CASH
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CASH 💵
Buckthorn Bounty
We need you! We’re paying citizens* to help protect the local ecosystem by removing the invasive species Buckthorn (rhamnus cathartica) from their private properties.
*At this time we are only accepting applications from 60047 residents. Sign up is free!
How it Works
Take 3-5 pictures of your buckthorn infestation.
Register using the form below and upload your buckthorn photos.
We’ll contact you with instructions and even come do a site visit.
Remove your buckthorn using the methods that we recommend.
Upload your “after” photos using the same form.
We’ll send you a check!
What You Earn
$2 for stumps ½ inch diameter to 3.75 inch diameter
$5 for stumps 4 inch diameter and above
Up to $150 per household
Getting Started
Before you begin, watch this video on how to remove buckthorn.
The Problem with Buckthorn
European Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is a shrub that grows up to 25 feet tall. It is a European native which comes as male or female. It was brought to the U.S. in the 1840s and farmers used it as natural fencing. Unfortunately, it has no natural predators or diseases to limit its spread. It has overtaken natural and residential areas in much of Northern Illinois.
The buckthorn is like the speed demon of plants, leaving our native plants struggling to keep up. Buckthorn is also sneaky in how it spreads. A mature female plant can make thousands of purple berries. Birds chow down on these berries, and when they, ahem, leave them behind, the seeds end up sprouting near trees and fences. These seeds hog the sunlight and soil nutrients, especially close to trees and fences. In just a few years, Buckthorn takes over, shading out the plants we actually want in our neighborhoods and natural spots.
But that’s not all. Buckthorn’s roots release a chemical that stops native plants from growing. This means the good plants can’t make more of themselves, which is bad news for your landscape. It not only loses value in terms of money but also messes with the balance of nature around you.