Rancher Guide
How to Kill Cedar Trees on Pasture
Cedar steals water, sunlight, and grazing. Here's the simplest way to kill it — one rain-activated pellet at a time, no sprayer required.
The problem
Why cedar costs you more than pasture.
A single mature cedar tree can drink 30 gallons of water a day during the growing season. Multiply that across a stand and you're losing thousands of gallons that should be growing grass. Cedar shades out forage, fuels wildfires, and spreads aggressively — left alone, it can take a profitable pasture out of production in just a few years.
The old fixes are expensive. Mechanical removal and dozer work runs hundreds of dollars per acre and leaves regrowth behind. Chainsaw work is back-breaking and dangerous in the heat. Most liquid herbicides require sprayers, mixing, calm weather, and often a second trip.
The simpler way
One pellet. One rainfall. No equipment.
Walk the stand
Identify the cedar trees you want to control. Start with the worst areas — you don't have to treat the whole pasture at once.
Use the right rate
Apply one Brush Bullet pellet for every three feet of tree height. A 6-foot cedar gets two pellets.
Place at the base
Drop the pellet on the soil within a few inches of the trunk. No digging, no drilling, no pouring into wounds.
Wait for rain
The next rainfall dissolves the pellet. About 1 inch of total rain moves the herbicide into the root zone. Then walk away.
Why it works
Built for thirsty, fast-absorbing cedar.
Cedar is one of the most water-hungry species on Texas rangeland — that's exactly what makes Brush Bullet so effective on it. Place the pellet at the base of the tree, and the next rainfall dissolves it into the soil and moves the active ingredient straight into the root zone. With about 1 inch of total rain, the pellet is fully dissolved and absorbed. Cedars typically show decline faster than slow-uptake species like mesquite.
- No backpack sprayer, ATV tank, or mixing required
- No drift risk on windy days or near desirable grass
- No applicator's license needed for private land use
- One pass per tree — no re-treatment where coverage thins
- Treats individual cedars without broadcast spraying
Faster than mesquite
Cedars take up water quickly
1 inch
Of rain to fully dissolve
1 pellet
Per 3 feet of tree height
No license
Required for private land
Timing & weather
Apply during the growing season.
Cedars actively take up water roughly 200 days a year. For best results, apply Brush Bullet when average temperatures are above 60°F and the tree is actively growing — typically February through August across most of Texas.
You don't need one continuous downpour. About 1 inch of cumulative rainfall is enough to fully dissolve the pellet and move it into the root zone.
Questions
Cedar control FAQ
How many Brush Bullets do I need per cedar tree?
Use one pellet per three feet of height. A 9-foot cedar gets three pellets. For multi-stem trees, treat each stem as a separate tree.
How long does it take to kill cedar with Brush Bullet?
Cedars are heavy water users, so they tend to show decline faster than slow-absorbing species like mesquite. Most ranchers see visible browning within weeks of meaningful rain, with full control following over the growing season.
Will one rain be enough?
Brush Bullet needs about 1 inch of cumulative rainfall — not one continuous storm. Multiple light rains add up and dissolve the pellet over time.
When should I apply Brush Bullet on cedars?
Cedars actively absorb water about 200 days a year. The best window is February through August when average temperatures are above 60°F and the tree is actively growing.
Does Brush Bullet work on mesquite too?
Yes — Brush Bullet is labeled for mesquite as well, but cedars are our strongest use case. Mesquite is a slower water user, so control on mesquite takes longer than on cedar.
Do I need a license to apply Brush Bullet on cedar?
No. Brush Bullet is designed for ranchers and landowners. No commercial applicator's license is required for private land use.
Ready to reclaim your pasture?
Start with the worst cedar stand on your place. One pellet per three feet of tree height. The next rain does the rest.