Grounds Maintenance: Japanese Knotweed
There is a lot of fuss currently concerning the Japanese Knotweed; this is a highly invasive and fast growing weed which is causing many problems within the UK – but not for long! Twistfix have introduced our new Grounds Maintenance section to our already extensive product range in order to try and tackle the problem head on!
Although there are other invasive and fast growing weeds which can cause structural damage we are going to focus on one currently in the media – Japanese Knotweed.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that Japanese Knotweed originates from Japan but how did it get over to the UK?
Well in fact it was brought over by the Victorians as they admired for its lush greenery and highly distinctive heart-shaped leaves. In Japan where it originates from it is easily controlled naturally by predators but in the UK these predators are not present, there are none and thus it is left to spread.
The most invasive plant species in the UK it spreads and forms thick, dense colonies which completely crowd out any other plant life. When the Japanese Knotweed is left to spread it can create a root system with a 7 metres radius and these roots can be as far as 3 metres deep this in turn makes eradication of the weed extremely disruptive, costly and unreliable.
With such an extensive root system if it is in your back garden, front garden or nearby to property these roots can actually break up concrete, tarmac paving and even cause structural damage. In one case the root system actually went underneath a property and broke through the dining room floor! This is no laughing matter though – the Japanese Knotweed poses serious threat to building structures and causes damage to foundations, drains, retaining walls, patios and many other features.
It is this reason why Twistfix has just launched out new Grounds Maintenance section. It is important that when dealing with Japanese Knotweed and other hardy weeds you don’t waste your time buying your average weed killer from a DIY store or garden centre as in most cases these simple are not strong enough. Instead you should use what the professionals use, Roundup 360 Pro.
Selecting the correct herbicide is absolutely essential if knotweed or hardy weed treatments are going to prove effective. These work by navigating through the plant structure and into the root system below. Glyphosate is recognised as the best active ingredient in herbicide for use to control Japanese knotweed. It penetrates through the whole plant and travels to the root stems (rhizome).
Don't try to dig up Japanese Knotweed without treatment as this will lead to a significant increase in stem density. Even a tiny fragment of the cut rhizome is capable of regeneration. Following treatment of the knotweed best practice is to incinerate the dried-out remains onsite.
Due to its regenerative properties and invasive habit Japanese Knotweed is listed under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as a plant that is not to be planted or otherwise introduced into the wild. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 also lists it as 'controlled waste' to be disposed of properly. You have a legal obligation not to cause it to spread if it occurs on your land and you must keep it contained or face criminal prosecution. It is important that you deal with it sooner rather than later, mortgage lenders will not lend money to a person if Japanese Knotweed is found on the property site!
Twistfix supplies a Knotweed Control Kit including powerful Roundup 360 Pro Biactive herbicide treatments for use by professional maintenance personnel in the control of Japanese knotweed, ground hogweed and other invasive plants.