Major Landscaping Advice

Not sure where to post this, because the question could involve power equipment.

I live in a hilly area of East Tennessee. On the side of my property, next to the driveway, there is a very steep incline. The incline does have ground cover, but has developed a very serious weed/tree issue. Due to the steep nature of the incline, I cannot get into position to be able to pull out the weeds without falling down the small hill. Most of the local gardeners do not want to touch it either because of the steep incline. So I thought I'd turn here for help. Here are some pics.











My goal is to cut everything down, and leave the ground cover. I think some weed killer is definitely in order, but how do I easily cut everything down without having to navigate the extremely steep incline.

Is there such a thing as a long chainsaw (maybe like 6-10 feet long) that 2 people can hold onto to just swipe over and cut everything down, or any other type of machine that could simplify the process?

I was thinking of a wheat harvester, but anything that is driven would not stay on the side of the incline.

What do you guys think? I'm at my wit's end.

-Pat

 

There is a pole saw, mainly designed for limbing trees but it might do what you want. Much of my property is just as steep but for the most part I let nature win.

 

Mark, he is probably your neighbor I have a DR Trimmer that I can attach a 12" chainsaw blade to. It walks through most 2 to 3" saplings with ease. Trimmer Mower String Trimmer: Accessory Value Pack | DR Power Equipment

 

Thanks guys.

I do have a brush cutter. The problem I run into is, with the ground cover, I can't tell where the incline starts (when approaching from my driveway). On my neighbor's side, I can't get up the hill far enough to reach anything with the brush cutter.

My first thought was to gently figure out where the incline begins, then actually place a string line above the ground at that location. Then try to use the brush cutter and go down as far as I can.

I'll look into the pole saw. Any other ideas?

-Pat

 

Pat, other than what you have in mind, the one thing I can think of is old metal baseball cleats for traction. They even hold on underbrush. Now, I also have a chain saw blade for a weed eater, but I don't remember if they are universal or make specific. It is smaller, and will still move through underbrush pretty well. The balance on it is a little better on a hillside than the DR Trimmer. One other thing, rather than using a string trimmer on a weed eater, I also have gone almost exclusively to the metal embedded blades. I don't have too much "pretty" stuff to scuff up, so the string is almost a thing of the past for me. I live in the North Georgia mountains, so I can relate to your situation very well.

 

Where in East Tennessee? I live in Johnson City.

Adding to the above comments, a climbing rope and harness would help going down the hill. Climbing up the hill would be more difficult.

Would this not kill the ground cover as well?

 

I'm in Kingsport close to i26 and afton (by the Bojangles on stone drive).

Yeah, I was afraid of the weed killer, but I'm really hating the way it's making my property look, and I am severely embarrassed of it. Haven't had any neighbors complain, but I just don't want to be that guy.

-Pat

 

Hey neighbor, I'm in front of holston mountain