How do you kill invasive buckthorn?

Buckthorn is an invasive shrub that can quickly take over landscapes. Getting rid of buckthorn takes some persistence and repeated effort to fully eradicate it. Here are the key questions and answers on how to effectively kill invasive buckthorn:

What is buckthorn?

Buckthorn refers to two similar invasive shrubs from Europe and Asia: common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus). Both species were introduced to North America as ornamentals but have since escaped cultivation and spread aggressively.

Buckthorn can grow up to 20 feet tall and has distinctive glossy leaves with curving leaf veins. It produces clusters of black berries eaten and spread by birds. Buckthorn leaves out early and holds its leaves late into fall, shading out native plants. It also emits a chemical that inhibits other plant growth underneath it.

Why is buckthorn bad?

Here are some of the negative impacts of invasive buckthorn:

– Crowds out and displaces native vegetation, reducing biodiversity
– Degrades wildlife habitat – offers poor food source and shelter compared to native shrubs
– Alters soil chemistry to favor its own growth
– Thickets block sunlight from reaching the ground or lower plant layers
– Serves as a host for other pests like soybean aphids and crown rust fungus

Buckthorn is very aggressive and fast-growing. It can form dense thickets and take over large areas quickly, outcompeting slower native shrubs and wildflowers. Controlling buckthorn is important to protect local ecosystems and plant diversity.

When is the best time to cut down buckthorn?

The best time to cut down and treat buckthorn is in late summer and early fall when it is transporting resources down to its root system for winter. Cutting at this time will kill the shrub more effectively than cutting in spring when resources are flowing up to the leaves and branches.

Here is a simple timeline:

July – August: Identify and flag buckthorn plants for removal

September – October: Cut down buckthorn shrubs and treat stumps with herbicide when foliage is still green and before leaf drop

November – March: Continue monitoring for and removing buckthorn regrowth

Cutting buckthorn in summer to fall will hit it when it’s most vulnerable and result in better kill rates.

How do you remove buckthorn by hand?

Manually removing buckthorn by hand involves cutting it down to the ground and treating the stumps with herbicide. Follow these steps:

Tools needed:

– Loppers, hand saw, or axe to cut down shrubs
– Paint brush, spray bottle or sponge applicator for herbicide
– Systemic herbicide like triclopyr or glyphosate (Roundup)

Steps:

1. Cut the buckthorn shrub down at its base, as close to the ground as possible.
2. Immediately apply herbicide like triclopyr or glyphosate to the freshly cut stump surface.
3. Cover the entire flat top of the stump and the outer edge with herbicide.
4. Leave cut shrubs on site to decompose and monitoring for resprouting. Cut and respray any regrowth.

Proper technique is crucial – cutting alone is not effective, you must treat the stumps with herbicide to kill the plant and prevent regrowth. Triclopyr is safer for native plants. Glyphosate non-selective but may be more effective on buckthorn.

Buckthorn removal by hand pros and cons

Pros	Cons
– Lower cost method	– Labor intensive
– Selective removal possible	– Must monitor for regrowth
– Low soil disturbance	– Stems may re-sprout if not treated

Hand removal allows you to selectively target buckthorn while protecting surrounding native plants. But it requires diligent monitoring and repeated cutting and spraying to fully kill the shrub.

How do you remove buckthorn with machinery?

For large buckthorn infestations, using power tools and machinery can make removal faster and more efficient:

Tools needed:

– Chainsaw, brush cutter, or mowers to cut down shrubs
– Tractor or skid-steer loader to extract root systems
– Herbicide to treat regrowth

Steps:

1. Clear away brush with mowers or brush cutters fitted with heavy duty blades.

2. Cut down large buckthorn shrubs at their base with a chainsaw.

3. Use a tractor or skid steer to pull out as much of the roots as possible.

4. Immediately treat any cut stumps and regrowth with herbicide.

5. Monitor area and continue treating regrowth.

Machinery helps quickly clear thickets of buckthorn. But roots left behind may re-sprout. Combining cutting and root removal with herbicide is key for the best control.

Machinery removal pros and cons

Pros	Cons
– Very efficient for large infestations	– Expensive equipment needed
– Roots can be removed	– Causes soil disturbance
– Saves labor costs	– Less selective – native plants also removed

Machinery allows you to remove buckthorn from large areas quickly. But it disturbs the soil and kills any surrounding vegetation. Hand removal is preferable around sensitive native plants.

What herbicides work on buckthorn?

The most effective herbicides for killing buckthorn and preventing regrowth are:

– Triclopyr – systemic herbicide selective for broadleaf plants like buckthorn. More expensive but safer for grasses and conifers. Sold as brand Garlon.

