1. What is Buckthorn?
Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
Glossy Buckthorn ([Rhamnus]Frangula alnus) and cultivars: 'Columnaris'=
Tallhedge Glossy Buckthorn 'Asplenifolia'
= Fernleaf Buckthorn
Buckthorns are European native shrubs that were brought to this country
and commonly planted as hedges. They were popular hedge plants; however,
birds carried the seeds from landscape plants to naturalized park
areas and native plant habitats. In many ecosystems, there is little
left of the native plants, because Buckthorn out-competes the native
plants due to its extended growing season and enormous root system.
A major reason it is a problem is that is has no natural predators
on our continent and it will grow in many habitats. For some time,
people thought that only Common Buckthorn was a problem, but Glossy
Buckthorn (including the cultivars called Columnar or Tallhedge and
Fern-Leaf) will also produce seeds and be invasive- particularly in
more moist habitats.
2. Why is it a problem?
Buckthorn is out-competing native plants (and other imported plants),
reducing many areas from a mixed plant population to only Buckthorn.
The profuse seeds are not nutritious for birds and other wildlife,
and in fact are strong cathartics. One of the common spots to observe
Buckthorn growing is to look for the areas below where songbirds perch
(fences, gutters, beneath trees, etc.) because the area below will
be full of seeds and young plants. In fact, an observational study
noted that buckthorn seeds are eliminated by birds within 1/3 mile
of where they are eaten. The seeds move very quickly through the digestive
system.
Buckthorn leaves and roots also emit a substance that is poisonous
to the roots of other plants. Black Walnuts and sunflowers also have
this allopathic feature -severely reducing the plant population growing
beneath them.
While it is hard enough to deal with Buckthorn on our own properties,
it is even more severe in woodland and wetlands. There the buckthorn
is choking out many plants that support songbirds and other creatures.
One clue to its invasiveness: Common Buckthorn has not been in commerce
since 1930, yet look at how much there is around us!
3. What can we do?
Getting rid of Buckthorn is both easy and difficult. It is easy because
Buckthorn is easy to identify, and in its seedling to one year old
plant stage, easy to pull up roots and all if the soils are moist.
However, for larger plants, the root system must be removed completely
or it can re-sprout from the roots for many years. Buckthorn holds
its green leaves late into the fall, making that an ideal time to
identify and remove it. If you have a large infestation of buckthorn
on your property with both old and young plants, this is a long term
effort to remove and may involve a 5 year commitment on your part.
If you work diligently, each year the amount of buckthorn will be
reduced. The first two years are when you will have the most work.
If you have Buckthorn that measures 2.5" in diameter or less, you
can rent or purchase a special tool called a Weed Wrench that will
help you pull the plants out of the ground. It is best to use this
tool when soils are moist. Check with your city or county to see if
they have Weed Wrenches to lend.
Communities are organizing to help citizens remove Buckthorn: the
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, St. Paul Parks and Recreation,
the City of Edina and the Minnesota DNR all have buckthorn information
programs. In fact, a Buckthorn Removal Weekend is a great way to get
to know your neighbors, hold a potluck, and work with many people.
Check with your city or neighborhood to see if an effort to remove
private property buckthorn is offered, or hauling away the removed
plants.
Check out the St. Anthony Park Garden Club's web site at www.justaddwater.ws
and click on "Buckthorn Busters." There is a tremendous amount of
information on how to organize to remove buckthorn from private lands.
There is also a link to the Buckthorn Bust guide for communities.
This garden club began a buckthorn private property removal effort
in the year 2000 in their community. They have committed to cosponsor
an annual removal effort for ten years to assist their neighborhood.
See what your garden club or service organizations can bring to the
table to help in your community efforts.
4. What can we use instead of Buckthorn?
For clipped hedges, Yew, Alpine Currant, Boxwood, Cotoneaster, or
Ninebark work very well. For less formal hedges, there are many excellent
substitutes: Arborvitae, Shrub Roses, Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla),
Chokeberry, Dogwood, Hazelnut, Dwarf Lilacs, Mockorange, Potentilla,
Serviceberry, Snowberry, Spirea, and several Viburnums. Many of these
shrubs have seeds or fruit that will benefit songbirds and other wildlife,
in addition to looking beautiful.
5. Are there good information sources?
If you need more information, contact any of the following:
If you live in Minneapolis, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope
to: Minneapolis
Park and Recreation Board Buckthorn
BeGone 3800 Bryant
Avenue South Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55409
The Buckthorn BeGone information sheet will be sent to you that provides
detailed information on how to control buckthorn on your property.
In Edina, check with the League of Women Voters and the Edina Garden
Council. In other communities, check with your city, town or county
offices to see what is happening with buckthorn in your community.
Master Gardeners in many counties are available to assist communities
with buckthorn education efforts and surveys.
If you want to organize a removal effort in your community, check
out the SAP Garden Club web site listed above. You can also contact
the Master Gardeners at Olmsted County who have available for sale
educational displays on buckthorn plus signs, T-shirts and buttons.
MN Extension Service
Olmsted County
1421 Third Ave. SE
Rochester MN 55904-7947
It is important that private property owners and public agencies work
together to help rid our environment of this particularly nasty woody
plant. Such a partnership can reap major rewards and insure that our
native woodlands and wetlands survive for future generations to enjoy.
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'Columnaris'=
Tallhedge Glossy Buckthorn 
