Mesquite

Remember seeing two large Dozers with a huge chain attached to each one clearing swaths of mesquites, seemed effective?

That will clear them but you’ll have to spray the sprouts

Mesquite is an absolutely beautiful wood. i love working with it.

I have chained several hundred acres just to get the grass going. It doesn't rid the mesquites. To get rid of them you either need to do a good job of spraying or root plow. Unless you cut a mesquite off below the bud zone it will re-sprout. That's what you get when you just cut one off and leave it. One becomes 5 or 6 from the same system. If you don't have too many and they are rather tall you can basil treat them when the soil is dry and pulled away away from the trunk. Almost a 100% kill doing that when done properly.

^^^^^

Chaining when done in warm weather is rough on snakes....but some folks might consider that a benefit. Mesquite is always an ongoing battle.

If you want to get it done I’d say go ahead and hire/rent a cat 320 sized excavator and grub them. We have one, and it is my preferred method of grubbing mesquite of any size and density. If very thick we will usually use a dozer or track loader to pile behind the track hoe, and if desired a skid steer to come though and clean up small stuff.

I’ve grubbed with a dozer, excavator, skid steer, and even a a little with a mini ex. If the plants are wrist sized or bigger a mid sized excavator is the best tool for the job, especially in tight ground

Of course follow up spraying will likely be required to keep an area clean. And if plants aren’t too dense Individual plant spraying ahead of time could be a good idea. Out west, I’ve seen entire areas sprayed aerially and brush left standing to rot so there are options for every scenario and budget.

Very effective, we did it a lot for large acreage. Soils got to be the right moisture though so it doesn't break them off.

This. Hack and squirt. You can use Remedy or Tordon RTU.

Yep. I’m a big fan of aerial spray, but grubbing is about the only way to clear if you want the trees gone NOW.

Huck & Hog,got some questions if you don't mind.

Apply as Remedy states or just on the cut surface? Remedy directions; "Spray the root collar area, sides of the stump, and the outer portion of the cut surface, including the cambium"

This work for larger diameter mesquites? 4"-8" + diameter at base? Water solution w/suf, oil mix, or diesel mix if not the same?

Straight Remedy or a mix; reclaim, etc?

Says spray anytime even winter to stump, recommend that? Cut as close to ground level as possible?

Got a number of larger mesquites that need to be removed, any idea on how long until sure no regrowth?

We use this technique on both large and small. Just mix the remedy per instructions. I just use remedy and water and put it in a pump up sprayer. Cut the tree close to the ground and immediately after the cut spray the stump where you cut it. That is spray the cut, I don't worry about trying to spray the bark. I do this regardless of time of year, seems to work just the same. The main thing is don't wait to spray. Make the cut and then spray the cut. Don't cut ten trees and then go back and spray.

When working on small trees we use loppers, two man operation. One cuts and the other sprays. You can move very quickly with two people working.

Try a couple next time you go out to test. You will know in a month or two if it worked.

Great info, thanks! This place is golden.

I love mesquite. Our fireplace mantel is a large slab of mesquite...

Outstanding, that's as clear as ca be on answering the questions & how long until sure it's dead.

Appreciate the clear info..

Couple of final questions/"make sure's", looks like a basic ratio is 3/4 oz to 2 oz per 2 gallon pump sprayer. That sound about right?

Again, appreciate the help & response

https://texnat.tamu.edu/about/brush-busters/mesquite/stem-spray-method/

If you are spraying small tree's that are smooth see above...

I would use more than 2 ounces per gallon personally to ensure I won't have to do it again, if you cut, then spray and it doesn't kill it, it will come back as a multi-shooted brush.