Buckthorn

Buckthorn is an invasive species that spreads quickly through its roots and berries, overtaking all other native plants. The City encourages residents to remove buckthorn from their own property to maintain and protect the ecological habitat.

Buckthorn Removal Process

It's important to be familiar with the removal process before attempting it, since the process should change depending on the size of the plant. Small seedlings can be removed by hand, while large shrubs must be cut with a handsaw as close to the ground as possible and then sprayed with a powerful herbicide containing glyphosate or triclopyr. Fall is the best season to remove buckthorn as the plants retain leaves longer than others, making them easier to identify.

The City offers a Buckthorn pickup program (closed until May) and removal tools for residents to use free of charge. For additional tips and removal methods, please read our Buckthorn Brochure Friends of the Parks - A Guide to Buckthorn Busting (PDF).

Buckthorn Pickup for Residents

The City's Public Works Department offers a pickup service for buckthorn branches and leaves on Fridays from May to October. The first pick up date will be May 23, 2025.

To utilize this service, submit the Buckthorn Pickup Request form by 12:00 p.m. on Thursday during the week of pickup. Form submissions after 12:00 p.m. on Thursday will result in pickup on Friday of the following week. When Thursday is a holiday, Buckthorn Pickup Request forms must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday for same-week pick-up on Friday. 

Residents are required to place the buckthorn (with roots removed) in neat, manageable piles along the street curb. Please note that only buckthorn will be accepted. 

To ensure all buckthorn pick up procedures are followed, please review the information in this document: Buckthorn Pick up Procedures (PDF) . 

Buckthorn Removal Tool (Weed Wrench)  

Arden Hills residents can reserve a buckthorn removal tool (weed wrench) that can be used for one week at a time, from May to October. City staff will confirm your reservation and availability upon receipt of the request. There is no fee for use of this tool.

Alternative Disposal Options for Buckthorn

Ramsey County’s Arden Hills / New Brighton compost site accepts buckthorn. They are located off of New Brighton Road at 3530 Hudson Avenue. Please remove any roots from the buckthorn plants that are to be picked up or brought to the yard waste site. The Ramsey County yard waste collection sites do not accept buckthorn plants with roots attached. Please place the roots in a yard waste container provided by your garbage hauler. Call your hauler for more information.

Resources

For more information, please contact Jeff Frid at 651-792-7852. For more information on what Buckthorn is and why it is a problem, please view the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.