|
Life After'Removal of Buckthorn
<br />After buckrhom control, many sites may require
<br />replanting of desirable tree, shrub, and herbaceous speces:
<br />Removing buckthom will not only benefit the environ-
<br />ment, it provides opportunities for you to aeate wildlife
<br />habitat, re-design your landscape, and beautify an area.
<br />Do not make hasty decisions with your land, once
<br />you have removed and/or controlled buckthorn. Think
<br />about your goals and objectives for your property And
<br />`pause:' If you aze re-planting in the same places buck-
<br />thorn once grew, the soil will benefit if you wait one or
<br />two years before re-planting other trees and shrubs.
<br />Following are some alternative plantings that can be
<br />used in place of buckthorn. Check with a local nursery,
<br />extension service, Department of Natural Resources, or
<br />Depaztment of Agriculture for assistance on species rec-
<br />ommended for your azea. Here are a few ideas for
<br />replacing buckthorn:
<br />Alternative plantings for buckthorn
<br />Several species of native trees and shrubs display chaz-
<br />acteristics similaz to buckthorn. The following plants aze
<br />an example of some of the environmentally-fiiendly
<br />species available at gazden centers and nurseries. Note:
<br />The plants shown aze just a sampling of alternatives.
<br />High-bush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum)
<br />This multi-stemmed bush has
<br />lovely spring flowers and per-
<br />sistent red berries. Left
<br />unpruned, it will grow tall,
<br />but it can be pruned into a
<br />dense hedge. The European
<br />species (Vburnum opalus) is
<br />often sold in nurseries, but is
<br />invasive, and should be avoided.
<br />Nannyberry
<br />(Vaburnum lentago)
<br />Nannyberry is a tall shrub
<br />that grows in a variety of
<br />soils. It spreads gradually
<br />from a central clump, form-
<br />ing nicely shaped thicken. It
<br />has sweet, edible, blue-black
<br />fruity.
<br />(Prunes vir~iniana)
<br />Chokecherry grows in a vaziety of
<br />soil types. It develops into a tall
<br />shrub on rich, loam soils. On dry,
<br />sandy soil, it .takes on a shorter,
<br />bushier form. The bright berries
<br />make a delicious jelly and aze an
<br />important wildlife food.
<br />Grey dogwood
<br />(Corms racemosa)
<br />Commonly forms thickets at
<br />wetland mazgins, woods edges,
<br />steambanks, low spots in
<br />prairies and savannas, and
<br />along roadsides and aban-
<br />doned fields. It tolerates a vari-
<br />ety of soil types. Good for filling slopes or edges.
<br />Pagoda dogwood
<br />(Corms alternifolia)
<br />Native to rich, deciduous
<br />forests but is also commonly
<br />planted as a small ornamental
<br />tree. It prefers rich, lbam soil
<br />where the rooting. area is
<br />protected from summer heat
<br />or drought. Branches spread in horizontal layers giving
<br />,the tree a beautifirl form.
<br />American hazelnut (Corylus amerlcana)
<br />A widespread shrub in dry to
<br />moist forests and woodlands.
<br />It grows in a variety of soil
<br />types and tolerates dry, sandy
<br />soil or gravelly slopes. In the
<br />open, it sends up many stems
<br />forming clumps. Great food
<br />and cover for wildlife.
<br />Black chokeberry (Aronsa
<br />melanacarpa)
<br />Typically grows at the margins of
<br />lakes and wetlands-places where the
<br />soil is fairly rich and moist, and where
<br />it can get partial sun. It is colonial,
<br />but not aggressive. It has attractive
<br />white flowers in early summer, and
<br />shiny black berries with lovely red
<br />foliage in the autumn.
<br />For more information: r~
<br />Visit the Minnesota Depaztment of Natural _ urce Website at:
<br />bttp://mmm. dnrnate. mn.as/invasives/terrestriadplants/
<br />moody/buektborn/lndex.btml
<br />Or contatt the Minnesota Depaztment of Natural Resources.
<br />(651) 296-6157 (Metro azea) or (888) MINN-DNR (elsewhere)
<br />-Thin pamphlet mar produced mitt funds provided ky ibe Msxinetotdporeit `~
<br />StewardrHip. Program; Minnesota Foremy tt.vocattion aril MFA South ~:
<br />Chapur,~ Prairie Bntbsasiaetr, axd In>asive~Spetur Program af~a
<br />Mtnnerota Department ra'Nataral Reraprcrs. Edisdng and dessgn`ky
<br />Kathleen Preece and Brenda Cooke. Prixiied kY ProPrint, Dulush.
<br />B~
<br />What You "
<br />JCICT
<br />Blackthorn 6eafs
<br />ant early and
<br />retains leaver
<br />late into the
<br />full, crearirag
<br />dense shade
<br />that Helps it ro
<br />out-tampete
<br />many natiDe
<br />plans.
<br />~~ What happens when buckthorn has been planted as an ornamental
<br />shrub, a hedgerow, shelterbelt, or as a tree in your backyard?
<br />A• An impenetrable, messy thicket grows that:
<br />• Out competes our native plants for nutrients, light, and moisture.
<br />• Degrades wildlife habitat.
<br />•-Threatens the future of forests, wetlands, prairies, and other natural habitats.
<br />• Contributes to erosion by shading out other plants that grow on the forest floor.
<br />• Serves as host to other pests, such as crown rust fungus and soybean aphid.
<br />• Forms an impenetrable layer of vegetation.
<br />• Creates messy fruits that stain sidewalks and driveways.
<br />• Lacks `natural controls' like insects or disease that would curb its growth.
<br />A little history
<br />Buckthorn is not native to this country. Common or European buckthorn, and glossy buckthorn
<br />aze the two non-native invasive buckthorn species found in Minnesota. European buck-
<br />thorn was first brought to the state from Europe in the mid-1800s as a very popular
<br />hedging material. It escaped and became a nuisance plant, forming dense thickets in
<br />foresn, yards, parks, and roadsides. It crowded out native plane and displaced the
<br />native shrubs and small trees in the mid-layer of the forest where many species of
<br />-birds nested. European buckthorn is found nearly every Minnesota county, despite
<br />the fact that the sale, transport, and movement of these plane is prohibited. Glossy
<br />buckthorn, also from Europe, has been sold by the nursery trade in two different
<br />forms. The cultivar "Columnazis"is narrow and tall; the cultivaz "Aspenifolia" spreads up
<br />to 10 feet and has narrow leaves that give it a ferny texture.
<br />The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has declared Common or European'.: .
<br />' ~ buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartics) and glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frari®uda) as' `
<br />restricted noxious weeds. This means that-the sale, transportarion or movement
<br />of these plants is prohibited statewide by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture,
<br />. ~ ~;,. ~.
<br />__ -
<br />Chokecherry
<br />
|