The Common BuckthornAn Invasive Species

Bao Yang

What to Expect?

What is the Buckthorn?Where did it originated?Why is it Invasive?Prevent it from

becoming “overrated”?Service Project

What is the Buckthorn?Common buckthorn

(Rhamnus cathartica) A very popular hedging

material. Glossy buckthorn

(Frangula alnus)Columnaris has a narrow

and tall formAspenifolia spreads up to 10

feet and has narrow leaves that give it a ferny texture. Invades wetlands including

acidic bogs, fens and sedge meadows

How can YOU tell if it's Buckthorn?

The Common Buckthorn

Leaves: Egg-shaped, pointed at the tip, smooth, dark, glossy and finely-toothed. 3-5 pair of curved leaf veins.

Branch: Buds and leaves are opposite. Twigs often end in sharp, stout thorns.

Wood: Brown bark with elongate silvery corky projections (caution: native plums or cherries have a similar bark). Cut branch exposes yellow sapwood and orange heartwood.

Fruit: Large, round, berry-like clusters of black 1/4" fruit. Ripens in August and September.

Where did it originated?Europe

mid-1800s very popular

hedging material1930s

stopped selling after found that it harmed natural surroundings

Still found in older neighborhoods throughout Minnesota

States reporting Buckthorn

Why is it bad?According to the MN

DNR:Out-competes native

plants for nutrients, light, and moisture

Degrades wildlife habitat Threatens many natural

habitats Contributes to erosion –

not allowing floor plants grow to hold a barrier

Serves as host to other pests, such as crown rust fungus

More About InvadingDense buckthorn

seedlings prevent native tree and shrub regeneration.

An invader mainly of open oak woods, deadfall openings in woodlands, and woods edges

It is tolerant of many soil types, well drained sand, clay, poorly drained calcareous, neutral or alkaline, wet or dry.

Continued

Prevent it from becoming “overrated”?Before anything,

ensure there are no buried utilities in the area

Things to do:Pull it out – for

small plantsHand ToolsUse HerbicidesFire

Trade Name Chemical Name

Concentration Use

Ortho Brush-B-Gon

Triclopyr amine

Premixed at 8% Cut stump

Ferti-Lome Brush Killer and Stump Killer

Triclopyr amine

Premixed at 8.8% Cut stump

Garlon 3A Triclopyr amine

25-50% solution with water

Cut stump

Garlon 4 Triclopyr ester

1 part Garlon 4 and 3 parts bark oil/diluent

Cut stump or basal bark

Roundup, Rodeo, Accord, Etc.

Glyphosate25-50% solution with water

Cut stump

Herbicides to Control Buckthorn

Prevent it from becoming “overrated”?

Buckthorn seeds in the soil can remain viable for up to five years. With no follow-up

control, buckthorn will come back.

controlled by cutting the stem at the soil surface and then cover or treat the stump to prevent re-sprouting

Continued

Service ProjectWilder Foundation

funded a program – Youth Leadership for Vital Communities

15 Youth (14-17)Annual Retreat

Wilder Forest – Stillwater

Camped outKilled many of

Buckthorn trees

ReviewWhat is the

Buckthorn?Where did it

originated?Why is it Invasive?Prevent it from

becoming having apopulation explosion

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/woody/buckthorn/index.html

http://www.ipaw.org/invaders/buckthorn/index.htm

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/rhca1.htm

www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/icm/node/199

Resources

Thank you for your time!

Any Questions?