Clearing Invasive Shrubs on a Steep Slope with Basic Climbing Equipment - Dec. 24, 2021

Working on a slope clearing honeysuckle or other non-native invasive shrubs can be a challenge. Tricky footing and a roaring chainsaw make for a bad combination. In this video we describe how we use basic climbing gear to allow us to rappel down steep slopes, removing invasive shrubs along the way. We discuss how to use a figure-eight descender to control our descent, and how to use a Prusik to free up both hands for working. We also discuss the importance of leaving the root-ball in place on a slope to protect against erosion while the native plant community recovers. The proper and safe use of herbicides (glyphosate) to prevent resprouts is explained.

Oak Haven is a 60-acre private woodland in Southwestern Ohio near Cincinnati. Jim and Julie Varick both have degrees in Botany and over thirty years of experience in managing natural areas. They enjoy sharing their enthusiasm for the natural world and would like to build relationships with like-minded people to share knowledge and resources.

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[marky]

Always a pleasure to watch your videos. Was looking at a semi hidden area of our front lawn where we plan to remove the grass and establish a native garden to show our neighbors what they can plant to replace their non native trees, plants and shrubs, especially the invasive ones. While doing it I saw two good sized burning bushes in the woods we had missed. Their bark/stems made them obvious. we will remove them soon. Thanks for your continued inspiration. We recommend your channel all we can. Be careful on those slopes.

[jimmytokyo]

Extremely helpful - thank you. I have a steep bit of land I'm planning to clear and I don't have any climbing experience. Your advice was exactly what I needed.

[williamedwardlacostejr]

This video is LITERALLY what I needed. Gotta run a weed eater on 50 degree slopes.. thank you 🙏

[craigf.]

Like many others noted, this is a very helpful video--also the only one I was able to find on this topic. Thanks!

[DavesInUptown]

Excellent video, you clearly have command of the English language. You've precisely hit the mark for what I need to do. We live at the top of a 40-degree incline about 50 feet above the alley (not valley) below, in Los Angeles. I'm planting a native garden on the slope, which is below our back yard area. Working on the slope is a killer, soil slides down as I put pressure on it, and I've sat down hard a number of times to avoid tumbling down the hill and ending my gardening career. So I'm building a goat path halfway up the hill to facilitate weeding, planting, etc. This rappelling technique should work great. The only problem I have left to solve is how to avoid destroying all the new plants with the rope as I rappel.

[bern]

I'm so glad that I came across your video. I have tons of over grown brush, mostly scotch broom, on steep terrain that I've been wanting to clear but wasn't sure how. So thanks for your excellent video and for the Amazon links. I do have one question. Someone commented, I think in jest, that he was stuck at the bottom of the hill and didn't know how to ascend to the top. Not being a rock climber, I actually thought that was an excellent point. What's the most efficient/ safe way to get back up the hill? Maybe it will become obvious once I get setup. But I'd like to know your method or maybe a video link you would recommend that shows the best technique.
Thank you again. I just subscribed. And happy holidays!

[markjones]

fortunately we don't have quite the slopes you have, at least nothing as high. I was 'walking' on one this morning, it being a frosty morning, lost my footing constantly. perhaps a rope is the way to go :) Nothing too major on our slopes, garlic mustard mostly. Really enjoyed the video. These are all a great resource.

[indianolaguitarman]

Thanks for this detailed video. I may need to consult with a fellow steward about similar gear. I do English ivy removal from trees in Washington state and it gets tricky on similar slopes as yours to do the work and be stable. These techniques would help quite a bit.

[njmuni]

What kind of microphone do you use for your videos? It sounds great.

[bluyetiinc]

Thanks...I am not going to be able to sleep as I am still trying to work out that superman example.

[silvenepistola]

I followed your instructions and now I'm stuck at the bottom of a ravine. How do I ascend back?

[normanzink]

where is your link to the affiliate's supplies as mentioned?

[prophetpaddler]

What are you spraying on plant after cutting? Nice job on the video

[corniss]

Great idea. What do you do with the cut plants? The hardest part is pulling it on tarp to area to burn. Would be nice to have wood chipper.