Why Buckthorn Is Michigan's #1 Invasive Threat
Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) are among the most aggressive invasive shrubs in Michigan. Originally introduced from Europe as ornamental plants and for wildlife habitat, they've become ecological nightmares.
Here's why Buckthorn is so destructive:
- • Grows 10 to 25 feet tall - forms dense thickets that completely shade out native plants
- • Heavy berry crops every year - birds eat the fruit and spread the seed throughout the area
- • Leafs out earlier and holds leaves longer - gives it a 6-8 week advantage over native species
- • Alters soil chemistry - increases soil nitrogen levels, making it harder for native plants to compete
- • Crowds out native understory - eliminates wildflowers, native shrubs, and tree seedlings
- • Creates monocultures - dense Buckthorn stands support almost no wildlife diversity
- • Thorny branches - makes manual removal painful and dangerous
Once Buckthorn establishes, it spreads exponentially.
A single Buckthorn plant can produce millions of seeds over its lifetime. Without professional removal, infestations double in size every few years.
Why Autumn Olive Is Equally Problematic
Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) was intentionally planted across Michigan throughout the mid-20th century for erosion control, wildlife habitat, and windbreaks. It's now recognized as one of the state's worst invasive species.
Here's why Autumn Olive is so destructive:
- • Grows 10 to 20 feet tall and wide - creates massive, spreading shrubs that dominate landscapes
- • Produces up to 200,000 seeds per plant - birds love the berries and spread seeds everywhere
- • Fixes nitrogen in soil - changes soil chemistry in ways that favor other invasives over natives
- • Thrives in poor soils - actually does better in degraded areas where natives struggle
- • Dense silvery foliage - blocks sunlight and eliminates native plant diversity
- • Extremely fast-growing - can grow 3+ feet per year in optimal conditions
- • Aggressive root sprouting - even when cut, sends up multiple new shoots
The silvery leaves make Autumn Olive easy to spot from a distance.
Look for shrubs with distinctive silvery-green leaves, especially along roadsides, field edges, and in old pastures. If you see them, you likely have a growing infestation.
How to Identify Buckthorn vs. Autumn Olive
Knowing which invasive you're dealing with helps determine the best removal approach:
Buckthorn Identification
- • Dark green, glossy leaves - oval shaped with fine-toothed edges
- • Black berries in fall - clustered along stems
- • Thorny branch tips - sharp spines at ends of twigs
- • Orange inner bark - scratch the bark to reveal orange underneath
- • Sub-opposite leaves - leaves nearly opposite on stem
Autumn Olive Identification
- • Silvery leaves - distinctive silver-green color, silver dots underneath
- • Red speckled berries - abundant in fall, covered in silver scales
- • Fragrant flowers - sweet-smelling cream/yellow flowers in spring
- • Multi-stemmed growth - spreads wide from base
- • Alternate leaves - leaves alternate along stems
Both species are often found together in Michigan.
It's common to find Buckthorn and Autumn Olive growing in the same areas. Our forestry mulching equipment handles both species equally well, so identification mainly helps with understanding the scale of your infestation.
Best Methods to Remove Buckthorn & Autumn Olive (Ranked)
Not all removal methods are equally effective. Here's a ranked comparison:
METHOD #1: Forestry Mulching (Best All-Around Solution)
Forestry mulching removes the entire shrub - branches, stems, and trunk - while grinding the root crown down to soil level. This prevents regrowth from the existing plant and creates a mulch layer that suppresses new seedlings.
- ✅ Fastest method - most residential jobs finish in a day or two
- ✅ Handles dense thickets - professional equipment cuts through mature Buckthorn and Autumn Olive easily
- ✅ Works on slopes and uneven terrain - hillsides are cleared with the tracked mulcher after a walk-through
- ✅ No debris hauling required - everything is mulched in place
- ✅ Mulch layer suppresses regrowth - creates natural weed barrier
- ✅ Minimal soil disturbance - preserves topsoil structure
Gibson Environmental Services specializes in invasive species removal.
We use a FECON mulching head built for woody invasive species like Buckthorn and Autumn Olive. Our equipment grinds these invasives at the root level, dramatically reducing regrowth. For more on our forestry mulching services, see our complete guide.
METHOD #2: Cut and Treat
How It Works:
- • Cut stems close to ground level
- • Immediately apply herbicide to cut stumps
- • Dispose of cut material
Limitations:
- ❌ Very labor-intensive for large areas
- ❌ Requires immediate herbicide treatment
- ❌ Generates brush piles needing disposal
- ❌ Multiple follow-up treatments needed
METHOD #3: Herbicide Only
How It Works:
- • Foliar spray or basal bark treatment
- • Kills plants over weeks/months
- • Dead material remains standing
Limitations:
- ❌ Slow - takes months to see results
- ❌ Dead shrubs still need removal
- ❌ Risk to nearby desirable plants
- ❌ Multiple applications often needed
METHOD #4: Manual Pulling or Digging
Reality Check:
- ❌ Only practical for seedlings under 2 feet tall
- ❌ Mature Buckthorn and Autumn Olive have extensive root systems
- ❌ Disturbs soil, promoting more seed germination
- ❌ Completely impractical for any property over 1/4 acre
Manual removal is not a viable solution for established infestations.
