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Japanese Knotweed
Introducing The Most Destructive Piece Of Greenery In Britain
Of all the noxious and invasive weeds that are running riot in our fields and towns there is one that really is in a class of its own. Like a huge blanket it scrambles and tumbles on its daily quest to cover every inch of ground it can find. Able to grow at a rate of 10cm a day and producing roots that can go down 4 metres, calling Japanese Knotweed invasive is probably doing it an injustice. The plant was introduced as an ornamental plant back in the 19th century but like so many other alien species it soon escaped into the wild and with no natural enemies to control its spread Japanese Knotweed has gradually infested almost every corner of the UK.
This rapid colonisation is even more alarming given that spread of the plant is solely by vegetative means. Every Japanese Knotweed plant in the UK is female and therefore does not produce fertile seeds. This vegetative spread has primarily been by the earth moving activities of man and from illegal fly-tipping. The rapid spread of Knotweed material by moving water has also led to a vast colonisation of the river embankments of the UK.
So Whats The Damage?
As Japanese Knotweed invades it smothers and excludes many of our indigenous species of flaura and fauna from their natural habbitats. River bank erosion during the winter die-back period when bare soil becomes exposed and the incidence of flooding caused by dead plant stems clogging up channels are now serious problems costing millions of pounds every year in an attempt to contain. All very worrying fo our natural environment, however of all the problems that are associated with pernacious plant it is probably the pottential for it to cause structural damage to property and hard surfaces that has made most of the headlines and generated most concerns to property owners and developers.
How To Recognise Japanese Knotweed
The annual cycle of growth of Japanese Knotweed is both rapid and disticnt. Emerging spear like from the earth in the spring the purple shoots quickly extend to a metre in height before branching out and forming the familiar dense and often inpenetrable cannopy associated with the plant throughout the summer. Reaching heights of up to 3 metres, groups of small white flowers are eventually seen forming on the branches towards the end of Summer. With the onset of the winter the plant sheds all vegetation but continues to be easily identifiable by the bare stems and branches which remain standing 'skeletal like' throughout the winter.
The distinct seasonal stages of Japanese Knotweed growth - (Please click on a thumbnail for a more detailed view)
Eradicating Japanese Knotweed
In spite of its known perhacious behaviour Japanese Knotweed it is not a 'Notifiable Weed' and there is no statutory requirement to remove it from your own land. However because of its dominanting effect on native species, it is listed under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which makes it an offence to plant or cause to grow in the wild. To ensure compliance with the act and avoid the potential for prosecution all land owners should be fully aware of their responsibillities in the correct means of disposal and prevention of spread to neigboring lan and property.
Alder Environmental have an extensive knowledge in the management of Japanese Knotweed within a wide range of rural, urban and brown field developent enviroments.
Our comprehensive range of services from identification to eradication includes;
Site investigations and Reporting
Herbicide Treatment Programmes
For further advice on how to erradicate Japanese Knotweed from your land or to arrange for a qualified advisor to undertake a full site investigation of your problem, please contact us today.
Telephone: 01625 531026 email: info@weedcontrol.co.uk
Alder Environmental . Unit 53 . Courthill House . Water Lane . Wilmslow . Chesire . SK9 5AJ