MARIENVILLE — The Allegheny National Forest will be treating glossy and common buckthorn in the Laurel Mill Trail Area through mid-November to reduce the density of the infestations.
This is the third year of a planned five-year project, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Treatment location areas will be along and within the Elk and Scout Loop trails, and the area within Hemlock Loop on the eastern half of the trail area.
The initial treatments will be by an herbicide application from mid-May through mid-June and then manual cutting from July-November on selected plants. The ANF will also treat other non-native invasive plant species within or near the buckthorn treatment areas if encountered.
Temporary closures will be in place on the days the herbicide applications are taking place. The public can 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 is a non-native invasive plant species. They 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 from moving through the forest.
