Buckthorn takes over woods, fence lines and old fields across western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. It is easy to clear and easy to get back, so the plan matters as much as the machine.
How to tell it is buckthorn
- It leafs out early in spring and holds green leaves late into fall, after most native trees have dropped theirs.
- Common buckthorn has small thorn-like tips on the twigs and dark berries in late summer.
- Cut a small stem and look inside. Common buckthorn has bright orange wood.
- Glossy buckthorn has shiny leaves and no thorns. It is also invasive.
Why cutting alone does not work
Buckthorn sprouts back from the stump, often with several new stems. A cleared stand that is left alone usually fills back in within a few seasons. Berries in the soil add to it.
A plan that works
- Clear it. A drum mulcher takes down a dense stand in one pass and leaves chips on the ground. This is the fast, heavy part of the job.
- Treat the stumps and resprouts. The usual advice from state natural resource agencies is to treat cut stumps or new growth with an approved herbicide, following the label. This is done by you or a licensed applicator.
- Watch for two or three seasons. Pull or treat seedlings and resprouts as they appear.
- Plant or seed the open ground so something else claims the space.
Where we fit
We do the clearing. We mark the trees you want to keep, mulch the buckthorn, and leave you with open ground you can see and walk. We do not apply herbicide.
Know the rules
Wisconsin and Minnesota both restrict buckthorn, including moving or selling it. If you plan to haul cut buckthorn off your land, check with your state DNR first. Mulching in place avoids the question.