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Presbyterian Homes of Arden Hills Preliminary Landscape Management Plan Page 4 Buckthorn removal is a true management activity, made difficult by the plant's inherent vigor, its vigorous root system, and the fact that the plant spreads by seeds eaten by birds. There are no natural controls for buckthorn, such as diseases or insects that would otherwise limit the plant's spread. Removing —or more correctly controlling, buckthorn will be an on -going maintenance operation. It's an important activity, however, as buckthorn's vigorous growth can easily thwart the growth of more valued trees and plants in the buffer. Initial removal will be scheduled as a part of the early stages of the redevelopment project; on -going removal will likely be necessary due to the vigorous regeneration potential of Buckthorn. The removal process would include the following tasks: 1. Clearly identify locations where buckthorn exists and will be removed; train those who will be removing buckthorn to identify the plant to ensure that only buckthorn in removed; 2. Remove all buckthorn trees three inches in diameter and larger with power equipment; 3. Mark the stump of any removed tree immediately upon cutting so that it can be found and treated; 4. Remove the stump or apply herbicide (glyphosate such as RoundUp or triclopyr such as Brush- B -Gon) to any exposed stump (untreated stumps will sprout and are capable of producing fruit within four years); caution should be exercised with the application of any chemicals; protective clothing, rubber gloves and boots should be used when applying the chemicals; 5. Remove stumps with a shovel, grub ax, or stump remover such as a "Root Talon." This may only be effective for trees one inch in diameter or smaller. 6. The roots of buckthorn are vigorous, but not necessarily strong; some smaller trees may be able to be removed by hand pulling; hand pulling will likely be the most effective long term control method if performed on an annual basis (because buckthorn will be smaller and more readily removed); 7. Remove seedlings with a hoe to prevent further production of seed producing plants; 8. Identify locations of buckthorn on nearby sites; the seeds of buckthorn are easily transported by birds after being consumed, so a significantly larger effort may be necessary to control buckthorn on the site; 9. Dispose of buckthorn debris legally off the project site; 10. Reestablish understory growth with species appropriate to the buffer. 11. Removal might also be achieved through basal bark treatment, applying Garton (12 to 15 percent triclophyr) in oil, diesel, or kerosene. Application is best in late fall when other plants have lost their leaves (the leaves of buckthorn are persistent, making it more readily identified in the fall). By spraying the lower portions of the trunk including the root collar until wet (but not dripping), and by spraying each stem of every plant, the plant will not leaf out the following growing season. Once the plant is dead, it can be cut and removed, or even left in place to rot. Infected trees. Elms in wooded areas of the site that have been infected by Dutch Elm disease should be removed. Removal activities might also consider nearby trees as infected trees in surrounding areas could permit the elm bark beetle to move to new hosts in currently healthy elms. Timely removal can help to slow the spread of the disease (in the wooded areas of the