Buckthorn Bust

Common Buckthorn... Our Common Enemy. Join Fulton's Buckthorn Bust!

The Problem...

Common or European buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) was brought to Minnesota in the mid 1800's as a popular hedging material. It has become invasive and is now so thick in our forests that it is shading out native plants and preventing their growth. Our neighborhoods are overcome with buckthorn, both on residential property and on parkland.

Did You Know...

Buckthorn on your property can contribute to the overgrowth of buckthorn on the parkland that is so valuable to the quality of life in our neighborhood. Buckthorn is often spread by birds that eat the berries at one location and drop the seeds in other areas. Even if the buckthorn on your property is blocks away from the parkland, it can still contribute to the problem.

Why is Buckthorn so Undesirable in our Yards and Parks?...

It displaces native plant species
Its dense growth provides limited visibility, creating a safety hazard
It destroys wildlife habitat
It is a host for harmful fungus
It contributes to soil erosion
It's berries are poisonous
It spreads aggressively
It chokes out the plants that provide winter habitat for the weevil that eats Eurasian watermilfoil.Yes, buckthorn overgrowth indirectly contributes to the milfoil problem in Lake Harriet!

The Solution...

Now that you understand the problems with buckthorn, there are several ways you can contribute to the solution.

Click to learn how...