MARIENVILLE — The Allegheny National Forest will be treating glossy and common buckthorn in late April to mid-June (weather permitting) to reduce the density of the infestations on the Marienville Ranger District at the Laurel Mill Trail Area.

This is the second year of a planned five-year project.

The project is located adjacent to and within the Elk, Scout and Hemlock loops.

Treatments will be by manual cutting and herbicide application to selected plants. The ANF will also treat other non-native invasive plant species within or near buckthorn treatment areas if encountered.

Temporary closures will be in place on the days the project is implemented. Check for area closure signs at the site or call the Marienville Ranger District office at 927-5700 for updated closure information.

Glossy and common buckthorn are native to Eurasia and were imported, cultivated and sold to plant for wildlife habitat, hedges and windbreaks in the past. However, these shrubs proved to be highly invasive and fast growing, and have since invaded watersheds and forests. They now threaten forest health and native plant communities by out-competing native plants for nutrients, light and moisture. Buckthorn thickets can grow up to 25 feet tall and impede hunters, hikers and wildlife moving through the forest.