When people think of invasive species in the Northland, one of the first that usually comes to mind is buckthorn.
For decades, buckthorn remediation efforts have been underway, removing smaller plants by extracting it from the ground - root and all - and cutting larger growths at the base and treating with pesticide. Now, researchers are exploring second steps to the removal process; replanting native species.
"Buckthorn does all sorts of things that make it really successful at what it does," says Mike Schuster, Researcher with the University of Minnesota in the Department of Forest Resources and Assistant Professor at Hamline University. The tenacious plant was brought over from Europe over a century ago to be utilized as hedges, and it has spread widely and nearly out of control since. "It regrows so quickly."
Recent research works with the theory that replacing areas where buckthorn is removed with native species will slow or stop the regeneration of the invasive. Initially, research shows that Wild Rye Grass could establish quick regrowth that would then give way to wildflowers that would offer longtime stabilization for the area.
For more information about buckthorn can be found through the U of M Extension, the Minnesota DNR, and on the Cover It Up website.
You can hear Green Visions at 8:20am every Wednesday on Northland Morning.
