Brambles are vigorous plants that are beneficial as long as they remain where you intend them to be. They can be found growing wild in hedgerows and woodlands, and their vigour means they can quickly spread to other areas of your garden.
Overall, brambles do have their benefits, especially for wildlife, so we advocate controlling these autumn-fruit-bearing plants rather than removing them completely. Read on to learn more about how to control brambles using a brush cutter.
Cutting back brambles and tough weeds with a brush cutter
A brush cutter is an ideal tool for cutting through large areas of brambles and other tough vegetation. Before you start, make sure you are prepared and check the manual for the safety instructions.
Preparation measures you should take before starting include:
- Avoid the use of the brush cutter close to pets or children.
- Wear appropriate safety gear which includes safety glasses and work gloves.
- Check your working environment before working and look for any obstacles that may damage your brush cutter blade. These include large rocks or boulders, fencing, wire, and gate posts. If you can, remove the obstacles if you spot any.
- If you are using a battery brush cutter, make sure the batteries are fully charged, and you have a spare in case you run them flat.
With the preparation done, you are now ready to start cutting brambles and other areas of tough weeds with your brush cutter. Follow our guidance below for the correct cutting technique:
- Adjust the shoulder harness (if you’re using one) so the tool is comfortable to carry and easy for you to manoeuvre.
- Position the cutting head slightly above ground level. At this height, brambles are the most rigid, so you’ll get a cleaner and more effective cut.
- Cut in a sweeping and steady motion, being careful not to go too fast. The slower you go, the cleaner the cut will be.
- Stop the brush cutter and clear as you go. Due to their sturdy nature, brambles can remain upright even after you’ve cut them. This will prove difficult to continue working through the bramble bush. The best way to work around this is to stop your cordless brush cutter and lay it carefully on the ground before you clear away the area you’ve cut so you can access the rest.
Why a brush cutter is the best tool for cutting back brambles and other tough weeds
Brambles are notoriously difficult to manage due to their tough stems and large barbs. Clearing with hand tools like secateurs and a pair of gloves is achievable, but it’s far easier to use a garden power tool like the EGO BC800E Brush Cutter.
Brush cutters are designed specifically to tackle tough vegetation and woody plants with their sturdy metal blade, slicing through a range of vegetation like brambles with ease. Other features make them the best tool for cutting back brambles, too:
Aiding visibility - The long drive shaft distances you from the cutting area which allows you to see your area of working more clearly.
Easy to use for long periods - Made from lightweight materials like aluminium and carbon fibre, the cordless brush cutter can be used all day without draining your energy.
Greater control - The bike handle design, like that of the EGO BCX3800 Brush Cutter, helps keep the tool balanced and easy to move around as you swing it over the vegetation.
Evenly balanced - Designed with most of the weight behind you, the tool’s mass is distributed evenly, which promotes easy manoeuvrability and handling.
The EGO range of cordless brush cutters
EGO has a wide variety of grass trimmers and cordless brush cutters. Some are ideal for trimming back borders of lawns and around the base of treeswhile others are better for tackling larger, overgrown areas.
To see which one is right for you and your needs, visit our grass trimmers and cordless brush cutters page and browse our range.
All EGO Power+, Professional and Pro-X brush cutters come with exceptional warranty. Each tool comes with a 5-year warranty for domestic use and up to 3 years for professional use.