GLossy Buckthorn : (Frangula Alnus)
Glossy buckthorn forms dense thickets; outcompeting native plants. The berries have a laxative effect on birds and inhibit the ability to absorb nutrients. The seeds remain viable in the soil for 2+ years and can spread via water.
The grey haze in the understory of the forest is dense growth of buckthorn. When these leaf out they shade out anything below them in the herbaceous layer, preventing most other plants from growing.
removal Tips:
Young buckthorn can be pulled out easily by hand, especially after rain. For larger ones I use a weed wrench to help pull the roots out. Then shake off the dirt and be careful not to spread the berries. Cut stems will form regrowth of multiple smaller stems, for stubborn stumps I use a pickaxe.
NATIVE PLANT REPLACEMENT: Dogwood or Cherry
Buckthorn historically been used as a screening plant, growing in clusters and providing privacy and erosion control. Consider native Red Dogwood as a replacement if you want a screening plant, or choke cherry if you want a medium sized tree that doubles as a bird feeder!
Look-A-Like Plants: Cherry and river birch.
A key ID feature of buckthorn is the speckled bark on young stems. The white dots are "lenticels" (important for gas exchange) and can be prominent on both River Birch and Cherry bark.
Check the leaves and the buds, buckthorn leaves should have smooth edges and exposed hairy buds! If the leaves are toothed at all or if the buds have scales it is not buckthorn.
Check the leaves and the buds, buckthorn leaves should have smooth edges and exposed hairy buds! If the leaves are toothed at all or if the buds have scales it is not buckthorn.