Japanese Barberry

Japanese Barberry is quite prevalent in Eastern New England. It dominates over native flora taking away all areas possible for it’s own use. 
Where found: Field, farms, second generation forests, along roadsides and waterways, sandy and gravel areas.

Recognizable Description: Shrub - Dense, small green leaves till Fall when they get a red tinge, small oblong red berries, many thorns, and multiples stems per plant.

Distribution: Birds love the fruit and disperse seeds. Fruit can be transported by streams or rivers and deposited a distance away. Some areas are densely packed with these shrubs.

Warning: If you use a herbicide to try and kill off Japanese Barberry, you risk killing any bird or other creature that eats the fruit. Birds also nest in these shrubs which increases their risk of any chemical harming them.

Suggested removal method: Cut shrubs but leave about six inches of stems above ground. Use shovel and dig out root system. If shrub has fruit, contain it so fruit don’t disperse. Place fruit in garbage for the incinerator to dispose of. There will be a seed supply in the ground so yearly inspection will need to be done.

Use: I don’t use.

How do you utilize Japanese Barberry?

These statements are from personal experience. If you want more information on Japanese Barberry, refer too:

NRCS: Japanese Barberry
http://www.ct.nrcs.usda.gov/japanese-barberry.html

University of Maine Cooperative Extension Publications
http://umaine.edu/publications/2504e/

Japanese Barberry and Ticks
http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/gtr/gtr-p-78papers/68wardp78.pdf

Woodstock Conservation Commission
http://www.woodstockconservation.org/Invasive_plants.htm