Locust Thorns - Threat to tires?

[Nicfin36]

An observation from many years ago inspecting failed tires that when you wanted to cut a tire, wet it and the knife will glide through the rubber.

The lesson I learned from this was to avoid thorns and the like when either they or the tire was wet as a puncture was much more likely. The water was like a lubricant making tire carcass penetration much easier.

Dave

Very interesting. I will keep that in mind.

I have a few locust trees that I would like to see gone. I don't want to get my tractor near them. I was running the brush cutter along my fence line last year and there are some trees on my neighbor's side of the fence that have branches which extend over on my side. As I got to each branch, I would reach out and push them up and over my head. Well, I did that with a pine branch and did not realize there was a locust branch intertwined with the pine branch and as I pushed the pine branch over my head, the locust branch came loose and hit me in the face. It split open part of my chin and lower lip. (Thank goodness it did not get me in the eye.) I felt like the thorn was broke off and stuck in my face, but it was just the cut. I had some super glue and glued the cut back together. Worked quite well.

 

[D2Cat]

What I've learned in dealing with Osage Orange and Locust trees is to try not to buy new tires for the tractor I use for mowing near them, especially on the front. I use 7.50 x16 and I am always looking for used tires that size. Why? Because new tires are like bubble gum. The rubber is just that soft compared to old weathered tires. The older, harder tires resist thorns much better.

I have an 8' brush mower and it has 15" 22 ply airplane tires on it. Thorns are not a problem there!

 

[SDT]

Very interesting. I will keep that in mind.

I have a few locust trees that I would like to see gone. I don't want to get my tractor near them. I was running the brush cutter along my fence line last year and there are some trees on my neighbor's side of the fence that have branches which extend over on my side. As I got to each branch, I would reach out and push them up and over my head. Well, I did that with a pine branch and did not realize there was a locust branch intertwined with the pine branch and as I pushed the pine branch over my head, the locust branch came loose and hit me in the face. It split open part of my chin and lower lip. (Thank goodness it did not get me in the eye.) I felt like the thorn was broke off and stuck in my face, but it was just the cut. I had some super glue and glued the cut back together. Worked quite well.

Live Locust thorns are toxic and can be quite painful for a few days even if not broken off inside.

SDT

 

[SDT]

What I've learned in dealing with Osage Orange and Locust trees is to try not to buy new tires for the tractor I use for mowing near them, especially on the front. I use 7.50 x16 and I am always looking for used tires that size. Why? Because new tires are like bubble gum. The rubber is just that soft compared to old weathered tires. The older, harder tires resist thorns much better.

I have an 8' brush mower and it has 15" 22 ply airplane tires on it. Thorns are not a problem there!

A neighbor of mine kept an AC WD-45 equipped with steel wheels for bush hog work in pasture areas where thorn trees grew.

Never had a "flat."

SDT

 

[Nicfin36]

Line Locust thorns are toxic and can be quite painful for a few days even if not broken off inside.

SDT

Yes, I had read they were poisonous. The thorn cut me more than pierced me, but yeah, it was a bit sore for a couple of days. I'll get my revenge.

 

[Benhameen]

I hate those dang tees. Stepped on a couple thorns over the years.
As You’ve read I’m not sure there’s a good options here. At the least, I would fill the front tires with sealant, it will be difficult not to puncture one.
Probably not the option you’re looking for with a new tractor but you might be better off renting a skid steer with tracks instead of tires. Skip the chipper and burn them. Just a thought...

 

[BA76]

An observation from many years ago inspecting failed tires that when you wanted to cut a tire, wet it and the knife will glide through the rubber.

The lesson I learned from this was to avoid thorns and the like when either they or the tire was wet as a puncture was much more likely. The water was like a lubricant making tire carcass penetration much easier.

Dave

Good suggestion Dave. I never considered that fact.

 

[SDT]

Good suggestion Dave. I never considered that fact.

It makes little difference.

If you drive over honey locust thorns, wet, dry, or frozen you will get flats.

SDT

 

[D2Cat]

And if you walk around where you've been working after they have been on the ground you'll have thorns in the sole of you boots!

