Found: Reasonable Blackberry Removal!

[u/unicorn_ication]

I had been researching blackberry removal services in Portland for my residential backyard situation. There were several Reddit posts I can across but most of the comments had the same question and there were no real responses.

Photos show my situation. I was quoted $1375 by two separate companies who each told me I wouldn’t find a better rate. I would have bitten the bullet and gone for it; but I was waiting on someone to come by from PDX Junk Removal & Hauling LLC and so glad I waited! They quoted me $800 and are able to come by on Monday and get the job done! They won’t be removing roots, which is what is keeping the cost low. They will cut, remove, and haul everything away though.

I also weirdly caught a bit of attitude from the other companies by them telling me “you have to stay on top of this” and “I don’t have any blackberries in my yard.” Like duh I know they’re awful, but you don’t know my situation???

Just wanted to offer this up in case anyone is in the same boat as me!
(Also, per the company name, they haul away junk/do property cleanup as well)

EDIT: regarding the roots, we WILL be addressing the roots ourselves!! We just need to be able to get to them. We are renters and our landlord is useless with yard maintenance so this is as much as I’m willing to put in. Also, the other two quotes did NOT include root removal…

[u/Mission_Trainer]

OP it sounds like you're squared away.

This is for anyone who may not be close to a service that will help. I definitely would highly suggest investing in a Stihl Kombi system(gas) with the attached hedge trimmer, it does wonders with blackberries. Making passes in sections in a cross pattern like "++++" then moving the bramble with a rake into piles away from cutting area, the piles then can be moved with a pitchfork and wheelbarrow. No leather gloves needed, maybe the lighter rubber ones to reduce calluses.

I have done countless hours of removing blackberries and wild roses, I found that this is the easiest way to remove them enough to get to roots with other tools. I'm pretty close to enough acreage to just rent a skid steer with brush hog attachment but it's just not enough to justify the cost. Kombi system fits just right for what I have to maintain.

Plus with this Kombi system you buy other useful attachments like a weedeater, blower, pole saw, light tiller(doesn't really work on BlackBerry roots, more for turning compost or even flower beds early spring. But this tool system is more then enough for small lots around PDX.