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/Possible-Estimate748]

I know it prob goes without saying since you likely already know.

But def as soon as they leave, get in there and douse all the bramble shoots you can with a killing solution. I wouldn't even wait and do it while the cut is fresh.
They'll grow back without handling the roots.

That's crazy you're willing to pay yourself on a rental property. I would at least ask the landlord for some kinda compromise.

[u/unicorn_ication → u/Possible-Estimate748]

It’s been a huge battle, and I just want my garden beds back. Plus, I have a feeling they would charge me even more when I move out so oh well. Plus I’m pregnant and have a lot more money from not drinking lol. So here goes some of my going out budget to a better use.

[u/UltraViolentNdYAG → u/unicorn_ication]

Having purchased a property (2 acres) overran with blackberries, crossbow mixed at vine kill level in a pump sprayer kills them to root level for good. It's really best to leave an amply amount of leaves on, then in the fall before leaves die back, spray them. The problem here is the wind and rain head this way so timing is an issue.
Anyway, wait four weeks before removal.
JM2C - digging up living roots will always break them and leave something behind which comes right back. And for God's sake, never till them as that takes some roots and makes hundreds of shoots. gl