestry consultant. Like bocefus said, they handle all of it. PM me if you decide to go that route and I will get you in touch.

 

[farmerdan]

Down south, kudzoo is a problem...a very bad problem. I'd heard of folks bringing goats out and letting them work on them. I don't have first hand knowledge but if your property is fenced already, it might be worth a try...if you have some time to let them work.

When we had some property out past Coverdale we bought three pygmy goats and I set enough fence post to move them around a few acres at a time and they cleaned up everything they could reach. Once it was all cleared we sold them . They are escape artist but are worth the trouble.

 

[Young William]

We cut our grape vines off at the ground and them 3 or 4 feet up in the air. Then spray both ends with Pathway.
Here is the link to the stuff we use:

Pathway Herbicide RTU, 2.5 Gal. | Forestry Suppliers, Inc.

 

[BStarkey 46947]

All good advice so far.

In the winter I mix 8-10% Crossbow or generic Crossroads with kerosene and apply a soaking at the base of invasive species and vines. The plants need to be in dormancy for this method to work and it is much cooler than Spring/Summer work.

 

[Tactically Fat]

Can I ask near where in W. Central Indiana?

That's my old stomping grounds!

 

[Hammer]

Cut the vines and treat the cut end with 20% Garlon 4 and 80% Basal Oil or Kerosene. The basal oil will be a better carrier but more expensive.

This will also work on small trees and vines as a basal application without cutting.

[video=youtube;eXucasgGToc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXucasgGToc[/video]

Forestry Basal Oil Carrier with Dye 5 Gallons by Alligare | eBay

http://smile.amazon.com/Garlon-Ultr...=UTF8&qid=1463187228&sr=8-2&keywords=garlon+4

 

[PistolBob]

Kudzu won't grow up here

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Kudzu won't grow up here

I'm pretty sure I've seen a good sized area of it down around Shoals.

 

[AndrewG]

I had a similar situation when I move in to my house but only had to deal with 3 acres. Easier to deal with when the leaves haven't popped as one can walk around quickly and less chance to get poison ivy. Lopping shears and an axe for the bigger ones. Every time I went for walk, I chopped and painted. 30 acres is a lot more.

 

[wintram]

All great advise and very much appreciated thank you.

 

[yetti462]

Cut the vine close to the ground and apply tordon, pathway, garlon or a 50/50 mix of glyphosate to the stump. Best time to treat is September/October, this time of year the root system is storing nutrients and sucks the herbicide down and you'll get a good kill. Like mentioned above a mix of garlon4 and basal oil and just treating the first 12" above ground will work too. The garlon4 is expensive juice.