Common Buckthorn
Common buckthorn is a small, deciduous tree native to East Asia that was introduced to North America as ornamental and hedgerow plantings.
Common Name: Common buckthorn
Scientific Name: Rhamnus cathartica
Native Range: Europe, Asia
Background
Common buckthorn is a small, deciduous tree native to East Asia that was introduced to North America as ornamental and hedgerow plantings. Its main stem can grow up to 10 inches in diameter but is more commonly 1-3 inches in shrub form. Leaves are dark green and oval with toothed margins and 3-5 pairs of distinct upcurved veins. The twigs of common buckthorn are often tipped with a sharp spine. Small, round, black berries ripen in the fall and serve as the primary spread mechanism for this species.
These species have spread into forests and open spaces, forming thickets and growing up to 25 feet tall. There are fairly widespread records of buckthorn in the southern and eastern Adirondacks, and up the Saranac and Ausable watersheds toward the High Peaks region, but this species is likely underreported.
Habitat
Buckthorns are adapted to a wide variety of site conditions and may be found along forest edges, rights-of-way, in canopy openings, and in open forested wetlands. Common buckthorn is most common in dry sites.
NYS Distribution Map
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Identification
Key identifying features for buckthorns include silver-brown bark with many horizontal ridges (lenticels) and ovular leaves with branching parallel veins. Glossy buckthorn has toothed leaf margins, while common buckthorn has smooth leaf margins, shinier foliage, and thorns at twig and stem junctions. Bark and foliage can look like some cherry species, but the inner bark is brown to orange versus the pink to red color of cherry.
Impact
Common buckthorn grows in dense thickets that crowd and shade out native shrubs and herbaceous species. Severe infestations may limit the regeneration of native tree seedlings.
Prevention and Control
Mechanical
Small plants can be removed with a shovel or weed wrench. The entire root system must be removed to prevent resprouting. Remove plants before fruit production to minimize additional spread.
Chemical
Selective herbicide applications can be used to control larger individuals or infestations. Glyphosate can be applied as a foliar spray or cut stem application. For best results, treatments should be performed during periods of active growth and full leaf expansion. Triclopyr based products can be used as a basal bark spray. Always consult and follow the herbicide product label.
