It’s frustrating to look at areas of your lawn or property that are overrun with brush and hard-to-kill vines and weeds. They’re extremely difficult to get rid of, and they ruin the look of your yard.
There are plenty of products on the market that can help you. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the best brush killer and getting your gorgeous yard back.
Table of Contents
The 10 Best Brush Killers For Your Yard
If you’re looking for the best way to get rid of pesky vines, tree stumps, or wooded weeds, here are 10 of the best brush killers on the market.
BioAdvanced Brush Killer works fast and is effective against a variety of plant pests, including poison ivy, blackberry, bramble, and more than 60 other types of brush and weeds. Best of all, you only need a single application.
The special formula penetrates deep, killing plants to the root. It’s rainproof in four hours and works so quickly, you should see wilting and yellowing in as little as one to six weeks. Spray plants until they’re wet, but not dripping so the formula doesn’t affect anything but what you’re trying to kill.
This 32-ounce bottle of concentrated formula can be applied using a pump-style or hose-end sprayer and treats up to 4,000 square feet. It’s so effective that when used at full strength, it can even kill stumps.
2. Roundup Concentrate Poison Ivy Plus Tough Brush Killer
If you’re looking for something that promises to work fast, take a look at this brush killer from Roundup. It uses two different brush killing agents to kill the toughest ivies and weeds, with visible results in as little as 24 hours.
To apply, use a tank sprayer and dilute according to the instructions on the packaging. This 32-ounce bottle is enough to cover up to 1,200 square feet, which makes it ideal for large areas.
For best results, apply when the weeds are actively growing. If unsatisfied with the results, reapply in four weeks. This product is covered by a satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not happy for any reason, just send in your proof of purchase, and Roundup will give you your money back.
The weed and brush killer from Southern Ag is powerful enough to control most trees and brush. It can be used on grass pastures, rangeland, and other non-crop areas around your home.
To apply, use between four and six ounces in three gallons of water in a tank sprayer. Application rates vary, and there’s a lot of useful information on the label. Spray directly to foliage, thoroughly wetting it and avoiding drips.
You can use a surfactant on stubborn plants to increase effectiveness. Results should appear within 10 to 14 days. If you’re not getting the results you wanted, a second application may be necessary. This formula does have a strong smell, so avoid applying on windy days.
4. VPG Fertilome 32295 Brush Stump Killer
VPG Fertilome is formulated with Triclopyr to kill any unwanted brush, vines, and unwanted woody plants around your home, along trails, or in any non-crop areas. This formula is ready to go right out of the bottle and should not be diluted.
To kill stumps, apply using a paintbrush to the freshly cut surface. For other plants and vines, apply with a spray bottle. VInes should be cut down first, exposing the inner layers. In some cases, a second application may be needed.
One of the best things about this product is that it stays where you put it. If you’re careful, you don’t have to worry about it dripping when you apply it so you’ll only kill the plants you want to eliminate.
5. Southern Ag 01113 Brush Weed Killer
Southern Ag brush killer can be used in any non-crop area, including pastures, rangeland, and along roadsides. It’s also extremely effective anywhere in your yard or around the outside of your home.
This brush killer is really easy to use, even on vines and other hard to control plants. It takes about a week or so to see results, and a second application may be necessary to completely eliminate stubborn growth.
For stumps, apply undiluted. When applying to plants and vines, dilute between four to eight ounces in a gallon of water and apply using a sprayer. This should cover about 500 square feet. There are 32-ounces of concentrate in the bottle, so you should get a lot of coverage, depending on how strong you mix it.
6. Ortho MAX Poison Ivy & Tough Brush Killer
One of the most convenient options is this brush killer from Ortho. This ready-to-use formula comes with a comfort spray nozzle so you don’t have to worry about getting a pump sprayer. Plus, it has an extended arm that makes it easy to reach high vines and low brush.
This formula kills more than 60 different types of weeds and brush, including poison oak, poison ivy, and wild blackberries. It’s also effective against woody stumps and vines. Because this product is rainproof within two hours, you don’t have to worry too much about the weather when applying. Just wait for a clear day with not a lot of wind, and you’re set.
