Cut Broom in Bloom.
To the ground.
The Scotch broom plant is most vulnerable when in bloom. If cut at the ground level, while in bloom, the plant usually dies. (If cut during the wet season, it will respout.) You have to cut all the way at the ground level, because there are always small - or large - sprouts the go off into the grass at ground level. Often you have to move grass and give a tug on the stem to find the base of the plant. During the dry, hot summer, almost all larger plants die. The smaller ones may regrow, and you will be able to find them easily when they bloom next spring. Unless there is grass, probably seeds will sprout, but they can easily be pulled out by hand each year.

Plant grass, allow ground story plants to take over, plant trees. Broom grows most frequently in disturbed soil. If you encourage regrowth of native or cultivated plants, the broom will disappear. After the first year, it isn't really hard, but it does require attentiveness. Just keep cutting the broom in bloom. Soon the native plants will thrive again.

Wet Season BROOM REMOVAL
Because the ground is still wet, you can pull broom from the ground without damaging the soil. Smaller broom plants can be pulled out by hand. Large ones can be removed by special broom removal tools. There are two manufacturers of great tools on Vancouver Island. Broombusters was given an Extractigator which works great! (www.extractigator.com) The Pullerbear Company loans out tools to non-profit groups who want to cut broom. (www.pullerbear.com.) Either one of these will allow you to clear acres of broom in very little time. The Extractigator company gave Broombusters a tool to use. If you want to use it on your property or project in the Oceanside, Vancouver Island area, please email or call Broombusters Director, Joanne Sales, joanne@glasswing.com. 250-752-4816