European Buckthorn

8/6/2019 European Buckthorn

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Invasive Plant Species:Invasive Plant Species:European (Common) BuckthornEuropean (Common) Buckthorn

((RhamnusRhamnus catharticacathartica ))

Glossy BuckthornGlossy Buckthorn((FrangulaFrangula alnusalnus ))

Nathan Mosner

Robert Dass

Conservation Biology Presentation

Spring Semester 2005

Stephen L. Solheim


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What is Buckthorn?hat is Buckthorn?As Mary Maguire Lerman describes it: "Remember when Sleeping Beautyfalls asleep and a big thicket grows up over the whole castle, and when theprince comes, he has to hack through the thicket? Well, that's buckthorn."

What does it look like?hat does it look like?

Glossy BuckthornCommon Buckthorn

K. E. Bolin, MnDOTRobert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA


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What is the Problem?hat is the Problem?Invasive plants alone are estimated to cause more than $20 million per year in economic damage in the US.

As an estimate of ecological harm, 46% of threatened and endangeredspecies owe their listing to uncontrolled spread of invasive species.

Doesnt just find niches but takes over preferable habitats.

Weakens nearby plant species by reducing their reproductive successand growth rate by reducing uptake of water.

They leaf out early in the season (Late April), and retain leaves untilNovember.

Over one growing season may increase height by ~2m.

If lighting permits may sprout multiple shoots from trunk base to increaseseed production.

Seeds are efficient dispersers.Carmen Converse, The Nature Conservancy


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OutlineutlinePhylogenyPhylogenyCharacteristicsCharacteristicsHistoryHistory

Location and IntroductionLocation and IntroductionControl and eradicationControl and eradicationPros and ConsPros and ConsConclusionConclusion Stephen L. SolheimCommon Buckthorn


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PhylogenyhylogenyKingdomKingdom PlantaePlantae -- plants plantsSubkingdomSubkingdom TracheobiontaTracheobionta --vascular plantsvascular plants

SuperdivisonSuperdivison SpermatophytaSpermatophyta --Seed plantsSeed plants

DivisionDivision MagnoliosidaMagnoliosida --DicotyledonsDicotyledonsSubclassSubclass RosidaeRosidaeOrder Order RhamnalesRhamnales

FamilyFamily RhamnaceaeRhamnaceae --Buckthorn Family Buckthorn Family GenusGenus FrangulaFrangula --BuckthornBuckthorn

SpeciesSpecies alnusalnus --Glossy Buckthorn/ Glossy Buckthorn/ CatharticaCathartica -- CommonCommonBuckthornBuckthorn

Frangula alnus

Hugh H. Iltis


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Feature Characteristicseature CharacteristicsInvasive plant species, which are commonly grown in hedge rows,Invasive plant species, which are commonly grown in hedge rows, but can alsobut can also

invade open fields, pine forest undergrowth, and certain wetlandinvade open fields, pine forest undergrowth, and certain wetlandenvironments.environments.

Both common and glossy buckthorn form small trees (trunk diameteBoth common and glossy buckthorn form small trees (trunk diamete r


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Invasive Buckthornnvasive BuckthornWhy is this subject relevant?Why is this subject relevant?

Ecological ThreatExotic buckthorns tend to form dense, even-aged thickets, crowding and

shading out native shrubs and herbs, often completely obliterating them.

Dense buckthorn seedlings prevent native tree and shrub regeneration.

In fire-adapted ecosystems such as savannas and prairies, the lack of vegetation under buckthorn canopies, prohibits fires.

Buckthorn is under current study for the relationships it forms with other invasive species such as earthworms.

It is documented that Buckthorn is the host of pests such as aphids andfungus that damage US cash crops.

Major threat to Minnesota and Wisconsin ecosystems.

Susan Wieseler, Minnesota DNR


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HistoryistoryCommon buckthorn native to Europe and northwest Asia.Glossy buckthorn native to North Africa, Asia, and Europe.Introduced in North America as an ornamental.Farmers and common folk planted it for hedge rows and windblocks because of its thick foliage and fast growth.

Considered a Noxious plant in Minnesota, not in Wisconsin.Noxious Plant : Can no longer be sold or transported legally(within the state).Native birds relish the berries of both Common and Glossybuckthorns for nutrition and disperse seeds.Buckthorn seeds are able to remain dormant in the soil for years,until favorable conditions arise. Viable for up to 6 years.Known to be very hardy and thrives in a variety of soil and lightconditions.Archibold, Brooks, and Delanny, Canadian Natural Resource Dept.


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Location and introductionocation and introductionInvasive Buckthorn is located:Invasive Buckthorn is located:As far northeast as Nova Scotia, down through New England, and aAs far northeast as Nova Scotia, down through New England, and a s far s far

west as Colorado, north to Saskatchewan and as far south aswest as Colorado, north to Saskatchewan and as far south asTennessee.Tennessee.

Often established on the edges of woods and can invade prairiesOften established on the edges of woods and can invade prairies andandopen fields. Also seen in wetlands and high alkaline soils.open fields. Also seen in wetlands and high alkaline soils.

Introduction:Introduction:Introduced into North America in the early 1800s near Nova ScotIntroduced into North America in the early 1800s near Nova Scot ia, butia, but

not widespread until the 1900s.not widespread until the 1900s.First present in Minnesota in the early 1900s, introduced as heFirst present in Minnesota in the early 1900s, introduced as he dgingdging

material.material.