Another great thing about this product is it’s covered by a customer guarantee. If you’re not happy, get in touch, and they’ll try to make it right.
7. BrushTox Brush Killer with Triclopyr
This concentrated brush killer from BrushTox is designed for use in many areas, including grass pastures, rangeland, ditch banks, fencerows, and just about anywhere crops aren’t grown. It’s a great option for broadleaf weeds and woody plants and can be used to remove stumps.
The formula works on more than 90 different plants, including woody plants like oaks, wild rose, mesquite, and broadleaf plants like poison ivy, dandelion, and thistle. There are three ways to apply, and you should see results in about two weeks.
Use a pump sprayer to mix and apply directly to the leaves of smaller brush plants. For trees and woodier plants, cut the stump close to the ground and apply the spray right away, saturating the stump but avoiding runoff. You can also use a basal bark application by mixing the brush killer with a surfactant and applying it to the bottom few inches of the trunks, close to the ground.
8. Image Brush & Vine Killer Concentrate
If you prefer a concentrate, another great option is this brush and vine killer from Image. It kills a variety of plants, including poison ivy, poison sumac, blackberries, kudzu, and poison oak.
This product can also be used to kill stumps, and it’s so effective, you don’t have to worry about any kind of regrowth. It comes in a 32-ounce bottle that, when diluted, covers as much as 4,000 square feet, making it a great choice if you have a lot of ground to cover.
One of the best things about this product is that you can replant the area in only a month. This is extremely convenient and a significantly shorter time than some of the other products out there.
Ortho GroundClear is effective against a wide range of woody plants and weeds, including blackberries, ragweed, elderberry, elm, poison ivy, poison oak, ragweed, and ground ivy. It comes with a satisfaction guarantee, too, so get in touch if you’re not happy and they’ll take care of you.
This easy-to-use product is ready to apply and comes with an extendable comfort wand that provides a continuous spray to ensure even coverage. The applicator is perfect for getting into those hard-to-reach areas around your home.
For best results, apply directly to mature leaves when the weed is actively growing. It’s best to wait until a day when the air is calm so you don’t risk having the spray blown away from its target. This product is rainproof in only two hours and should start to deliver results within 24 hours of application.
10. Bonide BND331 Poison Ivy and Brush Killer
Bonide’s brush killer works against a variety of pesky plants, like poison ivy, wild blackberries, dandelion, cloves, and more than 240 other woody weeds and vines. You can also use it for stump removal by using a paintbrush to apply it directly to a freshly cut stump.
Something that’s really great about this product is that it’s safe for certain lawn grasses when used as directed, which makes application a little easier because you don’t have to worry as much about any product dripping onto your lawn.
Read the label carefully for instructions about how to mix the concentrate for the best results. It should be applied using a pump or tank sprayer, and it stays where spray. One application is typically enough, and you should see results in two to three weeks.
Types of Brush Killers
There are basically two types of brush killer: concentrate and ready-to-use.
Concentrated brush killers have to be mixed with water before application. There’s usually a detailed guide for how to mix concentrate on the product label. Generally, you should use a stronger concentration for plants that are particularly hard to kill.
The exception to this is if you’re using the product to kill a tree stump. In this case, most products should be applied right from the bottle, without diluting it with water. Stumps are very difficult to kill, which is why you have to use most of these products at full strength.
Ready-to-use brush killers come premixed in a large container that includes a wand for easy application. These are generally not as effective on stumps because they’re not as concentrated, but you may still have some success if you follow the instructions carefully.
When is the Best Time to Spray Brush Killer?
Timing is important. Not only do you have to choose the right brush killer, but you also have to apply it at the right time for maximum effect. The simple answer is to apply a brush killer when the weeds are actively growing, but there are a few other things to consider.
Because of how most of these formulas work, brush killers should be applied to mature leaves during periods of active growth. Brush killer enters the plant through the leaves and travels to the roots, and this process happens much faster when the plant is actively growing.
Another thing to consider is the weather. Read the package instructions carefully to determine how long it takes the product you’re using to be water-resistant. For some, this is in as little as two hours. For others, it might be days.
