Buckthorn is nonnative invasive shrub or small tree that has become a problem in Glenmore Woods woodlands and wetlands, where they crowd out native plants and trees. Buckthorn was originally imported from Europe as an ornamental ground cover, it has not been sold since the 1930s, when it was found to be a carrier of oat crown rust, an oat disease. On July 10, 2003, Illinois House Bill 0666 was passed that designates buckthorn as an exotic weed, and makes the sale or planting of buckthorn illegal. So why is buckthorn a threat to Glenmore Woods?Buckthorn is a problem to Glenmore Woods and all woodlands and wetlands because:
- Out-competes native plants for nutrients, light, and moisture which prevents natural forestation.
- Threatens the future of forests, wetlands, prairies, and other natural habitats
- Contributes to erosion by shading out other plants that grow on the forest floor
- Serves as host to other pests, such as crown rust fungus and soybean aphid
- Forms an impenetrable layer of vegetation
- Lacks "natural controls" like insects or disease that would curb its growth
On the May 23rd Homeowners meeting, the board approved the proposal from Bartlett Tree Experts to remove all buckthorn and other undesirable understory species in a six foot wide band long Ashford Drive. The yellow shaded area on the aerial graphic shows the areas to be cleared. This will give the Glenmore Woods residents a preview of what our common areas can look like without the buckthorn.
Bartlett Tree Experts will clear approximately 2,400 linear feet, and 14,400 square feet. They will leave stumps within one inch of grade and clean-up and dispose of resulting debris. They will also grind all buckthorn and other miscellaneous stumps one inch diameter and larger, in the newly cleared areas along Ashford Drive, six inches below grade.