Introduction:
Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) Weed.
Rhamnus cathartica commonly known as common or European buckthorn is a deciduous small tree that prefers lightly shaded conditions. It is tolerant of many soil types and can be found in open oak woods, deadfall openings in woodlands and edges of woodlands. It may also be found in prairies and open fields. It tends to form dense, often even-aged thickets, crowding and shading out native shrubs and herbs. In fire-adapted ecosystems the lack of vegetation under buckthorn prohibits fires. R. cathartica is also an alternate host of the crown rust of oats. Fire is very effective in controlling R. cathartica and is a preferred method when the population is young. In wetlands water tables have been artificially lowered in order to attempt to control this species.
Description
R. cathartica is a deciduous small tree or coarse shrub 2 to 6m tall. The glabrous branches usually have shoots that are tipped with stout spines. The leaves are arranged opposite to sub-opposite, are elliptic to ovate, 3.6 to 7.2cm long, and can be acute or obtuse. They are glabrous and have minutely serrate margins. The lateral veins (usually 3, but can have 2 or 4) on each side are strongly upcurved. The plant leafs out early in spring and leaves remain on the plant late into the autumn, when most of the native species have already lost their leaves.”
Occurs in:
Natural forests, planted forests, range/grasslands, scrub/shrublands.
Habitat description:
Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) Distribution in North America shown in green.
R. cathartica prefers lightly shaded conditions. An invader mainly of open oak woods, deadfall openings in woodlands, and woods edges, it may also be found in prairies and open fields. It is tolerant of many soil types, well drained sand, clay, poorly drained calcareous, neutral or alkaline, wet or dry.R. cathartica seems to do best in well-lit, well-drained areas, but is tolerant of a broad range of soil types (neutral to alkaline, sandy or clayey soils) and light conditions. Across its range, R. cathartica is a particularly problematic invasive of deciduous forest communities. For example, the eastern deciduous forest community, found throughout much of the American portion of its range, has experienced extensive invasion.
The native habitats of R. cathartica are diverse and include the understory of open oak , oak-beech, or ash woods. It also occurs in riverine woods, thickets on exposed rocky sites, hedgerows, pastures and alkaline shrub carr fens. It grows in well-drained sand, clay, or poorly drained calcareous soils, but prefers neutral or alkaline soils. It is less vigorous in dense shade, and may grow on woodland edges in sunny southern or western exposures.
Management information:
Physical:Fire is very effective in controlling R. cathartica and is the preferred method whenever feasible. Regular prescribed fire will kill seedlings and shrubs of these species in fire-adapted upland and wetland (e.g. fens, sedge meadows, marshes) sites. Some control usually will be evident after the first burn. However, for complete control in established stands of R. cathartica, burning yearly or every other year may be required for 5-6 years or more. In wetlands, where the water table has been artificially lowered, restoration of water levels often will kill R.
Close up of Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) Weed.
cathartica. When burning is not feasible, larger trees can be cut or girdled and re-sprouts clipped as they occur. In upland areas where burning is not feasible, cut stumps can be treated with Trimec or Roundup to prevent re-sprouting.\
Prescribed burning: Used to control R. cathartica in some natural areas. Fire will top kill stems, however re-sprouting will occur and seed germination may increase. Several years of burning may be necessary to control these species and may not be appropriate in some natural areas. Hand pulling may be successful in small infestations, although several seasons may be required, as re-sprouting will occur if part of the root is left behind. This method also disturbs the soil, increasing seed germination. Repeated mowing has been reported effective in maintaining open areas and preventing seedling establishment.
Chemical: The best time of year to use herbicides on i>R. cathartica is just after the native grasses and wildflowers have gone dormant. Herbicide applications may be done early in the season just after the trees have leafed out and before the trees have begun to bud, but those conducted in the fall or early winter appear to be the most effective.
Control of R. cathartica with systemic herbicides has been successful in many situations. Application of Roundup®, Accord®, Glypro® or Garlon 4® to cut stumps during the growing season and in warm days of winter has proven to be effective. Other application methods may include basal bark and foliar application. A foliar application of Garlon 3A® in dense thickets may be very effective in the spring and fall. Without treatment, stems will re-sprout vigorously after cutting due to the extensive root system.”
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