Buckthorn Control plays a vital role in ensuring that a forest or prairie can thrive in its natural environment. Even though Buckthorn Control can occur at different times of the year, there are definitely better times to do it depending on the conditions. During the winter it is good time to forestry mow buckthorn because of the roots of native species are protected by frost and snow.  During springtime burning and other methods of control are undertaken to prepare the native species the environment they need to grow.

Buckthorn is a shrub-like tree and is not a native species. It is considered an invasive specie because it can disrupt natural ecosystems. It creates a dense understory layer in forest settings which blocks sunlight to native species that grow on the ground. Female Buckthorn produces a berry  and by dropping nearby or picked up by birds as food it spreads.

There are many benefits to removing buckthorn. Primary among them is allowing native species to grow as a result of getting sufficient sunlight as well as removing the possibly allelopathic tendencies. This allows for species to regrow, trees to have sufficient sunlight and air movement.  Removing and controlling  buckthorn also provides a vacuum for other native species to then be able to thrive.

Buckthorn can be removed and controlled several different ways:

Buckthorn can be controlled through prescribed  burns.

Buckthorn can also be removed by hand cutting, but not recommended by pulling due to soil disruption and further potential weed infestations. Wherever it is feasible to use a machine cost savings and many benefits occur. A forestry mower can masticate the buckthorn and help to fracture the basal root area thereby reducing sprouting.

The process of controlling Buckthorn can include using a special herbicide on the plant to ensure they don't grow back.