By shoving and pushing I don't mean shove it just to have it bounce back, but cracking and cutting down plants. I am not sure how to say this, let me just give you and example:
The airplane flew through the jungle and ___ the plants and foliage with its sonic boom, forming a permanent path through the jungle.
People also do this with a machete, like in the following example:
The guide ___ the thick foliage with a machete allowing the tourists to walk with more ease.