Eliminating Common Buckthorn Shrubs: A Guide to Removing Intrusive Buckthorn
Tackling Invasive Buckthorn: A Guide from Master Gardener Teo Spengler
In the fight against invasive buckthorn, a master gardener and docent at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, Teo Spengler, shares her expertise. Buckthorn, originally brought to the US as an ornamental, has become a menace, replacing native vegetation and lowering species diversity.
Physical Removal
When dealing with noxious buckthorn plants, physical removal methods can be effective. Cutting the buckthorn as close to the ground as possible and immediately applying an herbicide to the cut stump can prevent regrowth, particularly in small areas or scattered plants. For smaller plants or seedlings, digging them out is another non-chemical method that can be effective, ensuring the entire root system is removed to prevent regrowth.
Chemical Control
Herbicides like glyphosate can be effective, especially when applied as a foam to the base of the stems of larger plants. Using selective herbicides and applying them at times when other plants are less active can reduce impacts on desirable vegetation.
Biological Control
Recent research explores the use of goats for grazing buckthorn, effectively controlling foliage and weakening the plant, though this method may require ongoing management.
Native Revegetation
After removing buckthorn, planting dense native vegetation can help prevent its return by shading out seedlings and competing for resources.
Prescribed Burning
For larger areas, prescribed burning can be an effective method to control buckthorn growth. However, this requires careful planning and execution to avoid unintended consequences.
Additional Tips
- Common buckthorn can regrow from roots, so consistent follow-up is necessary to ensure long-term control.
- Engaging with local gardening or conservation groups can provide valuable resources and support for managing invasive species like buckthorn.
- Minimizing herbicide use and combining multiple methods can lead to more sustainable and effective buckthorn management.
Teo Spengler, who has studied horticulture and written about nature, trees, plants, and gardening for over two decades, currently splits her life between San Francisco and the French Basque Country. She has experience gardening in a range of climates, having been raised in Alaska.
Invasive buckthorn shouldered out native plants because it leaves out early in spring and holds its leaves late into fall. It also produces chemicals inhibiting the growth of other species near it and opens up bare soil that is ideal for buckthorn to grow.
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- In the realm of environmental science, understanding the invasive nature of buckthorn and employing appropriate methods for its control, such as physical removal, chemical control, biological control, and native revegetation, is crucial for preserving the diversity of the ecosystem, a subject deeply explored by science enthusiasts like Teo Spengler.
- Adopting a lifestyle that promotes environmentally-friendly gardening practices, such as minimizing chemical usage and planting native species, can help in the fight against invasive species like buckthorn, aligning perfectly with the principles of home-and-garden and gardening enthusiasts.
