David,

I got curious so I did a search and came across this. The article mentions a few species and gives some ID tips. I hope it helps.

Some other people may have had first hand experience and give you information.

-- Lori

Here is a link that might be useful: From a Minnesota Native Plant Society Newsletter

Any chance you could post a picture? Once you know what buckthorn looks like it is hard to mistake another plant for it. The leaves have a certain dark blue-green color that is pretty distinct, plus they tend to be subopposite on the stem - they look opposite but off by a little bit. The branches often end in a short spine from which it gets its name. If you hold off until late fall or early winter you can spot buckthorn because it will be one of the few shrubs or trees still holding its leaves and they do not change color.

I spent a few years battling buckthorn, and I can spot it even while driving past one. I know what the seedlings look like, too, and even what the very young "newly sprouted seed" stage looks like. LOL. I hate them and know first hand how fast they spread.

I have my doubts that you have a buckthorn for one simple fact...you only have ONE. :) Since these spread so fast, where's there's one, there's many. That has been my experience, at least.

Can you post a pic?

Thanks for the responses. I did find the same link but could not view the page for some reason--I think I have to download some attachment or program.

I have a picture to upload, but I don't see a browse button or anything to let me post it. Gee, I never felt computer illiterate before, but, I'm starting to now!

Please let me know how to attach it or upload it and attach a link. Then maybe we can get an ID on this guy.

I gave up trying to upload a pic here, but I'm still open to suggestions if you have them.

Here is a link to the photo:

http://nativeplantphotoshare.shutterfly.com/

Hope this works,

David

That is definitely a buckthorn but it isn't Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica). Most likely Glossy Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), which is about as invasive and not something you want to keep around.

Carolina Buckthorn (Rhamnus caroliniana) is similar but usually has narrower leaves. The stalk of the fruit would be very shortly pubescent and the leaves minutely serrated in this species, whereas Glossy Buckthorn has entire leaves (no serrations) and smooth fruit stalks.

Here is a link that might be useful: Photo Link

Thank you.

I thought it was the glossy buckthorn too--based on a pic from the web, but when I went to take it out, there was no telltale orange layer in the bark, so I stopped. I wanted to verify it before I take out something that should stay.

I used to think I could identify so many trees, shrubs, and forbs...but, after buying 2 acres of land, I'm encountering things I've never seen before. Maybe we were lucky where I grew up; I'd never encountered buckthorn before.

Thanks for the link...I clicked on it and found it is the one *I* uploaded yesterday! :)

Thanks for verifying the ID for me,

David

Definitely Glossy Buckthorn (now renamed to Frangula alnus). Extremely vigorous and more invasive than Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).

I have so much of this stuff on my lot, it is difficult to eradicate without using herbicides, and it is rampantly invading the wild areas in the neighborhood, particularly wetlands.

Here's a pic of some growing on my lot. I've eradicated most of the fruit-bearing plants, but still have zillions of seedlings and small plants growing.
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Thank you all for verifying it for me. It is coming OUT! Glad there is only one--so far. I've lived here for about a year and a half and I think it did go to seed last year.

I've been through the 2 acres many times and have only spotted ONE, but I'm still being kept busy with multiflora rose--Suprisingly, I feel that I'm winning the battle. Hopefully, in a year or two, it will be completely eradicated. There are other invasives too, namely garlic mustard, Dame's rocket, Japanese knotweed, and some aromatic weed that I've yet to identify.

But, I'm up for the challenge. Good luck getting rid of yours, terrene.

Thanks,

David