Japanese Knotweed

Spring is here .....  but so is the Japanese Knotweed

Whilst the warmer conditions are welcome, the Japanese Knotweed will not be.  As at the end of March, the characteristic red spears of Japanese Knotweed are already pushing through and forming their first leaves.  At this stage they look pretty innocuous, but give them a few more weeks and they will again show why they are one of the most talked about weeds in this country.

Many reports have centred on the Olympic Village construction, as well as regular press articles on the impact to developers of brown field sites.  Damage to buildings, structures, paths and tarmac can occur, and it is for these reasons that many companies are setting out to take control of this weed.   Not only this but the stems trap litter which in turn lead to increased vermin.

Japanese Knotweed was first brought into the UK as an ornamental plant during the 1800's, as the plant displays attractive creamy flowers in late summer.  Now it can be found affecting areas in most parts of the UK, and its spread has been purely by vegetative means. 

In a few weeks time Japanese Knotweed will have grown into large plants with large oval/heart shaped leaves growing from bamboo like stems and reaching heights of up to 3 metres by June/July.  What you see above the ground is only part of the problem, as below ground its roots can penetrate several metres deep and across.  Japanese Knotweed can grow in very hostile conditions, and even concrete and tarmac will not stop it.  Once it establishes itself, it soon out-competes other natural vegetation, leading to a monoculture of Japanese Knotweed.  It is in this way that bio-diversity is reduced.

Help is at hand though, in the form of TORDON* 22K available through Nomix Enviro Ltd.  TORDON 22K is based on the active ingredient picloram, and very high levels of control of Japanese Knotweed can be achieved.  TORDON 22K can be taken up by both the roots and leaves of weeds and can be used on non-crop land such as motorway and railway embankments, roadsides, industrial areas and grassland of no agricultural interest.  TORDON 22K is effective on a wide range of difficult weeds including ragwort, mugwort, bramble and creeping thistle whilst being safe to grasses; which means it is ideal for maintaining bank stability.  It is for these reasons TORDON 22K has become a popular choice in Industrial Weed Control.

Link here for detailed information on TORDON 22K.
Link here for more information from Nomix Enviro Ltd.