High Park: Buckthorn Buster Event

On Sunday, November 4, 20 volunteers came together at High Park for the "Buckthorn Buster" event.  High Park is the largest park in Toronto spanning 161 hectares of land, north of Humber Valley.  Its a mixed recreational park with educational facilities, playgrounds, and even a zoo.  Animals such as llamas, bison, and moose were kept in wired fences.  "" Very little wildlife was roams the land freely, due to the high amount of recreational activites. 

This weekend, buckthorn removal was of utmost importance to the health of High Park. The Common Buckthorn is a widespread European native species.  Early europeans thought the berries on these plants jazzed up the aesthetic aspect of the land, and brought them over.  Now, this has become one of Ontario's highly unwanted plants in parks. 

The natural area  in High Park being cleared of buckthorn was actually a savannah area.  The plants that usually grow in savannahs, are restricted due to the high population of Buckthorns.  Buckthorn roots are sturdy, and the plants are very hardy.  These invasive species can grow up to 15m, leaving less room for native plants. Buckthorn produces both red and black berries that are not edible. 

For the most part, saws were used to cut the buckthorns, leaving them at a height of a feet.  This is because, park wardens use herbicides in the winter, to remove them permanently.  Eventhough, the usage of herbicides may harm the environment, it seems to be the only working method for Buckthorn busting at High Park.  In the spring, the area will be burnt, in order to rejuvenate new native life.