Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
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Learn How To Identify Invasive Trees and Bushes

By John Harris, Steward Leader for the Morton Arboretum
​
​Common Buckthorn
Rhamnus cathartica
Highlights from the video:
  • Usually found in lower areas; does well in wetter places
  • The buckthorn is allelopathic, meaning it produces poison in its roots and wood, creating a chemical warfare against its competitors. The toxins discourage other plants, like wildflowers, from growing under and around the tree. The toxins can even affect small mammals, reptiles and amphibians that use the soil.
  • Identifying characteristics:
    • Bark has a horizontal feel to the detail on smaller piece; bark has long striations that flake off.
    • Buds are sub-opposite or sub-alternate — not perfectly opposite from one another.
    • Terminal bud is composed of two buds clasping a thorn between them. The shape of this looks like a deer footprint and that is how the tree gets its name "buckthorn".
    • When you peel back the bark the cambium is revealed to have a very orange color. The heartwood is also appears pretty orange.
    • The smell is very distinctive.
    • The leaves emerge early and stay on the tree late into the fall.
    • Berries are black and only found on the female trees. The berries have a laxative effect on birds that helps to spread the tree seeds. For wildlife the berries are not a great food and not favored compared to other choices — a last resort.





Amur Honeysuckle (Bush Honeysuckle)
​Lonicera maackii
Highlights from the video:
  • Usually found in light shade in mesic to medium-wet areas. It has taken hold mainly in open woodlands.
  • ​In winter it's easy to see that the stems emerge in a fountain shape from the base.
  • Identifying characteristics:
    • ​Bark is smooth with striations; older honeysuckle bark looks like a deer antler.
    • Twigs and buds are opposite from each other.
    • Cut a twig and notice it has a hollow pith. A native honeysuckle will have a solid pith.
    • In spring the leaves have a short stem.
    • Buds begin pink and go to white.
    • Red berries in summer. Birds love them, but they don't have the high fat content that the birds really need. Birds spread the seed.
    • Retains its leaves well into the fall.

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8772 S. Lowden Road  (mailing address)            
2075 Lowden Road (Visitor Center)           
Franklin Grove, IL 61031

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  • Home
  • About Friends
    • Mission, Leadership, Objectives, and Financials
    • Friends Annual Meeting 2024
    • Endowments
    • Heritage Heroes Initiative
    • Friends Annual Reports
    • Newsletters >
      • PrairiE–Update (email)
      • A Prairie Calling (print and digital)
    • Commenting Policy
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Hours & Parking
    • Directions and Map
    • Visitor Center
    • Pet Policy
    • Public Bison Tours
    • Bison Viewing
    • Hiking >
      • Hiking Guidelines
      • Hiking Destinations
      • Guided Hikes
      • Stone Barn Savanna Tour
      • Visitor Center Trail
      • Scavenger Hunt
    • Autumn on the Prairie >
      • Yearly Festival
    • What's In Bloom?
    • Exploring Nachusa Grasslands on Your Own
    • Things to Do
    • Places to Eat and Stay
    • Local Sites to Visit and Explore
  • Donate
  • Calendar
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Thursday and Saturday Workdays >
      • Workday Signup
      • Workdays – November to February
      • Volunteer Workday Safety Protocols
      • Leader Workday Safety Protocols
      • Steward Workday Tips
    • Workday Email List
    • Volunteer Recognition
    • Docents
  • Stewardship
    • Nachusa Stewardship
    • Restorations
    • Planting Histories >
      • Stewardship Unit Planting Histories
      • Planting Histories in Chronological Order
    • Weed Reports
    • Native plant resources
    • Volunteer Stewards
    • Groups and Committees
    • Available Units
    • Controlled Burns
    • Prescribed Fire Recruitment
    • Restoration Publications
    • Stewardship Resources >
      • Seed Collection Guides
      • Invasive Plant Management
      • Invasive Identification
      • Monitoring
      • Resource Links
  • Science
    • Science at Nachusa Grasslands
    • Science Symposium 2025
    • 2025 Science Symposium Abstracts
    • Science Grants >
      • Science Grants 2025
      • Science Grants 2021 to 2024 >
        • Science Grants 2024
        • Science Grants 2023
        • Science Grants 2022
        • Science Grants 2021
      • Science Grants 2016 to 2020 >
        • Science Grants 2020
        • Science Grants 2019
        • Science Grants 2018
        • Science Grants 2017
        • Science Grants 2016
      • Science Grants 2011 to 2015 >
        • Science Grants 2015
        • Science Grants 2014
        • Science Grants 2013/2012/2011
    • Potential Research Topics
    • Scientific Publications
    • Anderson Science Award
    • Science Videos
    • Become a Community Scientist >
      • About Community Scientists
      • Butterfly Monitoring
      • Calling Frog Monitoring
      • Dragonflies & Damselflies
      • RiverWatch
  • About Nachusa
    • General Info
    • Nachusa Staff
    • Prairie Smoke Annual Reports
    • Plant Inventory >
      • Common Names
      • Genus Species
    • Animal Inventory >
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Bison Bison >
        • Bison
        • Bison Babies Broadcast Videos
      • Fish
      • Insects
      • Mammals
      • Other Arthropods
      • Reptiles
    • History
    • Jobs
    • Hunting
    • Geology >
      • Geology Part 1
      • Geology Part 2
      • Geology Part 3
    • Websites of Interest
  • Teacher Resources
    • K-2nd grades
    • 3rd-5th grades
    • 6th-8th grades
    • High School
  • BLOG AND MEDIA
    • Nachusa Blog
    • In The News
    • Photo Gallery >
      • Spring Photos
      • Summer Photos
      • Autumn Photos
      • Winter Photos
    • Videos
  • Contact Us / FAQs