Getting rid of buckthorn permanently requires cutting the stem at the base and immediately treating the cut stump with an approved herbicide, because buckthorn regrows aggressively from the root if the stump is left untreated. Simply cutting it back, mowing it, or pulling small stems without treating the root system is why so many Minnesota homeowners find buckthorn back at full height within a year or two of “removing” it themselves.
Buckthorn (common and glossy varieties) is one of the most aggressive invasive species in Minnesota, listed as a Restricted Noxious Weed by the state. It crowds out native trees and shrubs, degrades wildlife habitat, and its dense thickets are a recurring problem we see across yards and wooded lots in Minnetonka, Wayzata, and the west metro.
Why Cutting Alone Doesn’t Work
Buckthorn stores energy in an extensive root system and responds to cutting the way most woody invasives do: by sending up multiple new stems from the stump, often thicker and more numerous than before. A property that’s mowed or cut back every year without root treatment typically ends up with a denser buckthorn thicket over time, not a smaller one.
The Cut-and-Treat Method We Use
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Identification | Confirm buckthorn versus native shrubs (buckthorn has serrated leaves, thorny branch tips, and dark berries in fall) |
| 2. Cutting | Cut the main stem close to ground level with a saw or brush cutter |
| 3. Stump treatment | Apply an approved systemic herbicide directly to the freshly cut stump within minutes, before the cut seals over |
| 4. Debris removal | Haul and dispose of cut buckthorn correctly since it can re-root from live cuttings left on the ground |
| 5. Follow-up | Monitor and treat any regrowth the following season; large infestations often need a second pass |
What About Pulling It Out by the Roots?
Hand-pulling with a puller tool works for young buckthorn seedlings, usually under an inch in diameter, where the whole root system can come out intact. It is not practical for mature buckthorn with an established, deep root mass, which is where cut-and-treat becomes the more reliable option.
When Buckthorn Removal Needs a Professional
A few situations move buckthorn removal from a weekend DIY project to a job for a licensed tree service:
- Buckthorn growing intertwined with desirable trees or shrubs, where cutting the wrong stem risks damaging what you want to keep
- Dense thickets on a slope or near a property line where safe cutting and hauling access matters
- Large stems (3+ inches diameter) that need proper felling technique rather than a brush cutter
- Any removal near power lines, structures, or a septic system
Frequently Asked Questions
Is buckthorn illegal to have on my property in Minnesota?
Buckthorn is classified as a Restricted Noxious Weed in Minnesota, which means it cannot be sold, transported, or intentionally planted or propagated, though the state does not mandate removal from private property. Many cities and watershed districts do encourage or incentivize removal because of its impact on native habitat.
What time of year is best to remove buckthorn?
Late fall through winter is a common window because buckthorn stays green after native plants have dropped their leaves, making it easy to identify, and herbicide treatment is effective on the exposed stump even in cooler weather.
Will buckthorn grow back after the stump is treated?
Properly timed stump treatment with an approved systemic herbicide has a high success rate at preventing regrowth, but dense infestations often need a follow-up check the next growing season to treat any missed stems or new seedlings from the soil’s existing seed bank.
Can I burn cut buckthorn instead of hauling it?
Some Minnesota cities and counties allow brush burning with a permit and seasonal restrictions; check local rules first, since burn bans are common and buckthorn debris left on-site can re-root if any part of it contacts soil.
Why Buckthorn Removal Is Worth Doing Right the First Time
Beyond the state’s noxious weed classification, buckthorn crowds out native understory plants that support Minnesota’s wildlife, and its dense growth pattern shades out tree seedlings that would otherwise regenerate a woodlot naturally. Properties we’ve cleared in Minnetonka, Wayzata, and the surrounding suburbs typically see native shrubs, wildflowers, and young trees return within a season or two once the buckthorn canopy and root competition are gone. It also opens up sightlines and usable yard space that homeowners often didn’t realize they’d lost to years of unchecked growth along a property line or wooded edge.
A partial removal, cutting the visible thicket but leaving smaller stems and seedlings untreated, tends to look successful for one growing season and then returns denser than before, because the plants left behind get full sun access for the first time. That’s the pattern our crews are called back to fix most often: a property that “removed” buckthorn two or three years ago and is now dealing with a fuller regrowth than the original stand.
If buckthorn has taken over part of your property, our team clears it correctly the first time using proper cut-and-treat technique. See our tree and brush removal service or view all Dynasty Tree Experts services.
Call Dynasty Tree Experts at (763) 301-9185 for a buckthorn clearing estimate, available 24 hours a day.