Clearing a heavy brush area can seem overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. The easiest route would be to use a bulldozer. But not everyone has this heavy piece of equipment in their garage. With a little help from a heavy brush killer and some tools in your garage, you’ll have that area cleaned up in no time.
The experts at Lawn and Petal have highlighted four products that will tackle any job. Follow the charts to select the best product for your needs.
Crossbow
Crossbow is one of the best products that you can use for cleaning up heavy brush. It combines two products that kill vines, briars, and shrubs. Best of all, Crossbow has little to no impact on grasses.
Dilute Crossbow in water and treat any heavy brush area that is below your shoulders. For small trees larger than 1” in diameter, cut the tree and treat the stump. Follow the basal bark directions on the label if you’d rather kill these trees first.
The only downside to Crossbow is you can’t use it near water or in hot, windy, dry temperatures.
Alligare Triclopyr 3
Alligare Triclopyr 3 uses one of the same ingredients as Crossbow. However, it is safer to use near water than Crossbow.
Like Crossbow, Alligare Triclopyr 3 won’t kill grass and is safe under trees. Be sure not to spray exposed roots or trunk of trees you don’t want damaged. To use, dilute Alligare Triclopyr 3 with water based on the type of brush you need to kill.
Ortho GroundClear Vegetation Killer
No mixing is required on this one and ready to use as is. Just pour into a 1-gallon spray pump and begin killing heavy brush. This product will kill mostly anything from grasses to small tree saplings. However, do not use this product under any trees that you do not want damaged. Ortho GroundClear Vegetation Killer has a herbicide that can be absorbed by roots, including desirable trees. Grasses will be killed if they come in contact with this product.
Roundup Custom
Roundup herbicides are recognizable and reliable. You’ve likely used something similar for years to treat weeds growing within the cracks of your driveway. The difference is this product is concentrated and much, much stronger.
Roundup Custom is safe around water and a great brush killer for around fence rows. Spray this product along fence rows to prevent continuous use with a weedeater.
Roundup Custom comes in a concentrated formula and can be mixed with water for the desired strength. It can even be used to kill trees by treating cut stumps immediately with a concentrated formula.
Heavy Brush Killer comparison tables
| Kills tree sprouts? | Kills vines? | Kills briar? | Kills grass? | Kills the entire plant? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crossbow | YES | YES | YES | NO | YES |
| Alligare Triclopyr 3 | YES | YES | YES | NO | YES |
| Ortho GroundClear Vegetation Killer | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Roundup Custom | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Safe near grass? | Safe near water? | Safe under trees? | No Mixing With Water | Extended Control? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crossbow | YES | NO | YES | NO | NO |
| Alligare Triclopyr 3 | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| Ortho GroundClear Vegetation Killer | NO | NO | NO | YES | YES |
| Roundup Custom | NO | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| Foliar Application | Cut-Stump Treatment | Basal Bark Treatment |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Crossbow | YES | YES | YES |
| Alligare Triclopyr 3 | YES | YES | NO |
| Ortho GroundClear Vegetation Killer | YES | NO | NO |
| Roundup Custom | YES | YES | NO |
Some helpful tips to consider when clearing heavy brush:
- Do not spray any areas over your head.
- For plants with a stem greater than 1 inch, use a basal bark or cut stump application of brush killer.
- Clear an overgrown area in layers. Begin by spraying on the outside. Wait a couple of weeks for the brush to die, then remove. Repeat this process again until the areas is clear.
- Spring and Fall are the best time to kill heavy brush. The plants are either coming out of dormancy, or entering into, and more susceptible to heavy brush killer products.
- Always follow the label for any product that you use.
Any of these heavy brush killers will be effective to clean up that unsightly area. Use these easy to follow charts to help select the best product for your job. If unsure or need help determining the best way to clean up an overgrown area, connect with us through the “Ask the Expert” feature.
