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Clearing the Way: Buckthorn Removal at Hidden Pond Trail
- Macy Schlaht
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Hidden Pond Trail offers a secluded-feeling escape right in the heart of Valley City. Though not yet open to the public, this trail is in the process of becoming more accessible for the community to enjoy with future upgrades like an updated path, benches, and the potential of other features like wildflowers and educational signage. As part of the effort to create a welcoming space for our community, we are actively removing invasive buckthorn and restoring the surrounding habitat, ensuring the trail remains healthy and vibrant for not only our community to enjoy, but also wildlife to thrive.
We are excited to partner with Audubon Great Plains, the regional office of the National Audubon Society serving Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, to support meaningful conservation and habitat restoration efforts along Hidden Pond Trail. With the expertise of MNL, a trusted ecological restoration and vegetation management team with over 25 years of experience in the Upper Midwest, crews are actively removing invasive buckthorn to restore the trail’s natural balance. This project, funded through a grant program with Audubon Great Plains, uses targeted strategies such as cutting trees with a forestry mower and treating the stumps to reduce regrowth, ensuring long-term success in preserving the trail corridor.
This project does more than clear invasive growth—it ensures the long-term health of the land. Buckthorn can quickly crowd out native plants, reduce habitat quality for wildlife, and change the character of the natural spaces our community enjoys. Through thoughtful removal, continued monitoring, and ongoing treatment, we are creating a long-term stewardship plan designed to help native grasses, trees, and wildflowers return and thrive.
About Buckthorn
Common (European) buckthorn is an invasive shrub or small tree that can grow 6–20 feet tall. It has gray-brown bark, glossy dark green leaves, small yellow-green flowers in spring, and black berry-like fruits that appear in late summer. Originally from Europe and Asia, buckthorn was introduced to North America in the 1800s for hedges and shelterbelts but has since spread widely across the Midwest, including many counties in North Dakota.
Where It Grows
Buckthorn can thrive in many environments, including woodland edges, trails, ravines, fence rows, and roadsides. It tolerates a variety of soil types and light conditions, allowing it to spread easily in both open and partially shaded areas.
Why It's A Problem
Buckthorn grows quickly and spreads aggressively, producing large amounts of seed that can remain viable in the soil for several years. Because it leafs out early in the spring and holds its leaves late into fall, it creates dense shade that prevents native trees, grasses, and wildflowers from growing. Over time, this reduces biodiversity and can change the health of natural ecosystems.
Removing Buckthorn
By identifying different life stages of the invasive species, we are able to ensure the correct removal and treatment process for the best results, as shown by this diagram from Minnesota Department of Agriculture:
This buckthorn removal is just the first step in creating a healthy, thriving environment along Hidden Pond Trail. We’re excited to continue this work and look forward to the day the trail opens to the public—a space where families can take their dogs for walks, enjoy peaceful time in nature, and learn more about the wildlife that calls this area home.