Is a thorny shrub taking over your yard? It might be buckthorn. This plant grows in thick groups. It pushes out native plants and hurts local animals. It can feel like a tough fight. If you are asking how to get rid of buckthorn, this guide is for you. We will show you the best ways to remove this plant for good.
Fixing a buckthorn problem is a big job, but it is important. This plant is not from the USA. It spreads very fast. Its thick shade and strong roots stop other plants from growing. But you can win this fight with a good plan. This article gives you a full plan. It shows you how to find the plant, remove it, and then add back good, native plants.
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Why Is Buckthorn Such a Big Problem for My Property?
First, it helps to know why buckthorn is more than just a weed. This plant is a real threat to nature all over the country.
Buckthorn grows in thick stands. These stands block sunlight. This stops native flowers and baby trees from growing. So, there are fewer types of plants. Also, buckthorn leaves break down very fast. This adds a lot of nitrogen to the soil. Too much nitrogen can hurt native plants.
The berries are also bad for birds. They are not good food. They make birds sick, which helps spread the seeds far away. When you remove buckthorn, you help your local environment. This is why it is so important to learn how to get rid of buckthorn.
How Can I Be Sure I Have Buckthorn?
Before you start, make sure you have the right plant. There are two main types of buckthorn in the USA.
- Common Buckthorn: This is a shrub or small tree. It can grow up to 20 feet tall. The twigs often have a small thorn on the end. The leaves are oval with small teeth. The leaves stay green late into the fall. This is a key sign. If you cut a stem, the wood inside is orange.
- Glossy Buckthorn: This type has no thorns. Its leaves are smooth and shiny. It grows much like common buckthorn.
Both types have small, dark berries in the late summer and fall.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Remove Buckthorn?
You can remove buckthorn any time of year. But the fall is often the best time to do the work.
In the fall, buckthorn keeps its green leaves longer than other plants. This makes it easy to see. Also, in the fall, plants send energy down to their roots for the winter. If you use a weed killer then, the plant will pull it down to the roots. This helps kill the whole plant. It makes your work much more likely to succeed.
Step 1: How to Get Rid of Buckthorn Seedlings by Hand
For small buckthorn plants, you can pull them out by hand. This works for plants with stems smaller than a pencil. It is a great first step for new problem spots.
What Is the Best Way to Hand-Pull Buckthorn?
This method is easy but takes some work.
- Wait for Wet Soil: It is much easier to pull plants when the ground is wet. Try to do this after a good rain.
- Get a Good Grip: Grab the plant stem at the bottom.
- Pull and Twist: Pull straight up. A small twist can help loosen the roots. Try to get the whole root. If you leave a big piece of the root, the plant may grow back.
- Check for More: Look around for any other small plants you may have missed.
This is a good way to remove young plants without chemicals.
Step 2: Will a Weed Wrench Help With How to Get Rid of Buckthorn?
For buckthorn plants that are too big to pull by hand, you can use a special tool. A weed wrench or an extractigator can help. These work on plants up to two inches thick.
How Do I Use a Weed Wrench for an Effective Way on How to Get Rid of Buckthorn?
These tools help you pull bigger shrubs out by the roots.
- How It Works: A weed wrench has a jaw that grabs the shrub’s stem. It has a long handle that gives you power.
- Clamp and Pull: Clamp the tool on the stem near the ground. Then, pull back on the long handle. The tool will pop the whole plant and its roots out of the ground.
- Fill the Hole: This can leave a hole. It is a good idea to push the dirt back down. This stops new weeds from growing there.
Using a weed wrench works very well. It is another good way to avoid chemicals.
Step 3: How to Get Rid of Buckthorn Using the Cut-Stump Method
For large buckthorn trees, the cut-stump method is a top choice. You cut the plant down. Then you treat the stump with a weed killer. This stops it from growing back. This is a focused way for how to get rid of buckthorn.
What Is the Proper Way to Use the Cut-Stump Method for How to Get Rid of Buckthorn?
Doing the steps right is the key to making this work.
- Cut the Plant: Use a saw or loppers to cut the buckthorn stem. Cut it close to the ground. Leave a stump that is one or two inches high.
- Apply Weed Killer Fast: You must put the weed killer on the cut stump right away. Do it in less than an hour. If you wait, the plant will seal the cut. Then the weed killer will not work.
- Choose the Right Product: Use a product with glyphosate or triclopyr. These work well on woody plants. You can find them at garden stores.
- Apply with Care: Use a small brush or dauber. Put the weed killer only on the outer ring of the cut stump. This is where the plant moves water and food. You do not need to cover the whole stump. Be careful not to get it on other plants.
According to the University of Minnesota Extension, the cut-stump method works very well, especially in the fall. Their guide on Buckthorn Management has great information on how to do this. This expert advice shows this is a good part of a plan for how to get rid of buckthorn.
Step 4: What Should I Do After I Remove the Buckthorn?
Removing the buckthorn is only the first half of the job. What you do next is very important. Buckthorn seeds can live in the soil for years. You need to be ready for what comes next.
How Do I Dispose of the Cut Plants?
Do not leave cut buckthorn on the ground. This is very true if it has berries. This will just spread more seeds. It is best to pile the brush up and burn it if you are allowed to. If not, you can stack it up to slowly rot over time.
Why Is Replanting So Important?
Nature does not like bare ground. If you clear an area and leave it empty, new buckthorn will grow. The best defense is to plant native trees and flowers. These native plants will compete with any new buckthorn. They will help shade the ground so buckthorn seeds cannot sprout. This is the last key step in your journey of learning how to get rid of buckthorn.
What Is the Most Important Thing to Remember for How to Get Rid of Buckthorn?
Getting rid of buckthorn takes time and hard work. You will need to watch the area for a few years. You must remove any new plants that pop up. But if you use these methods and stick with it, you can win. You will get back a healthy and pretty yard that helps local plants and animals. Your hard work will make a big difference.
FAQ – How to Get Rid of Buckthorn
What steps should I follow to properly use the cut-stump method for large buckthorn trees?
First, cut the tree close to the ground with a saw or loppers, leaving a stump one or two inches high. Then, immediately apply a weed killer containing glyphosate or triclopyr to the cut surface within an hour to prevent sealing. Use a brush or dauber to apply it only around the outer ring of the stump, avoiding contact with other plants.
What is the recommended method for removing small buckthorn seedlings by hand?
To remove small seedlings, wait for wet soil, grasp the stem near the bottom, and pull straight up with a small twist to loosen the roots, ensuring the entire root is extracted to prevent regrowth, and check for additional small plants nearby.
When is the optimal time of year to remove buckthorn?
The fall is often the best time to remove buckthorn because the plants retain their green leaves longer, making them easier to spot, and they transfer energy to their roots, enhancing the effectiveness of certain weed killers.
How can I accurately identify buckthorn in my yard?
You can identify buckthorn by its characteristics: common buckthorn is a shrub or small tree up to 20 feet tall with small thorns on the twigs, oval leaves with small teeth that stay green late into fall, and orange wood inside a cut stem; glossy buckthorn has smooth, shiny leaves and no thorns. Both have small, dark berries in late summer and fall.
Why is buckthorn considered a significant threat to native ecosystems?
Buckthorn grows in dense stands that block sunlight, preventing native plants and young trees from growing, and its rapid spread displaces local flora and fauna, thus harming native ecosystems.
