Riverwoods is one of the most ecologically distinctive communities in Lake County. Large wooded lots, mature tree canopies, wetland corridors, and preserved natural areas make it genuinely different from the typical Illinois suburb — and that's exactly why buckthorn is such a serious problem here.
Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) thrives in the shaded woodland understories that define Riverwoods. On a one-acre or larger wooded lot, a buckthorn infestation can expand from a few scattered plants to a dense, impassable thicket within a few years — crowding out the native wildflowers, shrubs, and tree seedlings that make these properties worth owning.
The good news: the Village of Riverwoods has established one of the most comprehensive ecological cost-share programs in the region. Residents can receive up to $4,000 in reimbursement for qualifying invasive shrub removal — including common and glossy buckthorn.
The Village of Riverwoods Ecological Cost-Share Programs
The Village administers several related programs:
Invasive Shrub Removal
The core program for buckthorn removal. Qualifying residents receive 50% cost reimbursement, up to $4,000, for the removal of common buckthorn, glossy buckthorn, burning bush (Euonymus alatus), Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), bush honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), and undesirable woody tree seedlings.
How it works:
- Pay a $75 ecological consultation fee to have a Village ecologist assess your property
- Submit a $100 application fee to enroll in the program
- Complete the approved removal work using a licensed contractor
- Submit receipts and documentation to the Village
- Receive reimbursement — typically within 4–8 weeks of verified completion
Important: Reimbursement eligibility requires a follow-up herbicide treatment in the year after initial removal. This typically means returning to the site in Year 2 to treat any stump resprouts and seedling emergence with an appropriate herbicide. This follow-up is not just a program requirement — it's ecologically necessary, since cut stumps and the seed bank will produce new growth without it. Plan for this when budgeting your project.
The Village ecologist determines eligibility and the maximum reimbursement amount based on the scope of work.
Native Seeding Program
After buckthorn removal, bare ground is vulnerable to reinvasion. The Village offers a separate cost-share for native seeding to help establish ground cover before buckthorn seedlings return. This program is a natural complement to the invasive shrub removal program and we strongly recommend coordinating both.
Prescribed Burn Program
For larger properties with savanna or prairie remnants, the Village offers cost-share assistance for prescribed burns. Prescribed burns are one of the most effective tools for managing woodland understories and keeping invasive species in check over the long term.
Canopy Tree Thinning
Some properties have overcrowded canopy trees that limit the amount of light reaching the understory, making restoration difficult even after buckthorn removal. The Village's canopy thinning program helps address this.
For full program details and current availability, visit the Village of Riverwoods website or contact us — we work with the Riverwoods programs regularly and can help you navigate the process.
What Buckthorn Removal Looks Like on a Riverwoods Property
Riverwoods lots present specific challenges compared to smaller suburban properties:
Scale. A typical Riverwoods lot is 1–4 acres, with a significant portion in mature woodland. A moderate to heavy infestation across even half an acre represents a substantial removal job — dozens to hundreds of mature stems, plus the seedling population that follows.
Stem diameter. On older wooded lots, buckthorn often reaches 4–6 inches in diameter or more. These plants require chainsaws and significant labor, and the stumps must be treated immediately after cutting to prevent vigorous resprouting.
Seed bank. A large buckthorn population produces an enormous number of seeds that can persist in the soil for up to six years. Effective management requires a multi-year follow-up plan, not just a one-time removal.
Access. Steep ravines, wet lowlands, and dense vegetation can make equipment access challenging. We assess these conditions as part of any property walkthrough.
What an Effective Program Looks Like
A professionally managed buckthorn removal in Riverwoods typically follows this arc:
Year 1: Initial removal of all mature and established buckthorn. Cut-stump herbicide treatment applied immediately to every stump. Debris managed appropriately (chipped on-site, piled, or hauled).
Year 2: Monitoring for stump regrowth and first-year seedling emergence. Targeted treatment of any resprouts (basal bark herbicide or re-cutting and treating). Seedling populations treated with foliar herbicide while plants are small. Note: this Year 2 follow-up herbicide application is required by the Village to remain eligible for reimbursement — and it's the ecologically correct approach regardless.
Years 3–5: Annual monitoring and spot treatment as needed. Seedling populations diminish as the seed bank depletes. Native planting (if included in the program) begins to establish and compete with remaining seedlings.
The Riverwoods cost-share program covers the initial removal. The required Year 2 follow-up is more affordable than the initial work — and the Village's native seeding and prescribed burn programs can help accelerate long-term recovery.
Why Act Now
Riverwoods' grant funding is allocated on an annual basis and is not guaranteed to increase. The sooner you begin the process — starting with the ecological consultation — the sooner you can lock in your reimbursement eligibility and get on the schedule for removal in the most effective season (late fall through early winter).
Beyond the grant, the practical case for early action is clear: a manageable infestation today becomes a much more expensive problem in three to five years. Every year of delay means more mature plants, more seeds in the soil, and more follow-up work required.
Get Started with a Free Property Assessment
We offer free property assessments for Riverwoods residents. We'll walk your land, give you an honest picture of the extent of your infestation, and help you understand what the Riverwoods program covers and what a multi-year management plan would look like.
Contact us to schedule your walkthrough. We're based in Lake County, we know Riverwoods' landscape well, and we're familiar with the Village's ecological programs.