FARTIER, Minnesota – A session on invasive buckthorn control is scheduled for Thursday, November 3 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center (400 Summit Avenue Southwest, Ferteer). The session will include information on both physical and chemical control methods.
Late autumn is a good time to control buckthorn. This is because the leaves remain green until late fall, making non-native invasive plants easier to identify.
For those who remain after the briefing, the event organizer will demonstrate how to get rid of buckthorn. The demonstration involves cutting and pulling buckthorn branches in the forest, with a focus on removing berry-producing plants to prevent the berries from sprouting next spring.
The Learning Center and Fertile City have loppers and pruners available for volunteers, as well as some gloves. Fall weather can be unpredictable, so participants should dress appropriately, wear layers, and bring snow or rain boots just in case.
Common buckthorn is the most common species found in the fertile sand dunes around the learning center. Introduced to North America from Europe in the 1800s, buckthorn has long been used in homeowners’ gardens as a hedge, ornamental shrub, and windbreak. However, it spreads rapidly from pruned and well-kept gardens and invades parks, roadsides and woodlands.
Buckthorns should be removed for the following reasons:
- It outperforms native plants in terms of light, moisture and nutrients.
- Reduces species diversity of plants, birds and other wildlife.
- Destroy wildlife habitat.
- Offer birds only one type of fruit when other native foods are depleted.
- It lacks natural control such as insects and plant diseases that attack it.
- The soybean aphid is the host.
For more information on upcoming buckthorn events, please contact Wayne Goeken at (218) 280-0516 or email wgoekenmn@gmail.com.
