DuckSouth.com

We bought land here in N TX 4 years ago and soon after began developing ponds and wetlands for dawg training and waterfowl hunting. We excavated down to clay and then used the removed dirt to build berms to contain the water. Everything has progressed well and each fall we are getting more birds as the ponds and wetlands season more. In the past we've planted sorghum, corn, Jap millet, buckwheat, barley and other crops in the spring and early summer. Some of it is reseeding on its own now.

Our problem starting last year has been a sudden proliferation of willows sprouting from the berms at waters edge. It is resistant to 50% glyphosate in a 2.5 oz/gal mix that knocked the snot out of poison ivy and water primrose that tried to get established. This spring I experimented using the brushhog and backing over the willows. It cuts through them without any problem but leaves too many sharp pieces protruding from the soil that could be extremely dangerous for my two Labs or guest dawgs when training or hunting.

Looks like manually cutting each and every one flush with the ground by hand with a branch cutter is my only plausible answer ... unless someone here has a better way to do it. Please!

Beavers or Brush killer

Try a bobcat with a mulcher attachment.

Try an aquatic labeled 2,4-D in early fall, more chemical will reach the roots resulting in a better kill although it may take a couple of applications. It's also cheaper than roundup.

Try the aqutic version of Arsenal. Its called Habitat. It works very well for us. Be careful not to get on any hardwoods as it will kill them as well.

Pond

why do you want cut the willows down.... the provide good cover.

Because willows suck all of the water from smaller ponds and wetlands. In addition, their root system weakens the berms and can cause errosion and ultimate failure. Other than that, no reason.

well that makes since... the above picture.. your saying the willows will affect that pond? or are you talkin bout other places of yours?

I know it is 5.00 a gallon but diesel fuel will kill them in a week. And it is slighlty illegal to spray but it works or so I have heard

Clarity + Roundup in October before frost. Will kill them dead as a hammer. Willows & cottonwoods were coming up around our ponds (6 foot tall trees in one year) and the above tankmix stopped them cold. Trick is to do it in the fall when they are taking nutrients down to the roots.