Forum Topic

Japanese knotweed

Should I worry about buying bags of Council compost or ground cover bark which we want to use to restrict weed growth.  Do you know?CheersSarah x

Sarah Felstead ● 4581d12 Comments

'tis edible,I read somewhere that it was farmers that bought it here as a never ending source of fodder....Gits!!

Tony Wood ● 4558d

It is supposed to be edible.  Only I'd rather not try it in case somebody was trying to poison it.

Philippa Bond ● 4558d

Unfortunately I have JK on my property which I've been doing battle with for 3 years. There is no easy remedy like digging it out (that can make it worse) or just pouring weed killer on it,even professionals take 3 years to "hopefully" get rid of it.  My house has a long sea wall(110 meters) and the JK is on the beach side which unfortunately I am responsible for,if it was below the mean high watermark then it would be the Queens problem.  There are all sorts of legal requirements,taking any part off of your property is the one to avoid,it's a £20k fine in Scotland,I'm not sure in England.As we're so close to a water course we aren't allowed to use normal weed killers (more fines). After reading as much as possible we dug up as much as possible sieving all soil/sand to make sure not a trace of the root system remained,obviously some did because it came up again the next year but was much reduced. now rather than digging we just cut the stems just below the lowest leaves, when they reach about 3 feet,this evidently prevents the plant doing anything with it's stored food. This seems to be working as there were only a few stems this year.  Recently we've been pouring vinegar down the cut stems,an internet tip my wife found and that seems to be doing the trick as well,I can't imagine there's a law against vinegar! The pieces that we cut off are stored in double heavy duty black sacks for 2 years,after which you end up with a bag of slime...they then go on a really hot bonfire and that's hopefully that.   I really hope none of you catch it but if you do don't delay treat it straight away,on the other hand don't panic it's just one of those things that life throws at us!

Tony Wood ● 4558d

I think the bark should be safe to use. If you look at a picture of the Japanese Knotweed leaf on, say, wikipedia.org, you should be able to identify it if you see it first growing. At that stage it won't be out of control and you'd have a chance to simply dig it out. If left alone Japanese Knotweed can become dangerous.

Lee Russell ● 4558d

Sorry to hear that Jim.  Thanks Paul.  I need to know that ground cover bark bought to stop weeds is safe to use - does anyone know?    x

Sarah Felstead ● 4561d

There is a major infestation of Japanese Knotweed at Acton Works beside the District line. Look carefully westbound and you will see the treatment. and warning signs.It is rife in Northfields and many areas where there are a large amount of let properties where the gardens are not looked after.By far the worst infestations though are on Public property where ground maintenance is almost non existent.Mortgage lenders will not allow a purchase to proceed even if the knotweed infestation is on a neighbouring property.It can be treated but it takes years to eradicate and if the damage is done it can cost tens of thousands to repair.There is a house in Northfields which has been valued at almost zero because all of the foundations , garden and cellar are all entwined with the plant and the plant comes from a house 3 doors away which has not had the garden maintained for 20 years. Needless to say it's all heading to court.

Anthony Waller ● 4578d

The Knotweed is spreading from hospital land to the public highway and could possibly eventually affect the properties in Snowy Fielder Way if not dealt with.JL

Jim Linwood ● 4580d

If this is on hospital land then I'd say it's down to them to get it sorted.What Japanese knotweed looks likeJapanese knotweedlush green in colourshovel shaped leavesstem is bamboo like in appearanceproduces white flowers around September or Octobercan grow by 10cm a dayDetailed image of Japanese knotweed (PDF, 80KB) How Japanese knotweed spreadsIt spreads through its crown, rhizome (underground stem) and stem segments, rather than its seeds. The weed can grow a metre in a month and can cause heave below concrete and tarmac, coming up through the resulting cracks and damaging buildings and roads. Studies have shown that a 1cm section of rhizome can produce a new plant in 10 days. Rhizome segments can remain dormant in soil for twenty years before producing new plants.What to do if you see Japanese knotweedIf you have Japanese knotweed on your land you may be causing a private nuisance to surrounding properties. Using our guidance you should control the Japanese knotweed to prevent further spreading.If Japanese knotweed on a neighbouring property is causing a nuisance to you, we would always recommend that you co-operate with the landowner and seek to control the problem amicably, rather than resort to legal action. This is an issue under Common Law and the Environment Agency has no powers in this situation.The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 states that it is an offence to "plant or otherwise cause to grow in the wild" any plant listed in Schedule nine, Part II of the Act. This lists over 30 plants including Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed and parrot's feather. The police are responsible for investigating this offence and each police force has a wildlife liaison officer who can be contacted.The Environment Agency are responsible for ensuring that knotweed waste is managed and disposed of in accordance with the knotweed code of practice.

Vanessa Smith ● 4580d

A considerable amount of Japanese Knotweed is growing on hospital land at the junction of Snowy Fielder Waye and Park Road, Isleworth. I've reported this to the Council but I'm not aware of any action taken. If left unchecked it could cause structural damage.

Jim Linwood ● 4580d

The Japanese Knotweed Manual: The Management and Control of an Invasive Alien Weed (Fallopia japonica) by Lois Elizabeth Child and Paul Maxwell Wade (1 Nov 2000) http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1853411272Lois Elizabeth Child was involved in a advisory roll in the removal of a large infestation on Dukes Meadows, which took a number of years to get rid of Another Viewhttp://www.cabi.org/?page=1017&pid=1324&site=170

Paul Allen ● 4580d

If it is about trust then it surely is the process which has to be fool proof?Japanese knotweed is very dangerous, and the environment agency web site states that controlled disposal sites can only be used, so you are right it should not end up in the green garden waste bags for composting.http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/wildlife/130079.aspx"It spreads through its crown, rhizome (underground stem) and stem segments, rather than its seeds. The weed can grow a metre in a month and can cause heave below concrete and tarmac, coming up through the resulting cracks and damaging buildings and roads. Studies have shown that a 1cm section of rhizome can produce a new plant in 10 days. Rhizome segments can remain dormant in soil for twenty years before producing new plants."So, if it does end up in the garden compost bags does the composting process guarantee to kill the rhizomes?  And what about the packs of bark I want to buy to stop weeds?Anyone know?

Sarah Felstead ● 4580d

I wouldn't have thought so - as Japanese Knotweed has to be reported if discovered I'd think the council could be trusted on this one.

Vanessa Smith ● 4581d