Japanese Barberry

Miller, James H.; Manning, Steven T.; Enloe, Stephen F. 2010. A management guide for invasive plants in southern forests. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–131. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 120 p.

Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii DC.) is a tardily deciduous, compact, and spreading shrub 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm) in height and slightly wider, occasionally 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 3 m) high. Leaves are alternate in tight clusters, spatulate (paddle shaped) with entire margins and bases narrowing to the stem. Forms dense infestations under forest canopies but prefers partial shade of edges to exclude other plants. Infestations intensify by root sprouts and rooting of drooping stems. Seeds remain viable in the soil for up to 10 years. Application of herbicides early in the season before native vegetation has matured may minimize nontarget impacts. However, application in late summer during fruiting may be most effective. Resembles both the nonnative invasive common or European barberry (B. vulgaris L.) and the native American barberry (B. canadensis Mill.), while both have finely bristled leaf margins. Also resembles a rare escaped wintergreen barberry (B. julianae C.K. Schneid.) in the mountains that has leathery, evergreen leaves.

Management strategies

• Do not plant. Remove prior plantings, and control sprouts and seedlings. Bag and dispose of fruit in a dumpster or burn.
• Treat when new plants are young to prevent seed formation.
• Cut or mulch when fruit are not present.
• Minimize disturbance within miles of where this plant occurs, and anticipate wider occupation when plants are present before disturbance.
• Manually pull and tree wrench when soil is moist, ensuring removal of all roots.
• Burns hot when green to topkill small to medium-sized stems.
• Readily eaten by goats and sheep.

Recommended control procedures

• Thoroughly wet all leaves with a glyphosate herbicide or Garlon 3A as a 2-percent solution (8 ounces per 3-gallon mix) in water with a surfactant.
• Cut large stems and immediately treat with one of the following herbicides: a glyphosate herbicide or Garlon 3A as a 25-percent solution (3 quarts per 3-gallon mix). ORTHO Brush-B-Gon, Enforcer Brush Killer, and Vine-X are effective undiluted for treating cut-stumps and available in retail garden stores (safe to surrounding plants).
• Subsequent foliar applications may be required to control new seedlings and resprouts.

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