Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartoca)

Introduced to North America from Eurasia for use as an ornamental plants, as well as for its perceived habitat value.

Read the MISIN fact sheet

Common buckthorn Best Control Practices

Glossy Buckthorn
​(Frangula alnus)

Introduced to North America from Eurasia for use as an ornamental plants, as well as for its perceived habitat value.

Read the MISIN fact sheet

Glossy buckthorn Best Control Practices

Why are these plants a problem?
Both buckthorn species rival autumn olive in terms of their aggressive growth habits in natural areas. Glossy buckthorn has the capacity to replace entire wetland plant communities, whereas common buckthorn grows aggressively in areas with drier soils. Common buckthorn serves as the primary overwintering host of the soybean aphid, a serious agricultural pest. Neither plant supports the diversity of birds, butterflies, and other wild creatures once sustained by the plants they replace. In Grand Traverse County, some natural areas such as Kids Creek have been heavily impacted, whereas in other natural areas populations are small or not yet present.

What do common and glossy buckthorn look like?
Both species are small trees (or large shrubs) reaching 15-25 ft in height. Compare leaf samples with the images to the left and above-right.  Visit the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network to learn more about specific ID characteristics of each species (Misin.msu.edu/).
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How do I manage invasive buckthorns?
Explore landscape alternatives like the spicebush (pictured below and to the right in bloom), and enjoy the spicebush butterflies and cecropia moths you’ll attract. Young buckthorn shrubs may often be handpulled without trouble, especially in our sandy soils. For larger populations, explore management recommendations at the Michigan DNR’s invasive species website, Michigan.gov/invasivespecies.

MISIN Species Identification Training

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