How Do I Get Rid Of Buckthorn
How Do I Get Rid Of Buckthorn? Your Complete Guide to Eliminating This Pesky Invasive Shrub
If you're reading this, chances are you've encountered the notorious Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) or perhaps Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus). These invasive shrubs are notorious for taking over yards and natural areas, choking out native plants and generally being a huge headache. Dealing with buckthorn can feel overwhelming, but don't worry—we've put together the ultimate resource to answer your question: How do I get rid of buckthorn once and for all?
Buckthorn removal requires persistence, a little bit of strategic timing, and choosing the right method for the size of the plant you are facing. Whether you're battling tiny seedlings or decade-old trees, we will walk you through the most effective mechanical and chemical treatments available.
Identifying Your Foe: What Is Buckthorn?
Before launching your attack, you need to be absolutely sure you are dealing with buckthorn. Misidentification can lead to removing beneficial native shrubs, which is the opposite of what we want. Buckthorn has several defining characteristics that make it easy to spot, especially in early spring or late fall when native plants have dropped their leaves.
Key identification features include:
- Bark: The bark is dark gray to brown. If you scratch the bark, you will often find an orange underlayer, which is a key identifying trait.
- Buds: The buds are sharp, pointed, and look almost like deer hooves. They are sub-opposite or nearly opposite on the stem.
- Leaves: The leaves are dark green, oval, slightly toothed, and remain on the plant well into autumn, often after the first few hard frosts.
- Berries: Female plants produce abundant clusters of black, pea-sized berries in late summer that birds eagerly eat (and then spread the seeds far and wide).
Timing is Everything: When is the Best Time to Remove Buckthorn?
The time of year you choose to remove buckthorn dramatically impacts the effectiveness of your efforts, especially if you plan to use herbicides. If you are dealing solely with mechanical removal (pulling or cutting), any time works, but the ground is easiest to work with when moist.
For chemical treatments, the ideal window is late summer through late fall (August to November). Why this window? During this time, the plant is actively transporting sugars down to its roots in preparation for winter. Applying herbicide during this period means the chemical is pulled directly into the root system, providing a superior kill rate compared to treatments applied during the spring growth flush.
Method 1: Physical Removal (The Hard Work)
Physical removal is best for smaller infestations and situations where you want to avoid using chemical sprays. Remember, the key when physically removing buckthorn is getting the entire root crown, or the plant will rapidly resprout.
Pulling Saplings and Small Shrubs
If your buckthorn is under an inch or two in diameter, pulling is the easiest and most effective method. Wait until the soil is damp, which allows the root system to slide out more easily. Use a tool specifically designed for this task, like a "Uprooter" or "Buckthorn Blaster," which provides mechanical leverage.
Steps for successful pulling:
- Grip the buckthorn low on the stem, near the base.
- Use the pulling tool to gain leverage and firmly pull straight up, ensuring the entire root crown is removed.
- Fill the resulting hole with soil or mulch to prevent new invasive seeds from establishing there.
Cutting Down Mature Buckthorn
Mature buckthorn (larger than two inches in diameter) is too large to pull effectively. If you simply cut it down without further treatment, it will quickly resprout multiple new stems, making the problem worse! Therefore, cutting must be followed up immediately with chemical application, which leads us to Method 2. However, if you are strictly avoiding chemicals, you will need to cut the plant and then diligently cut back any new sprouts every few weeks until the root starves—a highly labor-intensive process.
Method 2: Chemical Treatment (When Elbow Grease Isn't Enough)
For large, mature buckthorn, chemical treatment is usually the most efficient way to kill the root system and stop resprouting. The most recommended herbicides for woody invasives are those containing glyphosate or triclopyr. Always follow safety guidelines and local regulations when using chemicals.
The Cut-Stump Method
This method is highly effective for any stump larger than two inches in diameter. The goal is to apply concentrated herbicide directly to the freshly cut stump before the wound can seal itself.
How to perform the cut-stump method:
- Cut the buckthorn tree or shrub horizontally, leaving a stump about 3-6 inches tall.
- Within 5 to 15 minutes of cutting, apply concentrated herbicide (usually 20-50% solution of glyphosate or triclopyr) only to the exposed cambium layer—the ring just beneath the bark.
- Do NOT treat the heartwood (the center); only the cambium actively transports the chemical to the roots.
Basal Bark Treatment
If the buckthorn is less than 3-4 inches in diameter and you prefer not to cut it down first, you can use the basal bark method. This involves applying a specific oil-soluble herbicide (typically triclopyr ester) mixed with basal oil directly to the bark.
You must completely saturate the lower 12-18 inches of the trunk, spraying until the solution runs down to the ground. This application method allows the chemical to penetrate the bark and move into the vascular system, ultimately killing the roots. This is a great alternative when cutting isn't practical.
Preventing the Return (Long-Term Strategy)
Removing the current generation of buckthorn is only half the battle. Buckthorn seeds remain viable in the soil for several years—a phenomenon known as the "seed bank." You need a solid, long-term plan to maintain control and prevent the next wave from establishing.
Critical long-term steps include:
- Monitoring: Return to the cleared area every spring and fall to pull any new seedlings that have emerged from the seed bank. Early detection is crucial.
- Planting Natives: Fill the void left by the buckthorn with competitive, native shrubs or trees. This increases biodiversity and reduces the sunlight reaching the soil, suppressing buckthorn germination.
- Mulching: Apply a thick layer of wood chips or mulch over the cleared areas. This helps suppress seed germination and reduces the need for herbicide application.
Conclusion
Eliminating buckthorn is an achievable goal, but it requires patience and a strategic approach. We have detailed the best methods for answering the complex question, "How do I get rid of buckthorn?" For small plants, physical removal with specialized tools is the safest bet. For mature, large shrubs, the cut-stump method utilizing a concentrated herbicide in the late fall offers the highest chance of success.
Remember to always dispose of the cut brush responsibly (never compost the berries!), and commit to a routine of monitoring and maintenance. By replacing the buckthorn with vigorous native plants, you can restore health and biodiversity to your landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How quickly will buckthorn grow back after cutting?
- If you simply cut buckthorn without applying herbicide or removing the root crown, it will almost certainly resprout vigorously within a few weeks, often growing back with multiple stems, making it even harder to remove later.
- Is it safe to burn buckthorn brush?
- Burning is generally considered a safe and effective way to dispose of buckthorn brush and kill the seeds, but you must adhere strictly to local burn ordinances and safety precautions. Always check with your local fire department first.
- Do I have to use chemicals to get rid of buckthorn?
- No, you don't have to. You can achieve excellent results without chemicals by using pulling tools on small plants and persistently cutting back sprouts on large stumps (the "cut and recut" method). However, the chemical application significantly reduces the labor required for mature plants.
- When should I avoid removing buckthorn?
- Avoid removing buckthorn, especially cutting, during the peak bird nesting season (typically late spring to mid-summer). Buckthorn thickets provide cover, and removing them during this time can harm nesting birds.
How Do I Get Rid Of Buckthorn
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