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Issues
The problem of Japanese Knotweed has not been resolved and is still being pursued!
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Japanese Knotweed <In Summer In Winter> |
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Some time ago, the Environment Group organised a survey of the village to record where the noxious weed known as Japanese Knotweed had established itself. The resulting information was passed to the appropriate people in Argyll & Bute Council who received it with thanks and promised to tackle the (literally) growing problem.
The weed was introduced to this country in the mid-1800s. Due to differences in climate and predators, it grows in Europe much more vigorously than in its native Japan and has become a major nuisance. It propagates mainly by spreading root stems but it can also grow from discarded pieces of the plant. The use of mechanical cutters can throw pieces of the stem around and encourage new growth. Fly tipping, or other indiscriminate disposal of cut material can also exacerbate the problem.
Great care is required in attempting to eradicate the weed. It is only too easy to make matters worse by spreading the plant to new areas.
Japanese Knotweed is the subject of legislation intended to control and, if possible, eradicate it.
Under this legislation:
Control of Knotweed is the responsibility of the landowner.
Causing the spread of Knotweed outside of your property (by, for
example, fly tipping) is an offence for which you could be prosecuted..
Cutting or ripping up the plants can control the growth, but since this will not kill the root it will re-grow. It also creates a quantity of cut material which has to be disposed of responsibly.
A range of herbicides, including Glyphosate, are effective in the treatment of green growth, but regular application over a long period (many years) would be necessary to kill off the roots, and there is a possibility that the plant would recover in the long term.
Research is being carried out into pests and predators of the plant in its natural habitat in an effort to introduce a solution to the problem.
If you have to deal with an infestation of Knotweed, seek advice.
An Internet search for knotweed will produce some sources of help.
The local Environmental Agency will provide advice and information.
