What does it look like?
Dense shrub to 3m plus high. Dark glossy green leaves 2-8cm long with serrated edges (a similar native, Sea Box, has smooth leaf edges). Smooth bark. Small yellow green flowers late Autumn to Spring produce small red berries in summer that ripen to black.(1) No thorns.
Why is it a problem?
Buckthorn is a useful plant in Europe – a quick growing hedge. Here, it invades native habitat and destroys plant and animal communities. In Nelson, Buckthorn has taken over and threatens the Parks. Dense Buckthorn also poses a fire risk and harbours rabbits.
How does it spread?
The red/black berries are very attractive to birds. The seeds survive in their guts and spread widely.
How to get rid of it?
Luckily, it is pretty easy to deal with. The seeds have a short life. Cut the plant off as close to the ground as you can (below any shoots) and dab the cut with neat Glyphosphate.
Garry Kerr from the South West Woody Weeds Action Team has put together a video which explains why these sort of weeds are such a problem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXMavH2hdTI
REFERENCE
(1) Weeds of the South East. Richardson FJ, Richardson RG, and Shepard RCH, Second Edition 2011. Published by RG and FJ Richardson. ISBN9780980388534
Photos by J Tuck, Words by J Tuck & M Styles
Nelson Coastcare 