2008-12-03 P & R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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When cutting trees, remember to keep track of the stumps. If stumps are not treated or removed, they will resprout vigorously. Within four years a stump sprout will grow big enough to flower and produce fruits. 2. Dig out the stumps or treat them with an herbicide. Of the several chemicals that work well, the two most common ones are glyphosate (Roundup) and triclopyr (Brush-B-Gon). Be sure to use chemicals properly, following all label instructions. If possible, look for an appropriate chemical product that comes with a spray nozzle. Wear protective clothing, such as rubber gloves and rubber boots. If you don't want to use chemicals, you can dig the stumps out with a shovel or grub ax. I had to remove about two dozen trees to clear our garden. This can lead to some really tough calluses and is much more aerobic than spraying. You can quickly dig out stumps of medium-sized trees (1 to 3 inches in diameter), but you can easily miss this size tree when cleaning out a large infested area. At home I wander around with my loppers and spray bottle a couple of times a year to catch any I have missed. 3. Pull up small trees (less than 1 inch) by hand. They do not have strong roots. Because small trees are also easily overlooked, they are a recurring problem, but one you can control with a little effort. 4. Remove seedlings with a hoe. By cutting down the seed-producing trees, you will eventually eliminate this problem. 5. Tell your neighbors about buckthorn. One of the best control methods is education. Remember, your neighbors' buckthorns will add seed to your side of the fence. Encourage your neighbors to remove their buckthorn, maybe offer to help, and share this Volunteer article; but do not remove anything without permISSIOn. 6. Decide what to do with buckthorn debris after removal. A 6-inch diameter buckthorn can be more than 20 feet tall. After removing trees, you could end up with a large pile of brush. If you have the space, you might want to make brush piles to attract a number of wildlife species. Another option is chipping the trees. I have used several large chip piles for my garden and trails. Many communities have brush pickup days: Contact your city to get more information. 7. Replace buckthorn with native species (see "Landscaping Without Buckthorn"). With buckthorns cut down, the character of the landscape will be changed. The understory will be much more open. Privacy hedges will have gaps. Effective buckthorn control takes a lot of effort. But if many of us work on small areas, we can help keep the problem from spreading. To learn more about using native trees and shrubs, consult a good book such as Landscaping for Wildlife by Carrol Henderson, available by calling 800-657-3757. Many garden centers offer advice on selection. Ask if the species spreads easily; aggressive plants can end up being a problem. For free fact sheets on growing native plants, contact the DNR Information Center. John J. Moriarty is a wildlife biologist with Hennepin Parks. He has been battling buckthorn at work and at his home in the Twin Cities for several years. He wrote about moles and shrews in the January-February 1998 issue.