Need fast way to dispose of large amount of yard waste (vines/twigs)

NetWareHead

THAT guy
Aug 10, 2002
5,847
154
106
I have 2 medium sized trees that fell in the winter due to too much snow. They were being surrounded and absolutely choked with vines that squeezed the hell out of them. Being in such a weakened state, the trees couldn't handle the normal amount of winter snowfall and broke off. I'm finally getting around to cutting them up this summer.

I have no problem using a chain saw to chop up the trees and thick vines into firewood sized pieces. The other problem is what to do with the enormous amount of smaller vines and twigs. There are 10s of wheelbarrows full worth of yard waste that I need to get rid of. I stopped at home depot and asked about renting a chipper/shredder, at least this way the resulting wood chips can be used as much or compost. The man behind the counter advised against it. Said that thin small vines and twigs will wrap up around the spinning blades and jam the machine up. He told me that I will be very dissatisfied with the machine if I am going to use it for vines.

How the hell do I clean all of this up? I would hate to snip and cut all of the vines into small sizes that can be bagged and put on the curbside. Burning either is not really an option since the town frowns on bonfires, and even so I would rather burn firewood logs then little twigs/vines. Bagging is looking like the only option which I am dreading....any ideas?
 
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KoolAidKid

Golden Member
Apr 29, 2002
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0
76
Look on craigslist, there are usually guys with trucks that will haul stuff for you. You can have them take it to the dump or local yard waste facility.
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
106
Burn it.

Unfortunately, that's probably illegal... but who's to say you didn't pile all your leaves up into piles, then accidentally tipped over a pale of gasoline then dropped a cigarette onto it? Hmmmmmm?
 

NetWareHead

THAT guy
Aug 10, 2002
5,847
154
106
I really can't burn it all. The town allows firepits or BBQs, not big bonfires. I have no room for a bonfire due to space/safety reasons. I can't keep this stuff around in the backyard near the fallen trees while I slowly burn it in a firepit...there is just so much of it. I just can;t believe there is no machine I can rent or hire. I'm a little skeptical about the home depot rental, can chipper/shredders really be bogged down and jammed up by twigs and vines?
 

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
41,596
19
81
It's not poison ivy vines, is it? If so, burning it might not be a good ideal, legal or not. :eek:
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,067
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I was half serious about the baskets btw. You can make useful stuff with vines, including privacy screens, and tomato cages instead of using metal wire. If you really want them gone, look into renting a container. I don't know how much it costs, but it shouldn't be too bad.
 

iRONic

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2006
7,994
3,316
136
How the hell do I clean all of this up?
Ohman... any local tree service companies? Mebbe they'd chip it. Local U-Haul rental? Try a one day chipper rental. If it bombs out-- not much $$ lost. If it works--win!

Be careful, mang!
 

dabuddha

Lifer
Apr 10, 2000
19,579
17
81
When I had a bunch of yard waste, I dumped out in batches with my regular trash pickup ( 2 x a week). I stuffed the wheeled trash bin they give us till it was full then put a couple of trash bags on top.
 

NetWareHead

THAT guy
Aug 10, 2002
5,847
154
106
It's not poison ivy vines, is it? If so, burning it might not be a good ideal, legal or not. :eek:

Yeah there are definitely poison ivy vines in there. I'm immune to it so I have no problem handling the vines and have already cut the hanging ones down to the floor. I'm not going to burn them for that reason too. My skin may be immune but I'm not sure about my lungs/trachea.
 

iRONic

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2006
7,994
3,316
136
When I had a bunch of yard waste, I dumped out in batches with my regular trash pickup ( 2 x a week). I stuffed the wheeled trash bin they give us till it was full then put a couple of trash bags on top.
Is it one of these auto-arm ones?

resources.ashx


My neighbor drives one. He showed me the 7" monitor they have in the cab conneced to the camera in the back.
 

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
You can be immune to Poison Ivy? How cool is that?

:music: The more you know...:music:
 

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
4
0
Get a 55 gallon drum, then burn it. Get the kids to roast marshmallows over the fire.
 

NetWareHead

THAT guy
Aug 10, 2002
5,847
154
106
You can also slowly build up a sensitivity to it. It's best to avoid contact even if you don't have issues.

Oh believe me, I don't try to tempt fate and needlessly touch it. But these same branches/vines were also touched by my gf and her mom and both of them developed severe poison ivy. Me on the other hand, nothing. So now I also lost any and all help with the cleaning which is why I was looking for a shredding machine or some kind to get rid of it.
 

Ruptga

Lifer
Aug 3, 2006
10,246
207
106
If you can't cart it off then spread some empty beer bottles around, light it on fire, and walk away. Blame it on highschoolers.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,603
13,982
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If it doesn't fit in my green waste barrel, (large trash can), I just pile the green waste in the street and let the city come pick it up.

(they do green waste pickup once per month)