To the editor:

Hats off to the Indian Point neighbors on the edge of Flandrau State Park who did a yeoman's job in cleaning out the buckthorn from their neighborhood. We need many more neighborhoods and perhaps even some service clubs to tackle this buckthorn invasion.

The western hillside from Eighth North to Second North has been stripped of buckthorn over the past few years. However, there are many other areas around the city that need buckthorn removal, including the hillside from Eighth North to 15th North and properties adjacent to the railroad tracks.

The city has started buckthorn removal from its many parks, but there still is more that needs attention. Also, the bike trail is loaded with buckthorn growth. Perhaps the biggest invasions of buckthorn are located in Flandrau State Park and the local golf course.

Why the need to eliminate buckthorn? Because buckthorn is a noxious weed and tends to crowd out all other plant growth around it. Birds eat the buckthorn seeds, but cannot digest them - so they poop them out all over the city, spreading the growth of buckthorn. These seeds also may remain dormant for several years so followup care is needed.

Buckthorn leaves are dark green and the tree/shrub tends to be the last to drop the leaves in fall. Thus, you readily can spot buckthorn growth now. Walk by some of these areas and you will see that buckthorn stands out now.

The city has tried treating the base of the buckthorn trees in late fall with good success. The Indian Point neighbors used a tree puller. When I cleared buckthorn from the diocesan and hospital properties, I cut the trees and treated the stumps with Tordon chemical. For the smaller growth, I used a tile spade to dig out trees under an inch in diameterWhatever works... If you cut off the trees and do not treat the stumps, they will sprout again next year as a bush.

Hopefully, more neighborhoods, service clubs and governmental agencies will pitch in to eradicate buckthorn from our community.

Don Brand

New Ulm