Buckthorn removal services

 Rhamnus cathartica, the European buckthorn, common buckthorn, purging buckthorn, or just buckthorn, is a species of small tree in the flowering plant family Rhamnaceae. It is native to Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia, from the central British Isles south to Morocco, and east to Kyrgyzstan. It was introduced to North America as an ornamental shrub in the early 19th century or perhaps before, and is now naturalized in the northern half of the continent, and is classified as an invasive plant in several US states and in Ontario, Canada. 

• Common buckthorn is found in oak forests, savannas, prairies and riparian woods.
• It completely eliminates plant diversity in the understory over time.
• It thrives on well-drained soils.
• Plants leaf out early and hold their leaves late into the fall, creating dense shade.
• Seeds have a laxative effect on birds, aiding in seed dispersal.
• Common buckthorn is the overwinter host for the soybean aphid.
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Property assessment is done by appointment. Please Email or call to get your property scheduled to be assessed for Buckthorn management.

Stage I (Average time: 1-4 years depending on number of acres)

Removal of mature berry producing female trees

Removal of male trees (The leaves of buckthorn are alleopathic and kills off all native vegetation)

Treatment of stumps with approved effective herbicide

Treatment of seedlings & saplings as we work (This creates a huge reduction in new growth and alleopathic effects to the forest floor, allowing natives to begin to regenerate)

Burn all removed material on site

Stage II (Average time: 1-4 years depending on number of acres)

Herbicide control on saplings and seedlings

Monitor new seedling growth and manage as necessary

Stage III (Average time: 1-3 years depending on number of acres)

Monitor and manage regrowth

Spread seed mix in areas that are well managed to reduce future outbreaks

Bring the property to a point where it can be managed by the land owners

This process takes multiple years to accomplish. Set aside a budget so you can have work done throughout each year. Continuous progress will show amazing results in just one year. By 4-8 years in you will have a completely transformed property. Seedling management can take up to 10 years depending on the property.

There are many companies that offer services to help with buckthorn, however, if the plant roots are not removed or treated and killed with herbicide, it simply grows right back and usually multiplies the number of stems by 4-5 times. Get it done right the first time and you'll get your land back. Goats do not kill buckthorn. Even if they girdle the tree it simply sprouts from the root crown again. Even with years of grazing, it is not highly effective. Save your money. Get it done properly by an expert. 

We have years of experience in cleaning up woodlands that are heavily infested with problematic plant species. Hiring a crew that has the scientific knowledge and professional training to take care of the job is important so you're not destroying the environment. We use the right equipment for the project to eliminate killing off beneficial species in your woodland. All crew members are trained in burning safety and we carry all the necessary equipment to control burning on each property.

Buckthorn removal services 

1-5 Acres $65 per hour

6-10 Acres $60 per hour

11-25 Acres $55 per hour

26-100 Acres $50 per hour

101+ Acres $48 per hour

We cover all of Wisconsin & Minnesota,for buckthorn management. Travel time to and from project is billed at the hourly rate. Hourly rate is per worker per hour.

Example:  2 workers working 4 hours is billed 8 hours @ rate per hour 

                 2 workers traveling to and from jobsite for 2 hours is billed 4 hours @ rate per hour

Long distance projects are based on a per diem fee for away time, hotel and food expenses. 

Per diem fee is $225.00 plus labor fees for work being done on site.

We include 1/2 hour daily for paid lunch break if we take a lunch. We typically bring snacks and just push through depending on the location.

Lupine Gardens LLC reserves the right to adjust billing if the landowner does not meet the required work acreage for discounted price.

For example: If you are contracted at 50 acres at $50 per hour but only allow us to do 25 acres, all labor will be backbilled at the rate of an extra $5 an hour to meet the $55 rate for that size acreage.

Lupine Gardens LLC is not responsible for excess labor if the landowner is having multiple operations happening on the property (logging, land clearing, etc.) that may impede the rate in which we can accomplish our work. This includes making spraying difficult with excess brush and downfall. The landowner must understand that this is an effect of their decision making and not the responsibility of Lupine Gardens LLC to work at an increased speed and decrease the quality of work because of landowner decisions impeding the task at hand.

By agreeing to have us work on your property, you are agreeing to these terms.