Common and Glossy Buckthorn

Common and glossy buckthorn originated in Eurasia and were introduced to North America in the mid-1880s as ornamentals. Both species grow to become tall shrubs or small trees reaching 20-25 feet in height and 10 inches in diameter. Growth at the plant's base may have only a few to many stems, and typically grow into a large shrub with spreading, loosely-branched crowns. It grows mostly in moist woodlands and disturbed areas throughout the Northeast and Midwest.

Seeds are often introduced to a new growing site by birds. Once established, young buckthorns spread very aggressively. The shade produced by mature buckthorns makes it difficult for native plants, shrubs ands tree seedlings to compete and thrive.

Interim Invasive Plant Species Lists Compiled by USDA NRCS New York

Herbaceous and Woody Species

September 18, 2009 - USDA NRCS New York has compiled an interim list of invasive species of herbaceous and woody plants until an official list is released.

Information Resources

The links below will help you learn more about:

• distribution of buckthorns in the United States

• recognizing buckthorn on your property

• growth habits of buckthorn

• eradication and control of buckthorns

• other nuisance and invasive plant species

Biological Invasions: Economic and Environmental Costs of Alien Plant, Animal, and Microbes Species
This Cornell University News article discusses a book edited and co-authored by Cornell University ecologist David Pimentel which serves as a non-fictional account of introduced species' destructive impact.

Common Buckthorn and Glossy Buckthorn - Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources Conservation,
DCNR Invasive Exotic Plants Tutorial for Natural Lands Managers

Early Detection Invasive Plants By Region - Invasive Plant Council of New York State (IPC)
IPC has developed an early detection list for each of eight PRISM regions in New York State.

Glossy Buckthorn - USDA NRCS Plants Database

Invasive.org - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health
Under development for a number of years, the overall objective of Invasive.org is to provide an accessible and easily used archive of high quality images related to invasive and exotic species, with particular emphasis on educational applications.

Forest Health Protection, Invasive Plants - United States Forest Service
This Web site provides a great amount of information concerning invasive plant species that exist in the Northeastern United States.

Giant Hogweed poster - Animal and Plant Heath Inspection Service (APHIS)
APHIS has made available a color poster that you can download and print for display in your office, school or around your community to inform the public about this dangerous plant.

Invasive Plant Council of New York State (IPCNYS)
The purpose of the Invasive Plant Council of New York State is to provide an information clearinghouse for invasive plant identification, research and management.

Invasive Species - USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC) - USDA Natural Agricultural Library publications relate to invasive species

Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Conservation - Facts about buckthorns

Not All Alien Invaders are from Outer Space

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has created an interactive Web page that teaches you about 16 uninvited species that are destroying our natural resources and threatening U.S. ecosystems.

Please visit our Nuisance and Invasive Animal Species pages to learn about animals that directly impact New York State.

If you encounter problems with this Web page, please contact the Webmaster at 315-477-6524.

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