How to dispose of buckthorn

Proper disposal is an important step in controlling invasive buckthorn. But residents often tell us they aren't sure how to do this. Here are two options:

1. Take debris to the city's brush drop-off site at Public Works. It's open seasonally; check the website for days and times.
2. Request a pick-up through the Resilient Minnetonka program. See below for details about this service.
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If you're interested in residential buckthorn pick-up, please read through the following section.

What you need to know about this service:

1. We cannot provide residential buckthorn pick-up on demand. Resilient Minnetonka participants submit a request, and we schedule with a contractor to provide several pick-up dates through the year.
2. You must meet all pick-up criteria listed in the section below.
3. Before you remove any buckthorn, explore our buckthorn learning module to learn the best strategies and timing for best success.
   • Please note: We do not recommend pulling buckthorn up by the roots (except for seedlings), and roots are not accepted at the brush drop-off or in the pick-up.
     
4. A "load" of buckthorn debris is 10 cubic yards (see item 5, below). We can sometimes pick up more (with prior staff approval), or you might be eligible for a second pick-up at another time.
5. Only remove buckthorn on your own property – not on city property or private property owned by others.

Buckthorn pick-up criteria:

• Who is eligible? Any participant of the city's Resilient Minnetonka program can request residential buckthorn pick-up service.
  • If you aren't yet a Resilient Minnetonka participant, see the bottom of the page for more information.
• What kind of debris is accepted?
  • We accept buckthorn stems and branches, ideally cut to lengths of six feet or smaller.
  • Roots, or debris from other plants, are not eligible for pick-up.
• How much buckthorn debris can be picked up?
  • The volume of buckthorn is measure in cubic yards. For our pick-up service, one load = 10 cubic yards. That's a tidily stacked pile measuring roughly 15 ft. long x 6 ft wide x 3 ft high.
  • Larger piles may be accepted with prior staff approval, or you might be eligible for a second pick-up at a later date.
  • If you have only a fraction of a load, let staff know that in your application.
    
• How does the pick-up work?
  • Start by confirming that you have a spot suitable for pick-up. Our contractor uses a garbage truck-sized vehicle to drive up and grab the material, which requires the following:
    • The debris pile must be placed along a public roadway, so it sits within 10 feet of the curb.
    • Ensure there are obstructions between the pile and the roadway (such as fences, standing vegetation, etc.)
    • Notify staff in advance if there are low-hanging utility lines over the spot.
  • Important note: Don't stack buckthorn along the street until you've (1) applied for pick-up service and (2) been scheduled for a pick-up date. To ensure you're in compliance with city code, you will need to store buckthorn out of public view on your property until then.
  • Once your pick-up date is scheduled, you'll receive guidance on how to build a buckthorn pile for pick-up.

If you'd like to apply for pick-up:

Are you already participating in the Resilient Minnetonka program? Complete this request form. The Resilient Minnetonka staff contact will reach out to discuss next steps for buckthorn pick-up.

If you are not a current Resilient Minnetonka participant, please start by visiting that program's orientation module to learn more and apply. The staff contact will get back to you about a variety of possible next steps.