Trouble is if those weeds are not controlled somehow then these nice new paths will be ruined in no time at all.It's not the weed you look at that's the problem. ( Although some have nasty skin and respiratory irritants, are a haven to ticks, fleas and lice, Some are also dangerous to domestic dogs, horses and humans. ) but it's the roots that cause the real problems. A pretty looking weed can have roots that can shift bricks and crack concrete, throttle other vegetation and loosen foundations. Knotweed, unchecked, can bring a 20 ft wall down in just a matter of a few years. Roots can travel a very long way. A four year old cultivated Gojiberry tree recently felled in my Neighbours garden because it was too thorny and flailed in the wind had roots that ran through four gardens and suckers are still coming up two years later.Locally there are a lot of what look like shrubs and ornamental trees growing in Parks and open spaces but are actually invasive species with massive root lines. They look ok but have gone unnoticed. Traditionally root rangers like these would be 'boxed' when planted to contain the root growth and limit the damage risk to structures as well as engulf the planting.Most nasty weedkillers are only nasty at the time of spraying, once in contact with the plant the external risk is minimal and usually animal repellants are incorporated.When used you don't see dozens of dead birds or animals. It's quite rare. Foraging Dogs might get affected but could be just as affected by faeces or vomit from wild animals, ticks and other insects or fauna unfriendly to domesticated animals.Simplest solution is to close of parts of Parks to be treated for a day or put signs up to advise dog walkers to keep the dogs on a tight Leash ( which is supposed to be the norm in Public Parks except where advocated)
Raymond Havelock ● 1047d