Removing Cat-tails?

[beastmaster]

We were ask to look at a job at the local botanical gardens. In an undeveloped back lot is a large pound and they want a bid on removing the cat-tails from the shore and an island.
Anyone ever do this type of job before? Were going to check it out, pull on them and what-not to see what it takes to get them out, but I know in some areas it probably a common job and there may-be a trick or Technic involved, but its a new thing to us. Any advice would be appreciated.
The area the ponds located is in a out of bounds back lot. I have been working there for years and never knew it was there. The Boss told me you can see monster bass swimming around in there. I foresee many late long work days, even into the night. Hope no pesty bass get in the way. Beastmaster

 

[dingeryote]

beast,

First ya gotta clean those Bass outta there.
I can't prove it, but I swear they spread Cattails.

Honestly, ya have two options.
Dredge 'em out, or nuke 'em with aquatic herbicides.

From there, you're in for a constant battle to keep 'em from sneaking back in.

Dredging raises hell with the pond ecostructure and can really screw up the pond health, as well as tearing things all to hell around the pond, and then ya gotta deal with the trailings.

On the Chem side, as a lisc. applicator you're gonna have to use the stuff labeled for aquatic use like Rodeo...which is plain old Glyphosate, just labeled for aquatic so it costs 4 times as much.

Then there's the whole state and Fed. compliance nightmare, and possibly another sub Cat. certification requirement.
Still better for the pond than dredging, or hand pulling 50,000 Cattail roots.

Our north farm is overrun on the west side around the pond with the things. On firm ground an unrestricted, Gly/AMS does a good job on them.

Something to ponder over while wearing the blades off a Buzzbait, anyhow.

Stay safe!
Dingeryote

 

[wingshot]

I don't know how fanatical the pond huggers are in Cali, but here in Virginia it's always worth a check with your local environmental agency, or the Corps of Engineers to make sure you dont need to pull a wetlands permit for disturbance. I know it sounds crazy, but I've run into that when removing cattails from a BMP on the back of a commercial site.

Monster bass, huh? That sounds like the perfect spot for a 10+ foot fly rod and a mouse or frog fly dangled just off the tip between the cattails. Either way, have fun. Pulled an 11 lb. bass out of a 1/2 acre pond here last August. Little ponds with good nutrition and cover can produce some real whoppers.

 

[treeseer]

[ beastmaster i have a nightmare with japanese iris in my own pond. getting enough leverage to pull roots while feet sink deeper is a backbreaker. i'm gonna try snagging em low with a pole hook from shore--I'll let ya know if it works.

 

[lfnh]

If the pond water level is constant, cutting them off 6" below water line will kill them off. Just have to make sure they stay submerged after cutting. Try getting it done before seed heads start dispersing...

fwiw.

 

[dingeryote]

Been eyeballing this thing from RedMax for several uses.
Cattails is one of 'em, as the trimmer head can be submerged.

Might need a johnboat though...hmmm...John Boat and a new trolling motor as a business expense. I gotta look at Trolling motors.

Stay safe!
Dingeryote

 

[beastmaster]

RedMax - RECIPROCATOR
Just the excuse I've been looking for to bring my kayak. beastmaster

 

[pdqdl]

In addition to Rodeo, use Diquat (generic name). Labeled for aquatic use, it will help control.