 

[Bmyers]

And if you walk around where you've been working after they have been on the ground you'll have thorns in the sole of you boots!

Since we have purchased these, we have not had any thorns make it to the feet. Still had to pull them out of the boots, but better than pulling them out of the bottom of your feet.

AmazonSmile: Steel-Flex Puncture Resistant Insole - XL (11/12): Shoes

 

[LarryBud]

Thanks all for the input. I know it’s not an ideal situation but it’s my reality.

Burning vs wood chopping? I was thinking chopping to get it over with in one day. Is the concern that the thorns would be pushed through and still be dangerous? I guess I could burn but thought it would be more time and I either have to drag the nasty things all over my place or have many burn piles.

Still up in the air as most are still standing.

 

[Nicfin36]

I plan to cut the larger pieces for firewood and drag the branches into a ditch in the woods and let nature takes its course.

I am curious how long it takes for the thorns to decay on the ground. I am sure moisture will be a big factor.

 

[SDT]

I plan to cut the larger pieces for firewood and drag the branches into a ditch in the woods and let nature takes its course.

I am curious how long it takes for the thorns to decay on the ground. I am sure moisture will be a big factor.

Honey locust is soft and makes very poor firewood.

Honey locust thorns left unshredded on the ground will remain a puncture threat to tires for years.

SDT

 

[BigG]

Two ideas that come to mind. I have seen tires wired on top of the regular tires. You may need to trim the side wall a little to force it over the tractor's tire. Then tie it in place with bailing wire, I have seen this work on the front tires only.

Second idea would be to foam fill the tires. Do not use Great Stuff but have it done with the correct type of foam from a reputable service center.

 

[Nicfin36]

Honey locust is soft and makes very poor firewood.

Honey locust thorns left unshredded on the ground will remain a puncture threat to tires for years.

SDT

That is what I thought about the thorns.

However, it has always been my understanding locust trees made good firewood. I have always read and heard that, but never burned any. Of course, I will burn anything, even though I primarily use oak.

 

[BobInSD]

I do not know what what kind of locust I have (it has big thorns), but it is a very dense, hot burning wood. I have two huge trees that need to come down eventually. They are too close to my apple trees to burn easily, so I've been waiting.

 

[Magicman]

If it is a Locust and has large thorns it's a Honey Locust. Black Locust thorns would seldom be more than 1/2" long and not something to be concerned with regarding tire punctures.

To me, Honey Locust smoke stinks so it is not a species that I would ever use for firewood. Of course sometime folks have to use what is available and I understand that.

 

[Nicfin36]

I've been less picky about firewood since I got the tractor and grapple. Smaller trees I would cut up for firewood because I was handling them myself. It is too tempting now to just grab and go with the tractor/grapple and cut firewood from better trees.

 

[SDT]

That is what I thought about the thorns.

However, it has always been my understanding locust trees made good firewood. I have always read and heard that, but never burned any. Of course, I will burn anything, even though I primarily use oak.

Black locust is hard and makes decent fire wood. Honey locust is soft and does not.

SDT

 

[BobInSD]

If it is a Locust and has large thorns it's a Honey Locust. Black Locust thorns would seldom be more than 1/2" long and not something to be concerned with regarding tire punctures.

Maybe I have some of each? Looking at pictures online (just now), the two big trees out by my apple trees are Honey Locust. There's a big thicket of smaller sharp trees nearby and they tend to crop up in the fence line. I wonder if the smaller one I burnt was Black Locust?

I've been thinking on the best way to get rid of the big ones before they die and make a big section of pasture off-limits to the tractor. I give them a wide berth when mowing, but this year there's a carpet of pods extending 75-100 feet downwind.

To me, Honey Locust smoke stinks so it is not a species that I would ever use for firewood. Of course sometime folks have to use what is available and I understand that.

I've got 8 big ole (90 year old) Cottonwoods. I'm also very cheap. I'm going to have a huge dilemma when it's time for them to go. Unfortunately, the ash-borer is just now getting here so I'll probably have plenty of that for awhile.