In addition to outcompeting native plants that support native wildlife, buckthorn are bad for surrounding structures. Their roots are shallow but dense, hoarding nutrients for themselves. Native plants with deep roots soak up water and incorporate it into the Earth’s water cycle; buckthorn trees let the water pool and soak into my basement and cost me thousands of dollars in repairs.
invasive
Xanaduing My Best: English Ivy
English ivy was eating my new home. It crawled through windows, over doors, and into brick. It climbed up trees and advanced across grass. It swallowed up light and space. From the front curb to the rear fence, the north side of my property was a 15-foot wide forest of invasive plants, with English ivy rising from the ground in mats, suffocating trees, and generally taking over.
Put It In Your Hat 