Whats the Problem With Buckthorn, Anyway?
What familiar woody plant starts easily from seed, is capable of producing large quantities of berries that birds love to eat, grows vigorously in sun or shade, and grows well in soil that is rich, sandy or clayey? It comes in three varieties to meet all our garden needs common, glossy and fernleaf, and is available with and without thorns to meet our property protection needs. Valued for its medicinal properties and its superior characteristics as a fast-growing hedge, it makes good firewood and produces fruit and bark usable for dyes. The plant is Rhamnus, commonly known as buckthorn! What has naturalized and now grows throughout the northeastern and north central third of the U.S.? What has proven so adaptable to wetlands and woodlands that it warrants its own “watch” program and has inspired the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to institute five-year eradication partnerships with residents? Again, buckthorn! Non-native buckthorn came to us from Eurasia and was popular as a she