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Wisconsin Distributionisconsin Distribution

Glossy SpeciesDate of invasion map

Common SpeciesDate of Invasion Map

USDA, National Plant Data Base


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U.S. Distributions.S. Distributions

Glossy SpeciesUS Distribution Map

Common SpeciesUS Distribution Map

USGS


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ControlontrolEarly Identification, before seed production, is vital.Early Identification, before seed production, is vital.Small buckthorn seedlings can be removed by hand, or with weedSmall buckthorn seedlings can be removed by hand, or with weed wrench.wrench.If larger (young adult) buckthorn exists, mechanical removal mayIf larger (young adult) buckthorn exists, mechanical removal may be required, however thisbe required, however thisgreatly disturbs the soil composition and may encourage infestatgreatly disturbs the soil composition and may encourage infestat ion by other weed species.ion by other weed species.If overgrowth (mature adult) buckthorns exists, sawing the trunkIf overgrowth (mature adult) buckthorns exists, sawing the trunk at the base and either at the base and either digging the stump out or applying herbicide (8%digging the stump out or applying herbicide (8% Triclopyr Triclopyr amine) to stump may be required.amine) to stump may be required.

Bruce Larson, Minnesota DNR


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Replacement Shrubseplacement Shrubs

Red Osier Dogwood

High Bush Cranberry

Nannyberry

Welby Smith, Michael Lee, Minnesota DNR


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Keystone Specieseystone SpeciesBuckthorn can be considered a keystoneBuckthorn can be considered a keystonespecies because it facilitates the survival andspecies because it facilitates the survival andspread of other exotic species such as Asianspread of other exotic species such as Asiansoybean aphid.soybean aphid.Other studies are also being conducted toOther studies are also being conducted to

see if buckthorn houses fungal communitiessee if buckthorn houses fungal communitiesthat cause Oat Crown Rustthat cause Oat Crown Rust PucciniaPucciniacoronatacoronata ..

Cereal Disease Laboratory


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Control Measures Notontrol Measures NotRecommendedecommended

FireFire

Controlled burns usually topControlled burns usually top --kill seedlings and smaller buckthornkill seedlings and smaller buckthorntrees, but it doesnt eradicate them.trees, but it doesnt eradicate them.

Annual fires must be repeated until native (fireAnnual fires must be repeated until native (fire --resistant) vegetationresistant) vegetationhas established and can reclaim the ecosystem.has established and can reclaim the ecosystem.

Use of fire is best reserved for fireUse of fire is best reserved for fire --dependent ecosystems such asdependent ecosystems such asprairies or oak savannas.prairies or oak savannas.

Clear cutting without treatmentClear cutting without treatmentCutting buckthorn to the ground without treating the stumps willCutting buckthorn to the ground without treating the stumps will causecausethe plant to heavily rethe plant to heavily re --sprout from the base which will lead to asprout from the base which will lead to aworse situation than not cutting it at all.worse situation than not cutting it at all.

K. Lindroth

K. Lindroth


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ProsrosThe anthraquinones in Buckthorn makes it more resistant to rotting.

William Cunningham, University of Minnesota


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ConsonsCons:Cons:OutOut --competes native plants for nutrients, lightcompetes native plants for nutrients, lightand moisture.and moisture.

Contributes to erosion by shading out other Contributes to erosion by shading out other plants growing on forest floor.plants growing on forest floor.Threatens future of forests, wetlands, prairiesThreatens future of forests, wetlands, prairies

and other natural habitats.and other natural habitats.Serves as host to other pests such as crownServes as host to other pests such as crownrust fungus and soybean aphid.rust fungus and soybean aphid.


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In conclusion...n conclusion...Invasive species such as Buckthorn are of greatInvasive species such as Buckthorn are of greateconomic concern because of their costs of control andeconomic concern because of their costs of control anderadication.eradication.Buckthorns rapidly form dense thickets that easilyBuckthorns rapidly form dense thickets that easilyspread and take over native ecosystems.spread and take over native ecosystems.Invasive in the US since midInvasive in the US since mid --1800s, not present in1800s, not present inMinnesota until early 1900s.Minnesota until early 1900s.Eradication methods are expensive and labor intensive,Eradication methods are expensive and labor intensive,easily reestablished by Buckthorn or other invasiveeasily reestablished by Buckthorn or other invasivespecies if not maintained well.species if not maintained well.


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Works Citedorks CitedConverse, C. 1985. Element Stewardship Abstract, Rhamnus cathartica . The Nature Conservancy.

Goodlaatte, B. 2002. Hearing before the subcommittee on department operations, oversight, nutrition, forestry of committee on agriculture. U.S. Government Printing Office 2 nd session: 107-25.

A Guide to Busting Buckthorn. www.friendsoftheparks.org/MRBR.html. February 27, 2005.

Lindroth, R. Invasive Species and Ecosystem functioning. http://entomology.wisc.edu/~madritch/projects.html. February27, 2005.

Wieseler, S. (2003) http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/rhca1.htm

Archibold, O. W., D. Brooks, and L. Delanoy. 1997. An investigation of the invasive shrub European Buckthorn, Rhamnuscathartica L., near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Canadian Field Naturalist 111(4): 617-621.

Boudreau, D., and G. Willson. 1992. Buckthorn research and control at Pipestone National Monument (Minnesota).Restoration and Management Notes 10:1 94-95.

Glass, S. 1994. Experiment finds less herbicide needed to control Buckthorn (Wisconsin). Restoration and ManagementNotes 12:1 93.

Lerman, M.M. 2001. Whats so bad about Buckthorn? Star Tribune. www.startribune.com/articles/invasivebuckthorn.

Whole Health MD.com, 2000. Buckthorn bark health supplements. http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,10141,00.html.

Minnesota DNR. 2005. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/woody/buckthorn/index.html.

Cunningham, W. P. 2000. Mississippi River Bluff Restoration. http://www.friendsoftheparks.org/MRBR.html

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European Buckthorn