Skaneateles Conservation Area/Invasive species/Rhamnus cathartica

Rhamnus cathartica (common buckthorn)
Common buckthorn or European buckthorn () is native to much of Europe, western Asia and northern Africa.

It’s a small tree or large shrub that was introduced to North America by early settlers for medicinal purposes and later for use as an ornamental hedge plant and had escaped cultivation as early as 1800.

Ecological impact
Buckthorns displace native plants and alter soil nutrients. Buckthorn prefers forest edges, meadows, and disturbed areas. It fixes nitrogen and can create dense thickets shading out native vegetation.

Description
Buckthorn forms small trees up to 25 feet tall. Buckthorns are usually dioecious and bloom in the spring. These flowers ripen into black fruit from August to September. These fruits can persist into winter. Fruits are eaten by birds, mice, and deer. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for 2-6 years. Young buckthorn can mature in 5-6 years.