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Is Common buckthorn illegal in Montana?
Sources (6)
- ARM 4.5.206 Priority 1A (LII) – Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute
- ARM 4.5.207 Priority 1B (LII) – Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute
- ARM 4.5.208 Priority 2A (LII) – Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute
- ARM 4.5.209 Priority 2B (LII) – Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute
- ARM 4.5.210 Priority 3 (LII) – Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute
- Montana Dept. of Agriculture — noxious weeds – Montana Department of Agriculture
Also called: European buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica. Last checked against official sources: 2026-10-14.
Federal noxious weed list (7 CFR 360.200): Common buckthorn is not listed.
What Montana's official list says
| List / legal category | Listed as | List note | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority 2A noxious weed (ARM 4.5.208), control list — not a sale ban | Rhamnus cathartica | common buckthorn | Not a sale ban — control-only list |
Effective dates
- The official list entry does not state a separate effective date for this species. See the linked law for when the listing took effect.
Already have it in your yard?
Control lists can require landowners or agencies to control or eradicate the plant. The list says it is not a sale ban, but control duties may apply to you as a landowner.
Native alternatives for Montana
None of our suggested replacements is recorded as native to this state in USDA PLANTS. Ask your state native plant society or Extension office.
Common buckthorn in other states
Connecticut Illinois Indiana Iowa Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota New Hampshire New Jersey New York Ohio Pennsylvania Vermont Wisconsin
See every plant on Montana's invasive & noxious plant lists, or check any plant.
Not legal advice. PlantLegit summarizes official lists and links the source. Laws change, local (county/city) rules may add restrictions, and the official text controls. "What it means" is our plain-English label; read the exact list wording. Confirm with the agency before buying, selling or removing plants. Full disclaimer.