Plymouth City Seeks Volunteers To Help With Buckthorn Busts

Minneapolis MN

08 October, 2020

7:16 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Plymouth: October 7, 2020 The City of Plymouth is seeking volunteers to help with upcoming Buckthorn Busts at two Plymouth parks – an annual series of coordinated efforts to remove the invasive plant from the city. Buckthorn Busts are scheduled as follows: 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays Oct. 24, Oct. 31 and Nov. 7 at Maple Creek Park, 2695 Weston Lane N. 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays Oct. 24, Oct. 31 and Nov. 7 at Hardenbergh Open Space, 1100 Urbandale Lane N. Residents are encouraged to dress for the weather and to bring a water bottle, work gloves, eye protection, sturdy shoes and a lopper or hand saw. Some equipment may be provided by the city. Due to COVID-19, social-distancing is required unless volunteers are from the same household. To participate, email [email protected] or call the city's volunteer coordinator at 763-509-5230. About Buckthorn Busts According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, buckthorn is designated as a restricted noxious weed in Minnesota. It's illegal to import, sell or transport common, European, glossy or alder buckthorn in this state. The invasive species chokes out native plants, reproduces rapidly and dominates the area. Weed wrenches and other tools can be borrowed from the city. Resources needed for busts include gardening gloves, shovels, shears, a hand-held saw and an herbicide. Buckthorn must be pulled by the root to be effectively eradicated from the area. Shovels may be needed to remove larger, well-rooted plants, while gardening sheers may be used to cut the smaller shoots. If the root remains, it will sprout again. If removal of the root is not feasible, an herbicide, such as Roundup Concentrate Plus with 18-20% glyphosate, can be applied to the freshly cut buckthorn stump to prevent it from growing back. If an herbicide is not applied to the stump, five to eight shoots will grow up around the previously cut area. Residents Encouraged to Organize Neighborhood Buckthorn Busts Residents are encouraged to organize their own neighborhood Buckthorn Busts. For help getting a group started, email [email protected] or call the city's volunteer coordinator at 763-509-5230. This press release was produced by the City of Plymouth. The views expressed here are the author's own.