the common buckthorn
TRANSCRIPT
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?