Buckthorns of the genus (Rhamnus) are an invasive noxious species from eastern Europe and Asia. They grow prolifically throughout much of the northern states. They are the last trees to lose their leaves in the fall, so non-native plant enthusiasts are typically pleased to see that bit of green before the snow begins to fall.
BUT, buckthorns are one of the biggest factors in the desecration of our woodland habitat.
Their root systems are dense and shallow, so they use all the nourishment in the surrounding area and prevent other plants — native or otherwise — from growing in their understory. Their berries can lay dormant in the ground for up to 7 years producing more new seedling buckthorns whenever conditions are right.
Buckthorn, Birds & Diarrhea — although there is some disagreement regarding the effect of buckthorn berries on the guts of insects and birds, it is generally thought most are not able to break down the metabolite known as anthroquinone. If not broken down, anthroquinone produces emodin, a cathartic which causes diarrhea and often leads to dehydration and then death of the insect or bird. If a bird manages to survive eating the berry, it of course poops out the seed in some other habitable location and a new invasive noxious buckthorn is allowed to germinate and grow.
Eradicating buckthorn is not a fast undertaking. Tackle the largest specimens — the ones that are producing black berries – first. I have found cutting and painting the stem of the larger trees with 50% concentrated Poison Ivy Roundup works pretty effectively. Note: You must paint the cut end immediately after cutting down the tree; before the sap starts to cover the wound. Fall is the most effective time to cut and paint — when the tree is pulling all the nutrients down into its roots for winter dormancy.
Pulling small seedlings is easy, but often counter-productive because one simply exposes dormant seeds to sunshine and moisture, producing the perfect conditions for a new seedling to germinate.
Girdling large trees works pretty well also. In the late spring, after the nourishment has moved from the roots to the branches and the leaves, cut carefully around the base of the tree. Once it has no way to get nourishment back and forth between the branches and the roots, it will begin to die. Girdling too early in the spring, however, will simply allow the tree to form suckers.
So, it’s time to think about tackling the buckthorn in your yard. Think of it as good exercise! And don’t forget to plant a native tree or shrub or some native plants in its place. Here’s a fact sheet which includes suggested alternatives for you to think about. Have fun!
To purchase a Wild Ones Die, Buckthorn Scum t-shirt.
For more information about a variety of non-native invasive plants
We are removing buckthorn from the bike trail in our town. Pulling the small, cutting and treating the bigger ones. I was wondering if buckthorn will grow back from broken roots. Thanks!
Hi! Brenda — to my knowledge, buckthorn does not grow back from broken roots. It sprouts back from cut stems which have not been treated and it grows from seed exposed to the right germination conditions. Here’s a really good article on eradicating buckthorn from Ecological Landscaping Alliance.
I belive in the adage that God loves all creatures and they all have a place. I also believe that adultery fits this category as well as when used regarding marriage infidelity, especially while using Jesus’ parable that even if you look upon a woman with lust it is adultery. How can the undergroud life care for this species if it is hated?
To Brenda Longworth: I think it is a mistake to remove it from the sides of a bike trail. It is hardy, and can block the friction g-force energy that riding bikes can cause. In short, it can make sitting or walking near bike paths more pleasant not to remove them. Nature works for itself. If there are young buckthorn, why not work in prevention and work to create nutritional sources, just to see how it turns out. I do not believe that cutting plasnt back makes them stronger. It might appear to happen for awhile, but find some research on the long-term effects. Something flowering nearby, such as <12 feet might work to both leave them space and attract active wildlife. Do some reserch as to what to plant, or hire a nature-friendly botanist.
Cheryl, do some research on common buckthorn. It was brought here from europe for landscaling purposes. It does not belong here and has zero predators in North America. Most animals avoid it. Those that don’t, often because they are really hungry and eat the berries (which stain walkways, by the way), become cathartic and diarrheal, and then dehydrated, usually leading to death (this includes dogs).
If the danger to wildlife isn’t enough to change your mind, keep in mind that the dense shallow root systems of common buckthorn starve the soil of nutrients so nothing native can grow. It’s leaves which appear earliest and hang around until very late help it out-compete anything native.
It is noxious evil for a reason. Anyone that wishes to volunteer their time to eradicate it should be encouraged to do so, because it is one of the worst destroyers of our native woodlands.
I belive in the adage that God loves all creatures and they all have a place. I also believe that adultery fits this category as well used regarding marriage infidelity, especially while using Jesus’ parable that even if you look upon a woman with lust it is adultery. How can the undergroud life care for this species if it is hated?