Brush & Buckthorn Removal Basics In Minnesota

Buckthorn has become a major issue in the midwestern United States. To promote biodiversity on your property, watch for it! Keep reading to learn more!

To reach our large acreage buckthorn and brush removal team in the Twin Cities area, call (763) 568-3007. If you’re closer to the Brainerd Lakes area, call (800) 630-2960. Either way, you can send a contact form straight to our email.

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What is Buckthorn?

“Common Buckthorn” is an invasive shrub or small tree that can grow up to 25 feet high. It is native to Europe and thrives in many habitats, including shady and dry areas. Due to its laxative effect on birds, it spreads very quickly.

Buckthorn was introduced to North America in the 19th century as an ornamental plant and for hedges. Its hardy nature and attractive berries made it popular among gardeners. However, its ability to spread quickly and aggressively was underestimated. Over time, buckthorn escaped cultivation and began to invade natural areas. Its rapid growth and lack of natural predators allowed it to spread unchecked, leading to significant ecological impacts.

Why is Buckthorn Bad?

Buckthorn outcompetes native plant life for sunlight and nutrients. It can change soil’s nitrogen content, making it more difficult for some other plants to survive. With other plants struggling, it grows taller and stronger, cutting off sunlight for the undergrowth. It spreads rapidly, continuing to kill off other plants that are important to the environment and animal life. It also grows woody thorns that can be very irritating to humans and animals.

How to Identify Buckthorn

Buckthorns are usually the first to leaf out in spring and the last to lose leaves in autumn. You can identify buckthorn by some of its normal characteristics:

Shiny gray to brown bark
Twigs often end in thorns
Black fruit clusters
Green, oblong leaves shaped almost like a football
Loose, spreading branches
Often has multiple woody stems at the base

What should I do if I have Buckthorn?

Buckthorn is a problem that should be dealt with promptly! Minnesota has identified buckthorn as a threat serious enough that it is illegal to import, sell, or transport within the state.

Regularly inspect your property and wooded land for signs of buckthorn. For more minor infestations, hand-pulling or digging the plants out can be effective if you remove the entire root system. Herbicides can also be used. After initial removal, continue to monitor your property.

For significant infestations across many acres, give us a call! At Wilderness Land Clearing & Mulching, we are experts in buckthorn eradication. We want to help you keep your property safe from this invasive weed and do our part to help the environment in our great state.

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