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Buckthorn / Invasive Plants
Buckthorn
This invasive species is commonly found in many of the wooded areas in Chanhassen. This City encourages residents to be educated about this woody plant and eradicate it where possible. The Minnesota DNR has an excellent publication about the plant and how to remove it.
The City has a weed wrench available for homeowners. The weed wrench is a manual tool that can be used for buckthorn removal.
The wrench is available for a three-day rental. A $150 deposit is required and will be returned when the wrench is checked back in. Call City Hall at 952-227-1100 to reserve the tool.
This invasive species is commonly found in many of the wooded areas in Chanhassen. This City encourages residents to be educated about this woody plant and eradicate it where possible. The Minnesota DNR has an excellent publication about the plant and how to remove it.
Weed Wrench
The City has a weed wrench available for homeowners. The weed wrench is a manual tool that can be used for buckthorn removal.
The wrench is available for a three-day rental. A $150 deposit is required and will be returned when the wrench is checked back in. Call City Hall at 952-227-1100 to reserve the tool.
Information and Fact Sheets
- Managing Invasive Buckthorn Symposium Program
- Symposium Presentation: Research Overview and Updates
- Symposium Presentation: Tools of the Trade
- Symposium Presentation: Community Perspective
- Recommended Replacement Plant List
- Native Plant Suppliers
- Restoration Contractors List
- Disposal Options for Buckthorn
- How to Build a PVC Wick Applicator
- Deciduous Forest Fact Sheet - Maple Basswood
- Deciduous Forest Fact Sheet - Mesic Oak
- Deciduous Forest Fact Sheet - Dry Oak
Non-native plants that spread easily and displace native species are considered invasive and a threat to our city's public and private natural areas. The city recommends that homeowners remove any invasive plants found on their property. Once removed, these plants should be bagged and taken to a facility or left on site. Disposal options include dropping them off at an area compost facility or having your hauler collect them. Many of these species reproduce easily by seeds or roots, so thorough eradication and removal of the plants is necessary. Be aware that invasive species and native plants can have similar appearances. Please contact the city or a professional for proper identification before beginning any removals. The city does allow the removal of invasive species within Conservation or Tree Preservation Easements. Contact the Environmental Resources Specialist prior to any removal work.
Some of the more common invasive plants in Chanhassen, besides buckthorn, are garlic mustard, exotic honeysuckle, thistles, and Siberian elm. Other invasive plants that are present, but in limited areas include wild parsnip, Japanese knotweed, and leafy spurge.
Garlic Mustard
Garlic mustard is an herbaceous biennial (lives for 2 years) that reproduces rapidly in wooded areas. Eliminating or reducing populations of this plant can be done by removing it before it goes to seed during its second year of growth. Hand pulling is easily done and safer than herbicide use. It's easy to find this plant in early spring since it greens up before most other native plants.
Garlic mustard is an herbaceous biennial (lives for 2 years) that reproduces rapidly in wooded areas. Eliminating or reducing populations of this plant can be done by removing it before it goes to seed during its second year of growth. Hand pulling is easily done and safer than herbicide use. It's easy to find this plant in early spring since it greens up before most other native plants.
Do your yard a favor by clearing out any garlic mustard plants you find. For more information, visit the DNR's webpage on garlic mustard.
Japanese Knotweed
Japanese knotweed is a fairly new invasive species, at least here in Chanhassen. This large herbaceous plant can quickly take over a natural area and become impenetrable mass. This plant is best eradicated by cutting the plants at the base and spraying the cut roots with an herbicide. For more information, visit the DNR's webpage on Japanese knotweed.
Complete List of Invasive Plants and Insects
Japanese knotweed is a fairly new invasive species, at least here in Chanhassen. This large herbaceous plant can quickly take over a natural area and become impenetrable mass. This plant is best eradicated by cutting the plants at the base and spraying the cut roots with an herbicide. For more information, visit the DNR's webpage on Japanese knotweed.
Complete List of Invasive Plants and Insects