Common Buckthorn invasions can harm the economy and the environment. It out-competes native plants, reduces biodiversity, degrades the quality of wildlife habitat, and impacts a wide range of industries. Common Buckthorn is listed as a noxious weed in Ontario’s Weed Control Act.

Why is buckthorn a problem in Ontario?

Common Buckthorn invasions can harm the economy and the environment. It out-competes native plants, reduces biodiversity, degrades the quality of wildlife habitat, and impacts a wide range of industries. Common Buckthorn is listed as a noxious weed in Ontario’s Weed Control Act.

Should I remove common buckthorn?

For just a few small plants your plan may be as simple as a weekend of pulling buckthorn seedlings and regularly checking to see if new plants have taken root each year. For larger buckthorn infestations the first part of your plan should be to remove all of the berry producing buckthorn on your property.

Why is common buckthorn a problem?

The buckthorn growing in your garden is a serious threat to forest preserves and other natural areas near your home. Exotic species of buckthorn that come from Europe and Asia are invasive, meaning they outcompete native plants for space, sunlight and nutrients, upsetting the natural balance.

Are common buckthorn edible?

While birds (and sometimes mice) do eat buckthorn berries, it’s often because it’s the only available seed source. But buckthorn berries are not a good food source. They’re low in protein and high in carbohydrates and produce a severe laxative effect in some animals.

Is common buckthorn invasive in Ontario?

​Common (Rhamnus cathartica) and Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) are two of Ontario’s most unwanted invasive plants. These non-native buckthorns invade a variety of habitats, with glossy buckthorn often invading wetlands. Common buckthorn serves as a host for the fungus that is responsible for oat crown rust.

How do you get rid of buckthorn in Ontario?

Applying chemical (e.g. Garlon 4, glyphosate) to a recently cut stump is usually quite effective at killing buckthorns and minimizes the amount of chemical used. Shrubs can be cut using hand tools, chain saws or brush cutters and should be cut close to the ground.

Is common buckthorn invasive?

Common buckthorn is also invasive, but less so than glossy buckthorn in the Acadia region. Despite its name, glossy buckthorn stems are thornless, while common buckthorn has small spines on the end of its twigs.

Can you burn common buckthorn?

Potentially a lot! Buckthorn wood is fairly hard, but as a shrub or small tree is not useful as a commercial timber wood. I don’t see any reason why we can’t burn it, though. The larger limbs and trunks could be burned directly, in most cases without having to split them.

Is buckthorn native to Ontario?

​​​​​Common & Glossy Buckthorn. ​Common (Rhamnus cathartica) and Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) are two of Ontario’s most unwanted invasive plants. These non-native buckthorns invade a variety of habitats, with glossy buckthorn often invading wetlands.

How do I get rid of Common buckthorn?

In basal bark treatment, concentrated herbicide is applied to a band of bark around common buckthorn stems extending up 18 inches from the ground. Basal bark treatment is most effective on younger stems with thin bark. Drill and fill, and injection techniques are useful on larger trees.

Is common buckthorn poisonous?

Children – Buckthorn berries, bark and roots are toxic. The berries cause severe cramping and diarrhea in humans. Keep small children out of areas where buckthorn berries fall, as the blue/black berries may be mistaken for blueberries and accidentally eaten.

Is buckthorn native to Canada?

Common buckthorn is a small tree native to Europe and Asia. It was introduced to Canada as a windbreak in farmers fields and is known to spread aggressively through Southern Ontario and east to Nova Scotia. It forms dense even-aged thickets that often cause an overall reduction in the establishment of shade tolerant native shrubs and herbs.

Is common buckthorn a noxious weed?

Because it can affect agricultural crops, common buckthorn is listed as a noxious weed under Ontario’s Weed Control Act. Common buckthorn, showing typical deep green foliage in fall, dominates the lower layers of forests.

What is common buckthorn used for?

This species was often used in hedgerows and windbreaks, and was widely planted across the country. Common buckthorn is of concern to the agricultural community because it can host oat crown rust and soybean aphid, both of which reduce crop yields.

Is buckthorn an invasive species?

Common buckthorn produces clusters of berry-like black fruit in late summer and fall. Common buckthorn resembles another invasive species, glossy buckthorn ( Frangula alnus ), and a much smaller native shrub, alder-leafed buckthorn ( Rhamnus alnifolia ).