We have two wooded properties, one we call “the farm” and the other is a hard to manage ravine lot on the crest of conservation land.
In the last ten years we have been managing one invasive species after another. Many ash trees have been destroyed by emerald ash borer with buckthorn on the sidelines.
From reading and experience, cutting is an effective eradication method when buckthorn stumps are treated.
We decided on a non-chemical option to avoid stumps resprouting. I found coverage from The University of Wisconsin about Matt Hamilton and Buckthorn Baggies. The baggies, fastened to the stump with a zip-tie, work by blocking out light. This method takes a period of months and the baggies can be reused. Here is why Matt Hamilton developed the buckthorn baggie.
I am a person who does not like to use chemicals for environmental reasons and for personal health reasons. Just read a couple of the labels and you can see why I do not like to handle chemicals or have my family members handle chemicals. I could not believe there was not a product to kill this terrible buckthorn issue. So the Buckthorn Baggie was developed, tested over years, and patent pending now. I did this to help our native plants and hope you use and enjoy this new chemical free alternative.
--Matt Hamilton.
Editor’s tip: A friend suggested re-using tin cans for the same purpose, with diameter being an obvious limitation. As well as amount or tomato or pineapple juice you consume. If you have a tip on a tool that inhibits buckthorn stump resprouting, send it to the email address below.
If you have a tool that you would like Small Farm Canada to review, send your suggestion to: editor@SmallFarmCanada.ca
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