The overall price really depends on the job requirements. It’ll cost more if the buckthorn has grown to mature trees with a trunk larger than 4 inches in diameter. In that case, a chainsaw will be required for tree removal. It won’t cost as much if you don’t need the brush hauled away. In other words, the price will go down if you have a place on your property where the buckthorn can be piled up. Some buckthorn removal companies charge by the hour and rates range from $40 – $60 per hour per person.

There are two main types of buckthorn: common and glossy. Buckthorn is a tall shrub that can turn into a mid-sized tree up to 20 feet tall. They have brown bark with elongate silvery corky projections. The twigs have small and sharp thorns on the end. If you cut a branch it will show yellow sapwood and orange heartwood. Buckthorn leaves stay green until late fall. They have an extensive fiber-like root structure.

Buckthorn doesn’t have natural controls such as insects or disease that would reduce the intensity of it’s growth. It outcompetes native plants for moisture, light and nutrients. This creates a toxic environment for natural growth of the non-invasive species you actually want to thrive. It hinders the flourishing wildlife that should occur in forestry areas. Because of this, it endangers natural habitats such as prairies and wetlands. Buckthorn is bad.

Toward the end of summer, mature buckthorns produce clusters of black berries. If you have buckthorn that generates berries, then you are gonna want to go after those first. Buckthorn with berries are the ones responsible for spreading this invasive species. Why? The main reason is because the dark berries are attractive to animals who distribute the seeds, which causes new buckthorn seedlings to germinate.

Smaller sized buckthorn 1 inch in diameter can be dug out with a shovel. If the buckthorn is around 2 inches thick, it’s best to use a lopper or hand saw to clip the stem a few inches above ground level. You can use a pullerbear to completely remove buckthorn up to 3 inches in diameter. For buckthorn wider than 4 inches you should use a chainsaw. You can even hire a herd of goats to graze on buckthorn infested areas.

Once you’ve clipped the buckthorn down to the stems, you’ll need to immediately apply a water-soluble glyphosate product like RoundUp. Herbicide should be applied onto the stump within a few seconds so the chemicals can soak into the root system and prevent resprouting. These chemicals can be applied with a paint brush, a wick applicator such as a buckthorn blaster, a dauber, or a sprayer. Avoid contact with your skin.

Late summer or anytime in the fall tend to provide the best conditions for cutting buckthorn and treating them with chemicals. Try to avoid treating buckthorn in May or June as those months are when the tree is putting out leaves. This will minimize the herbicide’s effectiveness.

Yes, it’s ok to burn brush like buckthorn but it must be a controlled fire in accordance with city guidelines. If you have a firepit that is a legal distance away from your home, then that would be a good place to burn your brush pile. It probably goes without saying, but just to be on the safe side, you don’t want to just light your woods on fire! That’ll create more problems than it’ll solve.

You should ask for a ballpark estimate on the total cost for your buckthorn removal project. Be ready to share about the diameter width of the biggest buckthorn and density of buckthorn on your property. Ask the buckthorn removal service how long they’ve been doing it and what their process is like. Google their company name to make sure they have good reviews online. Click here to get a free buckthorn removal quote from His Workmanship.