This is important to keep in mind because if the product you’re using needs more time to be absorbed into the leave, a rain shower will wash the effective ingredients away before the product gets a chance to really start working.
You also have to consider the wind. Applying these harsh chemicals on a windy day is not recommended because it gets very hard to apply the product precisely. Some of it will inevitably blow away, landing on healthy plants and potentially causing extensive damage.
Read the instructions carefully to see if the product mentions anything about ideal temperatures or what time of day it should be applied. Sometimes, temperatures that are too hot aren’t ideal because the plants aren’t growing as quickly, meaning the brush killer will be less effective.
Applying these and other weed killers in the early morning is usually a good idea. Avoid the middle of the day and early afternoon when the sun is highest and the day is usually hitting its peak temperature.
How to Use Brush Killer?
The first thing you should do is cover any plants or flowers you want to keep safe, especially on windy days. These products are pretty powerful and can kill anything they come in contact with, so if you have plants that mean a lot to you, the best thing to do is cover them.
Wear long sleeves and pants, gardening gloves, and safety glasses to protect yourself as you work.
If you’re using a concentrate, follow the instructions on the package for how to mix it. Usually, you will need a pump or tank sprayer, but if you have a smaller area to cover, a spray bottle can sometimes work best.
If you’re using a ready-to-spray brush killer, you don’t have to worry about mixing anything. Just read the instructions to learn how to use the attached spray handle.
Some people like to use a surfactant when applying a brush killer. This is an additional ingredient that you either spray on the leaves before applying the chemical brush killer or that you mix in with it.
Surfactant helps the liquid brush killer stick better to the leaves, making sure that as much as possible gets absorbed. There are plenty of commercial surfactants available if you plan to go this route.
Now, you’re ready to start applying. Squeeze the trigger and apply the liquid directly to the leaves of the plants you’re trying to kill. Saturate them, but avoid dripping if possible.
If you’re trying to eliminate vines or tree stumps, follow the manufacturer directions. Most of them suggest applying the concentrate itself directly to a freshly cut stump. Others may give you an option for basal bark application when you apply the spray to the bottom few inches of the tree trunk without cutting it down first.
After application, you wait. These products can take anywhere from one to 10 weeks for the full effects to be seen. Clean up any dead vegetation using gloves, and apply a second coat if you’re not getting the results you want.
The result after 1 week of using brush killer
FAQs
1. Difference Between Weed Killer and Brush Killer
The biggest difference between weed and brush killer is that brush killer is much stronger. While weed killers can handle some invasive plants pretty easily, brush killers are more effective on those that are extremely difficult to get rid of.
One of the reasons for this is that the woody stems and vines are just a little harder to kill. That’s why when you’re trying to kill a tree stump, you have to use most products at full strength.
2. How Long Does It Take for Brush Killer to Work?
It depends on the product, the plant, and the application. If you use a stronger recommended concentration and apply it in the right way at the right time of day, you may see results in as little as 24 hours.
Early results like yellowing leaves are encouraging because they show that the plant is reacting to the brush killer. That said, it still takes time for the chemicals to work their way through the plant and into the roots.
Most of these products will give you full results in about eight to 10 weeks.
3. Does Brush Killer Kill Grass or Trees?
Unless the product specifically says it’s safe for trees and grass, you should assume that it’s harmful and take the proper precaution.
Wrap the bottom of your trees to prevent the brush killer from coming in contact with the bark. Although this might not kill the tree right away, it can damage it which may lead to a lot of problems down the line.
If you’re applying these products to plants around your lawn, be very careful when applying. Avoid drips. You only want to get the brush killer on the leaves of what you’re trying to kill.
You should also check the label to see how long you have to wait before replanting. Some of these products get into the soil and cause some damage, so you have to wait until some time has passed before you can plant anything.
Conclusion
If you’re struggling with stubborn weeds like poison ivy, brambles, or wild blackberries, we know how frustrating it is. Sometimes, it seems like no matter what you do, you just can’t get them under control.
This product works with a single application and promises to kill plants at the root. It’s rainproof in only four hours, and you should start seeing results in as little as one to six weeks. The 32-ounce bottle of concentrated formula treats up to 4,000 square feet, enough to cover just about any yard.
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