The Buckthorn Removal Plan
What Is Buckthorn?
Buckthorn is an invasive woody shrub that grows up to 20 feet tall and can completely take over natural spaces if left to its own devices. Buckthorn has not been well managed for many years in Eden Prairie and has taken over countless parks.
How Did Buckthorn Get Here?
Common buckthorn was brought to North America by European settlers to be used as a source of dye as well as a medicinal plant to treat constipation (thanks, diuretic berries!). In the 1970s and 1980s, buckthorn was commonly planted as a hedge row in the twin cities due to its rapid, dense growth. It did not take long for buckthorn to escape yards and enter into forests since buckthorn produces an excessive amount of berries that are appealing to birds. The berries have a laxative effect, so the seeds quickly pass through the digestive systems of birds and are deposited in forests, savannas, and prairies. Buckthorn was officially listed as a Noxious Weed in Minnesota in 1999.(Source: MN DNR)

Why Should We Remove Buckthorn?
Reduces Wildlife Habitat
- As buckthorn takes over natural areas, there are fewer native plants left that local wildlife prefer to eat. That means deer and rabbits must search outside of their native habitat to find food.
- Buckthorn is not appealing or digestible to most of our native herbivores. In fact, buckthorn berries are known to have a laxative effect.
- Because buckthorn is not native to the U.S., bumblebees and other native pollinators do not recognize buckthorn as a source of food.
Displaces Native Plants
- Buckthorn is an aggressive plant that can out-compete native plants for nutrients, light, and moisture.
- Buckthorn is one of the first plants to have leaves in the spring, and one of the last to drop its leaves in the fall. Because of this, buckthorn has a long growing season and a competitive edge over native plants.
Increases Erosion
- Buckthorn shades out native understory plant species and groundcovers to the point where they can’t survive. These species include wild roses, dogwood, woodland violets, and native berries.
- When buckthorn takes over an area, the soil under buckthorn is left bare and becomes susceptible to erosion.
- Erosion can cause excess sediment to be deposited in our local waterways, including lakes and creeks, which decreases water quality and can harm aquatic life like fish and turtles.
How Do We Get Rid of Buckthorn?
Identify a Target Area with Buckthorn
- The first step in removing buckthorn from a park is to identify a target area that we want to restore.
- Friends of Eden Prairie Parks works closely with the city of Eden Prairie to determine priority areas for buckthorn removal.
- It is important to protect high quality areas and prevent buckthorn from taking over and outcompeting the native vegetation.

Remove Buckthorn
- Once a buckthorn target area is identified, FEPP hosts volunteer buckthorn removal events.
- The best time of year to remove buckthorn is mid-to-late fall, when most of the energy of the plant is focusing on the roots.
- At a removal event, volunteers cut down buckthorn using tools such as hand saws and pruners. After cutting, the buckthorn stump is treated with herbicide to prevent the plant from resprouting.
- Herbicide daubers are used in accordance with the Minnesota DNR and City of Eden Prairie Parks Department recommendations.
- Buckthorn roots have a lot of stored energy, so if left untreated, the plant can regrow more than 6 feet tall in less than a year.

Restore the Area
- Once buckthorn is removed, sunlight can reach the soil and allow other plants to grow. Unfortunately, mature buckthorn plants have been dropping seeds on the soil for many years, so the buckthorn seeds will germinate if they can get enough sunlight. Revegetation, or helping to establish native plants is a critical step to limit buckthorn from coming back.
- One way that FEPP revegetates after buckthorn removal is to sow native seeds. This is usually done in the winter (January-March). Native seeds are used to sitting out in the cold, and need cold temperatures to properly germinate. This method is a family-friendly way to help restore woodlands and prairies that have been infested with buckthorn.
- Another way that FEPP revegetates after buckthorn removal is to plant young plants (often called “plugs”). These plants are grown in a native plant nursery and purchased by the City. FEPP volunteers then attend planting events. This is usually done in the spring (April-early June).
Follow Up Treatment
- For the next few years after buckthorn removal, we need to go back and continue buckthorn removal and herbicide treatment in the target area as some buckthorn seeds will sprout. Follow up treatment will prevent the area from reverting back to all buckthorn.
- Follow up treatment by FEPP consists of pulling buckthorn seedlings, and cutting and treating any missed buckthorn.
- The City of Eden Prairie may determine that an herbicide application to control buckthorn sprouts is necessary, and city staff will apply additional herbicide. Some areas may be added to the city’s prescribed burning schedule and get burned approximately every five years to control buckthorn and other invasive species.
Sustain our success
- With enough volunteers and community assistance, we hope to remove buckthorn from all Eden Prairie parks and conservation areas. Once this is done, it is our job to sustain a healthy and balanced environment for native species to thrive for many years to come.
Why Can’t We Just Cut Down All the Buckthorn Now?

If we cut down buckthorn in an area larger than FEPP and the City can re-vegetate and do follow up treatment the same year, the buckthorn will come back even more aggressively. We must first make sure that we have the resources to be able to manage buckthorn in that area for the foreseeable future.
The image on the left shows what happens when buckthorn gets cut down, but no follow up treatment was conducted. As you can see, the buckthorn aggressively returned.