If you have mature Buckthorn or Autumn Olive - especially across multiple areas of your property - professional mechanical removal is the only practical approach.
How Much Does Buckthorn & Autumn Olive Removal Cost?
Removal costs vary based on density, terrain, and property size. Here is what moves the number, and why we price every job individually:
Every job is priced on its own
Two five-acre parcels can be two very different jobs, so we do not publish a per-acre rate. You get one written project price from photos or a walk-through, with growth density, terrain, access and travel built in. If the scope changes or site conditions differ materially from what was shown or disclosed, any revised price is agreed in writing before work continues. Our pricing guide explains what moves the number.
Why density matters: Buckthorn and Autumn Olive often grow in dense, tangled masses. The thicker the growth, the slower the equipment travels - which affects project time and cost.
Want Specific Pricing?
See our Forestry Mulching Pricing Guide for detailed information, or request a quote for your specific property.
How Long Does Removal Take?
Timeline depends on acreage, density, and terrain. Here are realistic expectations for forestry mulching:
Small Property (Under 0.5 Acre)
2-4 hours - Most backyard infestations are cleared in a single morning or afternoon.
Half to One Acre
1 day - Standard projects are completed in one full day.
2-5 Acres
1-3 days - Larger properties may require multiple days depending on density.
Large Properties (5+ Acres)
Quote-based - We'll assess the property and provide a detailed timeline.
Most residential invasive removal projects are completed in 1 day. We'll provide a timeline estimate during your initial assessment.
Will Buckthorn & Autumn Olive Grow Back?
Forestry mulching dramatically reduces regrowth by grinding plants at the root crown level. However, these invasives are persistent - here's what to expect:
- • Mature plants are knocked back hard - grinding takes them down to the root crown, and a follow-up pass handles the stumps that resprout
- • Seeds remain in the soil - both Buckthorn and Autumn Olive have extensive seed banks that can persist for years
- • New seedlings will emerge - expect to see some new sprouts in subsequent years
- • Seedling control is manageable - small seedlings are easy to pull or spot-treat, unlike mature shrubs
- • Mulch layer helps - the ground cover from mulching suppresses many seedlings
Long-Term Management
We recommend annual inspections for the first 2-3 years after initial removal. Pulling or treating seedlings each spring prevents re-establishment. Some clients schedule annual maintenance visits with us to stay ahead of regrowth.
To understand how long mulching results last, see our grass regrowth guide.
Best Time of Year to Remove Buckthorn & Autumn Olive
Late fall through early spring is ideal for invasive removal in Michigan:
- • Easier identification - Buckthorn holds its leaves late into fall when natives are bare
- • Ground is firm - frozen or dry ground provides better traction for equipment
- • Less impact on wildlife - birds aren't nesting, reducing disturbance
- • Immediate visibility - you'll see the full extent of the infestation without leaf cover hiding it
- • No spreading seeds - removing before berry production prevents further spread
Gibson Environmental Services removes invasives year-round, weather permitting.
While late fall through early spring is ideal, we can remove Buckthorn and Autumn Olive any time ground conditions allow. We'll assess your property and recommend the best timing for your situation.
Why Metro Detroit Property Owners Choose Gibson Environmental Services
Gibson Environmental Services has built a reputation as Metro Detroit's trusted invasive species removal company. Here's what sets us apart:
Specialized Expertise
- ✅ Specialize in invasive species removal
- ✅ High-flow tracked mulching equipment, plus a brush hog for open ground
- ✅ Understand Michigan's invasive growth patterns
Transparent Pricing
- ✅ Project-based pricing (not hourly)
- ✅ Know the cost before work begins
- ✅ No surprises or hidden fees
Professional Standards
- ✅ Safe around property lines and structures
- ✅ Fully insured and licensed
- ✅ Respectful of your landscaping
Fast & Reliable
- ✅ Fast scheduling and communication
- ✅ Customer references available
- ✅ Most jobs completed in 1 day
Ready to Eliminate Buckthorn & Autumn Olive?
If invasive Buckthorn and Autumn Olive are taking over your property, you don't have to fight them alone. Gibson Environmental Services can remove years of invasive growth in just a few hours.
Whether you're dealing with dense thickets, overgrown fence lines, or invasives spreading into your woods, we have the equipment and expertise to reclaim your property efficiently and affordably. Request a quote for a detailed assessment of your property.