One of the most common questions we hear from property owners is: when should I have my buckthorn removed? The honest answer is that buckthorn can be removed at any time of year, but certain seasons offer distinct advantages, particularly when it comes to treatment effectiveness and access to the site.
Late Fall and Winter: The Best Window for Removal
For most properties, late fall through winter (roughly November through March in Illinois) is the optimal time for buckthorn removal. Here's why:
Buckthorn is easy to identify. One of buckthorn's most recognizable traits is that it holds its leaves long after native trees have dropped theirs. In October and November, it stands out clearly as the green shrub in an otherwise dormant woodland. This makes finding and targeting every stem much easier than in summer, when everything is leafed out.
Ground conditions support heavy equipment. Frozen or firm ground reduces soil compaction and rutting if we're using equipment on your property. This matters especially for larger jobs.
Cut-stump treatment is highly effective in fall. Herbicide applied to freshly cut stumps in late fall is taken up efficiently as the plant is moving carbohydrates down to its root system. Fall treatments often outperform spring or summer treatments in preventing resprouting.
No disruption to nesting birds. Many migratory and resident birds nest in shrubs and thickets from April through August. Working in winter avoids disturbing active nests.
Spring and Summer: Still Workable, with Tradeoffs
Spring removal (before full leaf-out) can work well, particularly for follow-up treatments targeting seedlings and saplings that emerged after a previous removal season. The window between snowmelt and full canopy closure in late spring is a good time to spot and treat new buckthorn growth.
Summer removal is the most physically demanding due to heat and dense vegetation, and identification can be trickier. However, foliar herbicide treatments (spraying the leaves of small buckthorn plants) are most effective in summer when plants are actively growing.
Our Recommendation
If you're planning a significant removal project, late October through February is typically the most cost-effective window. For maintenance treatments and follow-up work, spring and fall both offer good conditions.
The most important thing is not to wait another full season. If you're considering removal, reach out to us now so we can plan your project for the best available timing this year.