Buckthorn (Common & Glossy)
Rhamnus cathartica / Frangula alnus
A tall shrub or small tree that invades yards, hedgerows, and ravines. It leafs out early and keeps its green leaves late into fall, and its black berries are spread widely by birds.
Common buckthorn — oval leaves with curved veins; a shrub or small tree.
Image source: Common buckthorn identification fact sheet (educational reference)
At a glance
- Key clue
- Stays green late in fall; black berries; curved leaf veins
- Best months
- October to November, when buckthorn stays green after other plants lose their leaves
- Often found
- Backyard, Fence line, Ravine edge, Vacant lot
- Easiest to remove
- Fall, or any time for small seedlings
Why it's prohibited
Buckthorn degrades natural areas by forming a dense monoculture that shades out and inhibits the growth of native shrubs and wildflowers. It spreads rapidly because birds eat the berries and drop the seeds everywhere, and it is very difficult to remove once established.
Main identification features
- Shrub or small tree, often 2–6 m tall, sometimes multi-stemmed
- Oval leaves with curved (arching) veins and finely toothed edges
- Stays green late into fall, after most native plants have dropped their leaves
- Clusters of small black berries on female plants in late summer and fall
- Common buckthorn often has a short thorn at the tip of twigs; cut bark is orange underneath
Similar plants & look-alikes
- Native dogwoods — Dogwood leaf veins also curve, but dogwoods lack the late-fall green leaves and black berries, and have different bark.
- Cherry / plum saplings — Cherries have horizontal lines (lenticels) on the bark and a single trunk; buckthorn bark is rougher and cut wood is orange.
Month-by-month identification timeline
October to November, when buckthorn stays green after other plants lose their leaves.
April–May (Early spring)
· 2–6 mOne of the first shrubs to leaf out, with glossy oval leaves opening early.
Early leaf-out — green before most native shrubs.
May–June (Late spring)
Small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers appear in the leaf joints.
Tiny greenish flowers; leaves show curved veins.
July–September (Summer)
Dense, leafy shrub or small tree; green berries begin to form on female plants.
Curved leaf veins and forming berry clusters.
August–October (Late summer / fall)
Berries ripen to black; foliage stays stubbornly green.
Black berry clusters + late-season green leaves — the giveaway.
November–winter (Dormant)
Leaves finally drop, leaving twigs that may end in a small thorn; orange inner bark when cut.
Thorn-tipped twigs; orange wood under the bark.
Growth-stage photo gallery
Photos of buckthorn (common & glossy) at different growth stages — note the visual features described under each one to identify it confidently.
A dense shrub or small tree that forms a thicket, leafing out early and staying green late into fall.
Oval leaves with curved (arching) veins and small greenish flowers in the leaf joints.
Clusters of berries ripening from green to black along the twigs — spread widely by birds.
Grey-brown bark on a young stem; common buckthorn twigs often end in a short thorn.
Click any photo to enlarge. Image source: Common buckthorn identification fact sheet (educational reference).
How to remove it safely
Safest resident-friendly approach
Pull or dig out seedlings and small plants when the soil is moist — the whole root comes up more easily. For larger stems, cut them low; because cut stumps resprout vigorously, repeatedly cut the regrowth, or cover the stump to block light over the season.
Tools & protection
- Gloves
- Pruning shears or a pruning saw
- Spade or a weed-pulling lever tool for small stems
Best time of year
Fall is ideal for spotting and cutting buckthorn (it's still green); pull seedlings any time the soil is moist.
Monitoring
Re-check cut stumps and surrounding soil for seedlings every year for several years.
Prevent regrowth
Monitor cut stumps and pull new seedlings each year; replant the area with native shrubs to shade out returns.
What not to do
- Don't leave berry-laden branches lying around — birds and seeds can spread them
- Don't assume one cut is enough; uncut stumps will resprout
Disposal
Bag berries and seed-bearing branches for the garbage so seeds aren't spread. Woody stems with no berries can usually go out as yard waste per City rules.
Safety cautions
- Wear gloves and eye protection when cutting woody stems
- Watch for the small thorns at the tips of common buckthorn twigs
When to get professional help
Large thickets, or buckthorn growing along a ravine edge, are best handled with a professional or a community stewardship group.
Bag and garbage any berries or seed-bearing material; check City yard-waste rules for woody, berry-free branches.
Sources
Report a prohibited plant
Found this plant growing on a property? Report it to the City through official Toronto 311.
Report through Toronto 311This page is provided for general educational and reference purposes only. Plant identification results are not a legal determination. Always confirm prohibited plant information using official City of Toronto resources. For hazardous species or large infestations, consider seeking professional advice.
Image credits & usage
Plant photographs are reproduced for non-commercial public education and identification reference only. Sources include Ontario weed-identification (OMAFRA / Ontario CropIPM) and invasive-species fact-sheet materials; all image rights remain with their respective owners. If you are a rights holder with a concern, please contact us through the Feedback page. Photos on this page: Common buckthorn identification fact sheet (educational reference). Contact us.