Treatment and Control of Japanese Knotweed Pontypridd – Green Leaf Remediation

What is Japanese Knotweed?

Japanese Knotweed is a perennial weed that will grow and propagates quickly if not managed. The weed suppresses other plants and flowers growing around it from the crown and rhizomes (root system) that spread extensively underground. The shoots die off above ground in winter and re-emerge above ground once more in late spring, early summer months. Any effectively-established shoots can grow in excess of 9ft high and can colonize the soil within a few years.

There are many articles that say you can kill the roots with chemicals, however, you’ll need an NPTC qualified person to use any chemicals as a result of new legislation which covers the control and removal of Knotweed. There are plenty of common myths that say you are able to remove Knotweed by hand, however, it is an extremely hard and complicated procedure and usually, not successful unless you work with a Knotweed Professional. In the peak of the growing season, 60% of the Knotweed plants roots are below ground so removal is quite difficult and it also spreads wildly from one tiny fragment of crown or rhizome. Removing Knotweed material without considerable knowledge has a very high risk of dispersing the plant to other parts of the soil which were previously unaffected and it will spread quickly.

How to get rid of Knotweed?

There are many different methods of getting rid of Knotweed and a Knotweed Professional will be able to give you advice on the best and most efficient approach. Green Leaf Remediation are qualified and insured to carry out all of these services and have the knowledge and experience to assess which method will best suit the site conditions and its use.

Japanese Knotweed Pontypridd Stem-Injection

Stem-Injection is known as a low impact way of removal and there is little potential for disturbing or killing the plants growing about it. The stem-injection method is used for smaller areas of Knotweed where it has established itself among plants and vegetation that you would like to keep. Additionally, it is an approach normally used when Knotweed is near a watercourse. The stem-injection process works extremely well in dry or inclement weather conditions and the soil cannot be disturbed following a treatment.

Japanese Knotweed Pontypridd Foliar Spray Application

Foliar Spray Application is frequently used and is among the most favourable control strategies along with stem-injection. The process can be used to treat the Knotweed over a number of growing seasons. Dependent on how big the area of Knotweed is it is usually sprayed 2-3 times in the first year and once in the following years. The chemical used is an Environment Agency approved herbicide and requires dry weather conditions and also the soil to remain undisturbed in subsequent years to be effective.

Japanese Knotweed Pontypridd Weed Wiping Method

Weed Wiping Method is the leaves of the plant being wiped with a sponge that is soaked with the necessary herbicide. This is a low impact treatment method and does not kill or disturb the plants adjoining it, however, its use depends on how big the area of knotweed is.

Japanese Knotweed Pontypridd Bund/Stockpiling Method

Bund/Stockpiling Method is a blended treatment making use of stem-injection or foliar application, followed by excavating the underground material and removing the soil and material to a different location in which the emergence of ‘new shoots’ can be subjected to additional herbicide application. This process is used on sites where you need the removal of the knotweed to be quick and not done over several seasons so is consequently specifically good for building plots and development sites as work can proceed immediately.

Japanese Knotweed Pontypridd Cell Burial/Root Barrier Method

Cell Burial/Root Barrier Method is a treatment employed if you have adequate space on site to make a cell burial or making use of a root barrier to avert the considerable expenses of transporting the soil and waste to landfill. Cell burial buries the Knotweed waste to a minimum depth, or if encapsulated within a geo-membrane it can be closer to the surface of the ground. Root barriers can be installed both vertically and horizontally when there is a threat of cross-boundary contamination. Again, an approach quite often suited for development sites when development work has to start quickly.

Japanese Knotweed Pontypridd Excavation & Removal Off-Site

Excavation & Removal Off-Site is a legitimate and quick control option which has its advantages for development sites if performed correctly, having said that, a great deal of Knotweeds Professionals aren’t advocates of it as it raises substantial logistical difficulties safely removing the weed without it spreading. The challenges are the risk of the Knotweed spreading plus the cost to securely transport the material to a designated landfill site. There is also a considerable duty of care requirements under the Environmental Protection Act( EPA ) 1990. To conclude Excavation & Removal should only be used as an absolute last measure.

Is Knotweed Harmful to Dogs, Cats and Humans?

Essentially, Japanese Knotweed is not poisonous and harmful to dogs, cats, people or any other animals like some other extremely invasive plants. It is not harmful to touch, nevertheless, always use extreme care when near it to avoid inadvertently allowing it to spread.

Japanese Knotweed may be referred to as ‘poisonous’ by developers and property owners due to the highly invasive growth, ability to spread from a tiny particle left and how difficult it is to eliminate fully.

Some Knotweed Myths

• “It will grow through solid concrete”
• “It will destabilise foundations”
• “It will cause structural damage”
• Property affected by Japanese Knotweed is not mortgageable

Essentially, if the previous groundwork or construction has been carried out to a sufficient standard then Knotweed will not grow ‘through solid concrete’, won’t destabilise solid foundations and it is highly, highly unlikely to ‘cause’ structural damage. In fact, these claims are deceptive, to say the least, and in many cases, completely false.

However, in certain situations, if the foundations or concrete are old, poorly built and have pre-existing cracks or fractures within, then Knotweed will certainly manipulate any weak point in its search for light and water and will rapidly establish itself, whilst exacerbating the original fracture and possibly cause the structure to disintegrate.

Green Leaf Remediation Specialists covers the whole of South Wales (including Swansea, Cardiff and Newport), West Wales up to North Ceredigion & Powys and throughout South Glamorgan & Gwent. We also carry out contracts in the West Country, as far North as Shropshire and into the Midlands and Birmingham areas.

We are a fully qualified Japanese Knotweed Certificated Surveyor (JKCS) and a family run business We specialise in controlling Japanese Knotweed, other invasive plant species and ‘general nuisance weeds’ which are found in the UK for residential premises and land development sites.

We also provide tree services, such as pollarding, crowning, pruning, felling, through our NPTC chainsaw operators, all of whom possess a vast amount of experience in the forestry industry.

Our Qualifications & Accreditations

• City & Guilds NPTC Level 2
• Principles of Safe Handling & Application of Pesticides (PA1/ PA6)
• Principles of Safe Handling & Application of Pesticides near water (PA6AW)
• Herbicide Stem Injection
• Property Care Association
• The Control & Eradication of Japanese Knotweed Surveyor’s Training Course
• Qualified Technician (PCAQT) in Japanese Knotweed
• Accredited Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed

While there are several contractors who operate within the United Kingdom weed control industry who definitely are legitimate, knowledgeable and thorough experts, you will find there are plenty of businesses who claim to have the experience, qualifications and accreditations to ‘eradicate’/ ‘eliminate’ Japanese Knotweed at a low cost. However, we would advise you to exercise caution and to ensure that the contractor/ company you enlist to carry out the control programme are qualified to do so and that they comply with the industry codes of practice.

Green Leaf Remediation provides solutions for the treatment and management of Japanese Knotweed Pontypridd and the surrounding areas. Contact us on 01269 591651 or 07531142316 and one of our experts will be able to answer any queries you might have and can arrange a site visit to assess if you have knotweed and what our recommendations are for removal and control.