– Glyphosate – non-selective systemic herbicide that controls all vegetation. Most effective on buckthorn but also kills non-target plants. Sold as Roundup.

– Imazapyr – broad-spectrum residual herbicide for total vegetation control. persiStents longer in soil than other herbicides. Brand name Arsenal.

When applying herbicide:

– Follow label directions for correct dosage and timing

– Use an adjuvant surfactant for best absorption

– Apply directly to freshly cut stumps for optimal uptake

– Avoid spraying near desired grass and plants – triclopyr is safest option

Consult local herbicide regulations for usage guidelines and restrictions in your area. Proper PPE like gloves and eye protection should always be worn.

What natural remedies work on buckthorn?

While not as fast and effective as herbicide, some natural methods may help combat buckthorn:

– Hot water – boiling water kills root tissues and plant cells when poured on cut stumps

– Vinegar – higher 20% acetic acid concentration is more effective

– Smothering – cover stumps with plastic, cardboard, mulch to block light and kill regrowth

– Solarization – clear plastic sheeting heats soil to high temperatures that may kill seeds

– Flame weeding – propane torches can scorch and destroy young buckthorn seedlings

– Goats – goats eat buckthorn and can be used to help control regrowth

However, these methods require vigilant monitoring and repeated application. They may weaken buckthorn but are unlikely to completely kill established shrubs. Herbicide is still the most effective treatment.

How long does it take to get rid of buckthorn?

Killing buckthorn the first time is only half the battle – persistent follow up treatments are crucial to fully eradicate it. Here are the general timeframes required:

– 3-6 months to do initial removal and cutting of mature buckthorn shrubs

– At least 2-3 years of monitoring and repeated cutting/treating of regrowth and seedlings before area can be considered buckthorn-free

– 5+ years of ongoing occasional monitoring needed to watch for any remaining seeds germinating

– 10+ years of no treatment before an area with previous buckthorn can be considered totally cleared

Buckthorn seeds remain viable in the soil for up to 8 years. Full eradication requires commitment to consistent follow up over at least a decade. But significant reductions can be achieved in 2-5 years of diligent management.

What is the cost to remove buckthorn?

The cost to remove buckthorn can vary greatly depending on the infestation size, density, site accessibility and removal method. Here are some average per acre costs:

– Manual removal by hand – $250 to $1000 per acre

– Mechanical removal with equipment – $500 to $2500 per acre

– Chemical control with herbicide only – $150 to $350 per acre

– Cut and herbicide treatment – $400 to $900 per acre

Multi-acre buckthorn infestations treated with machinery can cost $1000 to $4000 total. For individual shrubs, you may pay $5 to $15 for a service to cut and treat each one.

Controlling buckthorn yourself with hand tools is lowest cost but very labor intensive. Hiring professionals with proper equipment and expertise may ultimately be more effective if you can fit it in your budget.

When to hire a professional for buckthorn removal?

It’s smart to hire professional help for buckthorn removal when:

– You have a large, dense infestation over multiple acres

– Thickets are inaccessible or on steep slopes dangerous to work on

– You want the job done thoroughly and quickly

– You don’t have the right equipment like chainsaws, tractors, brush mowers etc.

– You want to avoid buying and applying herbicide yourself

– You don’t have time for consistent follow up treatments

– Knowledgeable guidance is needed on best removal practices

– Your physical ability prevents you from doing the difficult work

Professionals have the efficient tools, vehicles, manpower and experience to remove buckthorn effectively. Their expertise is well worth the cost for big buckthorn control projects.

How to prevent buckthorn from returning?

To prevent buckthorn from returning after removal and re-infesting the area:

– Monitor site for at least 5 years to spot and remove any seedlings or regrowth. Quickly treat sprouts before they set seed.

– Do occasional “spot spraying” with herbicide on previously treated areas to kill any new seedlings. Glyphosate works well.

– Plant or encourage dense native groundcover vegetation to crowd out space for buckthorn seeds to germinate.

– Arrange brush piles and plant thickets as barriers to block buckthorn spread

– Inform neighbors of buckthorn risks and encourage them to monitor their land

– Clean boots, tools, vehicles when leaving infested sites to avoid spreading seeds

– Apply corn gluten meal in spring to prevent buckthorn seeds from sprouting

Ongoing diligence is crucial to prevent reversing all your hard buckthorn removal work. But the effort to keep it in check will pay off by maintaining a healthy landscape.

Conclusion

Buckthorn is a challenging invasive shrub to control, but persistence and using the right methods can contain and eliminate infestations. Cutting followed immediately by herbicide treatment of stumps is necessary for best results. Several years of follow up monitoring and maintenance will be required. While labor intensive, ridding your property of buckthorn will allow native plants and wildlife to thrive once again.