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Buckthorn, off at the wrong time is quite ineffective as you say. =
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Glossy buckthorn spread has been attributed mainly to the (unregulated)
nursery industry, sold as a rather showy ('glossy') shrub that was planted
near homes. In all of the scientific publications I have read, I have not
seen any reference to the Acadians. Perhaps they brought some, but most of
the buckthorn arrived far more recently. The more recent horticultural
plantings, followed by recent disturbances from accelerated forest
harvesting and land clearing are helping it spread much more rapidly now.
Some of the oldest buckthorn around the Caledonia area are ~30-40 years of
age.
I have cut it in the fall and had it spring back up. There are countless
research papers on the topic of glossy buckthorn control because of its
incredible resilience. No one has yet found an easy fix. Cutting has been
tried repeatedly in both Canada and US without success. Autumn is
precisely the time when I do cut stump treatments. Unfortunately waiting
until fall allows it to produce an entire season of fruit if it is a mature
plant. I have now revised my strategy to lop off the tops (with flowers and
fruit) early, then returning to make a fresh stump cut in the fall to follow
up with a small chemical treatment on the cut stem. While small plants can
be pulled out easily, mature plants are nearly impossible to pull, even with
a fancy weed wrench.
Unfortunately, I have also seen it grow in great multitudes in the
understory of intact white pine forest, deep in the shade. All it needs is
an uprooting event, or some form of canopy gap to spring forth and occupy a
newly opened space. One scientific paper describes how it 'may' eventually
be outcompeted in the shaded growth of hemlock forest. That gives some
hope, but our current forest practices no longer seem to allow forests to
mature and attain canopy closure. Fens and riversides offer plenty of
light for buckthorn growth, eventually pushing out important and sometimes
rare native species.
Conclusion: Aggressively eradicate this plant wherever found. Perhaps one
day in the future we will have better long-term solutions that do not
involve chemical use. Meanwhile we need to control it as best possible in
order to protect native biodiversity. If control is successfully achieved
over its propensity to stump-sucker by simply cutting the plant at precisely
the correct time, we should herald the method and carefully document success
so that others may follow suit. Protected area managers and many others
will want your 'recipe'.
We were the cause of this plant's introduction, so we should at least try to
undo our own damage.
Donna Crossland
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca]
On Behalf Of David & Alison Webster
Sent: June-09-14 2:12 PM
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Glossy Buckthorn
Hi Donna & All,
I am talking about Rhamnus frangula AKA, Frangula alnus & Glossy
Buckthorn.
Cutting most woody perennials, including Glossy Buckthorn, off at the
wrong time is quite ineffective as you say.
But for cutting to have maximum effect they should be cut off at the
right time; just after current photosynthates have been spent growing
shoots, roots and fruit but before downward flow into roots for storage
commences. For most woody plants here August is safe.
And they do flop over when stands become dense especially if there are
full scale trees nearby. They expend too much energy keep leaves in sunlight
and not enough in stem diameter. If by chance a bunch become bent over by
snow or ice it is game over.
This plant was brought over by the Acadians probably as a source of good
porous charcoal for gunpowder. Do you not find it curious that it has become
a 'pest' only in recent decades ? Why did it just sit around hatching evil
plans for nearly 400 years ?
Yt, Dave Webster, Kentville
----- Original Message -----
From: Donna Crossland <mailto:dcrossland@eastlink.ca>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2014 12:13 PM
Subject: RE: [NatureNS] Glossy Buckthorn
I've worked with glossy buckthorn for several years now. Glossy buckthorn
that is merely cut down will absolutely regrow vigorously unless it is
re-cut over many years (similar to cutting down alder bushes-they spring
back up with astounding rapidity). They will absolutely not flop over and
perish. (If only!) This must be some other plant, or this site has been
contaminated with something.
The decision to used glyphosate very sparingly (taking care to apply it
directly on the plant and not using spray that may drift and hit non-target
native plants) is not one to be taken lightly. Those who have made the
decision to use it were oftentimes anti-spray/anti=chemical folks just like
me, who were forced to rethink a long-term strategy after extensive research
and consultation with experts about the ecological traits of this species.
After trying cutting, pulling, and girdling, I've revised my thinking to add
an additional 'tool to the toolbox'. (Obviously another 'tool' that must be
included is public education, and so the Herald article is a good start.)
Glyphosate is now used (though as sparingly as possible by painting foliage
and/or dabbing it directly on cut stumps) in several of our national parks
in eastern Canada and also by the Nature Conservancy. Glossy buckthorn is
rapidly closing in within Kejimkujik National Park, as well as along the
riparian zones of the Mersey and Medway rivers. It is rapidly appearing all
over the province. Some small woodlot owners who have carried out careful
selection harvests on their woodlot have received an invasion of glossy
buckthorn instead of valuable native tree species. (This is a serious
impact to their economic returns, and some are waiting for DNR to provide
some direction on this new and serious problem.) Since it has the ability
to grow in shade of undisturbed forests, as well as more open situations,
there is almost no where that it cannot establish. Sean Blaney at the
Conservation Data Centre informs me that it can take over and literally
transform fens. Fruit at cathartic to birds, and we are now left to
question whether it may even impact the ability for some avian species to
fatten up for migratory flights... (more research required). I don't mean
to be alarmist, but if we don't want to see great, impenetrable walls of
glossy buckthorns in protected areas and other biologically diverse areas,
then the initiatives that were otherwise criticised below must be adopted.
If you do not yet have glossy buckthorn on your land, I suggest you look
again (it is easily overlooked), or wait for its arrival. Coming soon to a
place near you! This is the "new normal".
Donna Crossland
-----Original Message-----
From: nat