There is no doubt about it, using a high powered strimmer or brushcutter to cut back excessive growth on neglected areas, is the only way to tackling volume projects in areas that are difficult to access with specialist ride on machines such as tractor mounted flails or ground mounted chain flails gorse busters.
There is an argument which I am prepared to accept where a slasher, 'fag' hook or bill hook, might be as effective or maybe even a scythe if the terrain is not too severe, and the brambles and brush not to woody.
But for non stop activity, using a brush cutting blade, mechanisation is the way to go.
Brambles, especially when they are two years old or more, seem daunting and you can be forgiven for thinking that what is possibly only two to four hours work, looks more like a week.
It is always best to have an assistant (obviously do your own visual risk assessment) using a heavy duty muck prong or long handled fork.
Start at the edge of a patch and assess which direction is easiest to work to. Get your assistant to lift, as close to the base as possible, the jumble of briar's so that the stems are under pressure and being stretched.
Undercut as close to the base as you can using the blade making sure that the blade stays square to the ground. You do not want to dig into the soil or worse, hit stones, glass or metal objects that may reside in the undergrowth.
As the first few stems ar cut, whole blocks of the bramble will be released. Take a close look and you will normally see a cluster of multi stems coming from one root but often a metre or more of space can exist between the next root.
I like to roll the clumps over and then, either using a scaffold board or just your fee (as long as you have protective footwear) stand on the clumps. Most of the clump is air and it will compress. Now roll over again and keep cutting at the stems.
Carry on as far and is practical. Can either side of the clump releasing it and remove to the fire heap.
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