Japanese Barberry

Japanese Barberry

Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is a shrub native to Japan and China and was brought to the U.S. for ornamental purposes, erosion control, and to act as living fences due to their thorny nature. It has thin, spiny branches with clusters of teardrop-shaped leaves, yellow flowers, and small egg-shaped red berries. The prolific amount of berries that Japanese barberry produces are consumed and spread by birds. Japanese barberries can form dense stands and outcompete native plants. They can also alter pH levels and microbial composition of the soil, fundamentally changing the ecosystem and impacting the health and diversity of other native plants and organisms.  

Barberries make an ideal environment for ticks to thrive by providing low light levels and humidity during harsh summers. At about five feet tall, barberry becomes the ideal height for ticks to latch onto white tail deer and spread. 

Keys To Success

Barberry can be managed by digging and pulling it out of the ground, it’s best to do this early in the season before it flowers and drops seed to prevent further spread. Cutting all the stems to the ground and painting the stumps with systemic herbicide like glyphosate and triclopyr is also an effective management method. When using either method, make sure to monitor for any regrowth.