Click on the YouTube screen to watch our 5 minute video "Buckthorn Boot Camp." You'll learn about some of the things that buckthorn pullers need to be aware of in advance of removing buckthorn. More information is found in this section in Janet Larson's Buckthorn Primer and our garlic mustard section.

Eurasian earthworms, gypsy moths, zebra mussels, Eurasian milfoil, curlyleaf pondweed, garlic mustard and buckthorn are among the most notorious, invasive, animal and plant species harming Minnesota’s remaining, native ecosystems. Friends of Birch Island Woods hopes that the information and links in this section will be helpful to prospective buck and mustard combatants from the do-it-yourself and community service sectors.

Buckthorn – the demon weed tree

European or common buckthorn is designated a noxious weed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. If left unchecked over the years, buckthorn can form thickets which out-compete Minnesota’s native woodland plants. The result is a green monoculture underneath the tall, mature trees in which native insects, small mammals and song birds can no longer thrive.

Effective do-it-yourself buckthorn control requires sound knowledge and planning. As you remove the larger buckthorns from your property, you’ll begin appreciating the beauty of a stand of Minnesota hardwoods with a healthy under story. You’ll also find that removing smaller buckthorn plants when the soil is moist can be easier than pulling dandelions or mowing the lawn once or twice a week.

Begin by downloading Janet Larson’s buckthorn primer

AND

Continue on to the FBIW Buckthorn Portal
for useful links and info

Garlic Mustard -- The Rampant Colonizer

Garlic mustard is one of the invasive weeds that is harming Minnesota woodlands. If unchecked, the plant will force a decline in native forest plants which leads to declines in native insect, bird and mammal populations. Colonies of garlic mustard have taken hold in a number of wooded areas in Minnetonka and Eden Prairie including the Birch Island Woods Conservation Area.

Begin by downloading the Wisconsin DNR’s primer on GARLIC MUSTARD

Continue on to the FBIW Garlic Mustard Portal

Aiding our parks and natural areas

WARNING
The removal of buckthorn and other invasive plant species such as Asian Honeysuckle and garlic mustard in city parks, conservation areas and open spaces, regional parks, wildlife management areas, state parks or the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge is prohibited unless written permission from the managing entity is obtained in advance.

Click here to find out who to contact about removing invasive plants from our parks

Friends of Birch Island Woods
BUCKTHORN & NOXIOUS WEED SEMINARS & PULLS

“Fightin’ buck is more satisfying than my golf game.” -- Jeff Strate

FBIW runs buckthorn, invasive plant & woodland plant seminars with forestry professionals in the spring, fall and winter or by special arrangement for groups. They’re intended for home owners, grounds keepers and scouts.

FBIW also coordinates buckthorn & garlic mustard pulls in Birch Island Woods and loans out Weed Wrenches to those who have attended our buckthorn seminars & pulls.

For scheduled buckthorn seminars & pulls