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Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board September 13, 1999 F.-.LL CLEANUP OF YOUR LA-\-DSC_-kPE INCLUDES BUCKTHORN REMOVA-L October is when we begin the process of putting our gardens to bed for the winter. It's the time when roses are covered and when annual flowers and vegetables are pulled and added to the compost once a killing frost hits. It is recommended that many perennials be cut down also following the frost. However.if you attract birds to your garden,do not cut down late season perennial bloomers such as sedum, coneflower, hyssop and ornamental grasses. The seed heads on these plants will remain for the winter and provide additional food for the birds. In addition to your regular yard preparations for the winter, there is one more task to add to your list. In mid September.the Minnesota Department of Agriculture added Buckthorn to the noxious weed list here in the state of Minnesota. Its placement on this list reflects the serious problems that landowners and park systems are experiencing with this plant. Buckthorn is readily spread by birds that eat the fruits and leave seeds in droppings at the next site they visit. Buckthorn shrubs are easily seen at this time of the vear. When most trees and shrubs have dropped their leaves for the winter.buckthorn will continue to retain its green leaves often into late December. The art below details the foliage of the three different buckthorns common in our area. Common and the two Glossy-*Columnaris'(Tallhedge)and'Asplenifolia'(Femleaf) We are asking your assistance in helping to remove this plant from within Minneapolis. Buckthorn has overtaken our park woodlands and now is invading wetlands. If you have any of the three buckthorns noted below,please either dig it out or cut it down and prevent it from,resprouting. Only through the assistance of city residents can we hope to have a chance to turn our woodlands around. As long as there are buckthorn plants in private property areas, there will be fruits available for the birds to spread. We have begun an effort to remove buckthorn from parklands,but its success will depend on you. Please help by destroying any buckthorn on your property. If you want information on how to remove buckthorn and treat stumps, we can help by providing you with fact sheets on buckthorn control. Send a stamped. self-addressed envelope to: 'NTVRB-Buckthom Info, 3800 Bryant Avenue South,Minneapolis.Minnesota 55409. For further intormation on this release, call . fan- at 612-313-7726 P.S. To media: .4 detailed article entitled "alien ,411elopaths " '.ras sent to you this spring. If you have not alreadv published it, it would be an ideal companion article for this news release. If you cannot locate your cony, please call . fan_� and she can either e-,mail You a copy or e-mail you the rile with this article. Rhamnus cathartica Rhamnus cathartica twig tip Rhamnus trangula 4spenitolia Rhamnus franguia