Ep. 181 : Buckthorn Phenology and Possible Management Strategies with Mike J. Schuster

<p>I have seen and been part of a lot of Buckthorn (<em>Rhamnus cathartica</em>) removal efforts, and while initially hopeful, often there is a inevitable return of the non-native to once again take over the forest understory in short time. What if there were strategies, without herbicides or biocontrols to reduce or prevent the likeliness of Buckthorn’s recolonization?</p> <p>Mike J. Schuster from the Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota recently co-authored a paper looking into native phenological competitors to Buckthorn which can be planted after Buckthorn removal to help keep <em>R. cathartica</em> out. Luckily for me, one of the suggestions was a (fairly simple) practice I have been learning about and working on for the past 5 years! Plant more Elderberry! <em>Sambucus canadensis</em> and perhaps even more so <em>S. racemosa</em> can help block out the light essential to early Buckthorn growth. By planting these two shrubs , who have similar phenological timelines to the Buckthorn, we can help restore native biodiversity in forests experiencing Buckthorn invasions.</p> <p>I will try to remember to create a follow up episode in the Spring to detail how to propagate Elderberry to help anyone who wants to try this experiment at home.</p> <p><strong>To learn more :</strong></p> <p><a href="https://coveritup.umn.edu/" target="_blank">Cover it up! Citizen science project</a></p>