Buckthorn Control
You may be one of many Minnesota homeowners who want invasive buckthorn removed from your property. If so, Optimum Care can help! We specialize in buckthorn management and forest restoration services in the West Metro area. Let us help restore the native biodiversity to your woodlands.
What is Buckthorn
What is Buckthorn?
​Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) are woody shrubs or small trees that are native to Europe and Asia. Buckthorn was introduced to North America in the 1800's as an ornamental plant, often used around the border of a property. It's sharp thorns are a deterrent to wildlife, and the dark green foliage provides privacy. It has since spread aggressively across the state and can now be found in nearly every county of MN. Buckthorn is classified as an invasive species in the state of MInnesota.
What Should Be Done?
Removing buckthorn is important for the health of your property and woods. Buckthorn invades natural habitats by outcompeting native plants for light, water, and nutrients. It alters the natural landscape, reduces biodiversity, and changes soil chemistry, which can further damage native plants and wildlife. Removal of buckthorn is therefore essential for maintaining and restoring our native ecosystems.
How Can We Help?
Our experience and equipment can save you years of backbreaking work with an effective outcome. Buckthorn management is a multi-year commitment. Starting with the labor and equipment-intensive step of physical removal. Followed by years of maintenance. Female (berry) trees are the primary culprit in the flight of this invasive species, being spread by birds and other wildlife. As well as a shallow root system that is difficult to remove and easily propagates into new plants. Most viable seeds in the soil germinate within two years but can remain dormant for up to 7 years.
Methods and Materials
Hand Pulling
Is a great method for small plants less than 3/4" in diameter, it consists of removing the entire plant and roots. No chemicals are involved but it is very labor intensive. We suggest only using this technique with small infestations.
Stump Cut and Treat
This method is exactly how it sounds and is used for larger trees. You cut the tree down to approximately a 4" stump and treat it within 20 minutes. If for some reason the herbicide does not kill the root system the option remains to cut and treat the stump again. We are licensed through the MN Department of Agriculture to apply herbicides.
*All buckthorn removed is brought to a composting site that has the Seal of Testing Assurance for noxious weeds.