Invasive Plant Removal Tool Library

Tool Library

WREC has a variety of tools that can be used to remove invasive plants or plant natives.  These tools can be checked out for 2 weeks at a time by community members for free.  Borrowers will need to pick up and drop off the tools at WREC’s office in the Big Four Depot.  Pick up and drop off times will be arranged after submitting a form through the link below.

Plant Auger Drill Bit

With minimal effort, this tool digs holes for plugs in a second, and makes a large planting install go very quickly!  This drill bit can be fitted in to most standard electric drills that accept a hex head.  Simply set the drill to the lowest setting (maximum torque), place the business end against the ground where you want to plant your plug, and press go!  

Pullerbear

The Pullerbear is a heavy duty tool that is great for wrenching shrubs and small trees out of the ground.  It has jagged teeth and a jaw that will close when pressure is applied.  Those teeth and jaw clamp on to the base of a small tree or shrub, then you just push down on the lever and the invasive plant is wrenched out of the ground, roots and all!

Soil Knives

Soil knives, also known as gardening knives or hori hori knives, are a Japanese gardening tool similar to a hand-held spade.  Soil knives are incredibly sturdy and have both a sharp edge and a serrated edge.  They are great for loosening soil, prying out herbaceous plants, and sawing through thick weeds.

Folding Hand Saw

Folding hand saws are a compact tool great for cutting through invasive shrubs in tight spaces.  They take some muscle, but can be used on honeysuckle that is either too big or too small for the pullerbear.  If you cut a honeysuckle shrub down with a handsaw, be sure to immediately treat the stump with a 20% glyphosate solution to kill the roots.  This is a great option for managing invasives when erosion is a concern and you don’t want to disturb the soil.

*Photo 1 is the end of a pullerbear. The jagged teeth clamp around the base of a shrub, and the long handle is used as a lever to wrench the shrub out of the soil. Photo 2 below is a soil knife. 

Request a Tool!

Tools can be borrowed for 1 week at a time. Please enter the date you wish to use the tool, and we will work to make that date mid-way through your week check-out period. Please allow 1 week lead time for us to process this request.