Common Buckthorn (rhamnus cathartica) is a wide-spread invasive shrub, not native to Turtle Island, North America. Berries eaten by birds facilitate the spread of the shrub. Unchecked, buckthorn creates dense forest understories that compete with and eliminate critical native forest plants and wildflowers. Buckthorn is resilient; simply cutting it will not eliminate the shrub.
Approach
Wild Patch follows best practices for removal and abatement as recommended by the Ontario Invasive Plant Council.
- Shrubs with berries are prioritized in removal. Berries must be contained and removed.
- Smaller diameter plants can be manually extracted with roots intact, which is optimal.
- Larger diameter plants will be cut and capped with 6mm black plastic. These require multi-year monitoring for suckering.
- All lands will require ongoing observation and manual removal of new buckthorn seedlings (simply by pulling them out).
- As a matter of safety to humans and more-than-human lives, I do not use or apply glyphosates or other herbicides.
Disposal of buckthorn is dependent on volume and scale.
Pricing
Initial evaluation and assessment free of charge.
Extraction and abatement: $65 / hour (two hour minimum)
- Includes extraction, bagging of berry branches for landfill, stacking of buckthorn.
Disposal options: burn as firewood, stacked brush pile for habitat, chipping for mulch.
Contact
Get in touch at info@wildpatch.ca for more information.
Removal of other invasive species
Reach out by email! Yes, I will gladly advise on your site’s remediation and can remove and/remediate other invasive species. Let’s talk first.
Common Invasive Species:
Vinca, Lily-of-the-Valley, Goutweed, Yellow Archangel Lamiums, Miscanthus, Deadly Bittersweet Nightshade, Barberry, Akebia quintata, Bindweed, Knotweed, Phragmites, Eunonymus, Purple Loosestrife, Wild Parsnip, Himalayan Balsam, Creeping Bellflower, Dame’s Rocket
Different species require different approaches. Let’s talk!
Learn more at Ontario Invasive Plants
Landowner’s Guides to Managing and Controlling Invasives
Why Remove Buckthorn
I began our land stewardship in 2023 with ½ acre of land. Removal of invasive species and applied native forest restoration is a long-term practice. After three years, I have seen monumental benefits: improved water management, cooler microclimate, biocontrol of vegetable garden pests such as aphids, wildly-diverse insects that support breeding and migratory birds.
Land stewardship is an ethical responsibility and a meaningful opportunity to practice land reconciliation through the removal of invasive species and subsequent planting of functional native plant ecosystems. I’m here to support your own land stewardship.