Japanese Knotweed Treatment Methods in Newport, South Wales
Have you got, or do you think you may have Japanese Knotweed? This will result in a lot of stress and worry. Don’t lose hope! Green Leaf Remediation supply solutions through South Wales, which includes Newport, for the identification, remedy and when required the removing of knotweed. If you would like advice or to request a visit, you should telephone on 01269 591651
Knotweed (Fallopia Japonica)
Just what is Knotweed?
Knotweed is an intrusive weed which is a plant from the dock family and it generally has sheaths where the leaves join the stems.
Japanese Knotweed is a hugely invasive plant that can mature speedily, overpowering other vegetation close to if it is left to its own devices. Knotweed is challenging to remove and its existence on or in close proximity to a property could have an effect on home sales, purchases and bring about unforeseen expenses.
Knotweed features a really extensive and also sturdy root system. The roots can develop to 3-metres down in the soil and 7-metres wide and upwards. It grows quickly, at a rate of greater than a metre per week. The roots may affect established constructions making it difficult to build foundations and incorporate drain systems into the ground however it doesn’t grow through solid concrete.
It is extremely challenging to eradicate 100 percent of the roots effectively and when a small piece of its grass root isn’t thoroughly taken away, it is going to quickly re-grow and spread.
Knotweed is known to target weak points, such as cracks in masonry, and can be persistent in growing through them if not removed.
Where did Japanese Knotweed originate?
A Dutch physician named Phillipe von Siebold came to the British Isles in the late 1840’s and began selling Japanese Knotweed to botanical gardens and high society figures.
A Brief History of Knotweed
By 1869 it became readily available for general sale in the UK and farmers began to use it as feed for their animals. Through the late nineteenth century, gardeners encouraged people to purchase and grow knotweed in their gardens to bring a little greenery. Little did they know the harmful consequences knotweed could have from their rapid growth and plant’s roots.
The issue of it being commonly introduced to a house or community landscapes led to it spreading speedily and growing in the wild. By the 1930’s the consequences and effect of knotweed began to be realised and its popularity for being a wonderful evergreen plant swiftly reseeded. Its invasive nature, roots and ability to spread and establish instantly were starting to show.
In the Wintertime knotweed dies back to ground level but in the early summer season, the bamboo-like stems emerge from rhizomes deep underground to shoot to around 7ft high, whilst suppressing all the other plant growth below and over the surface.
The Wildlife and Country Act made it an offence to introduce Japanese Knotweed into wild areas three decades ago and by 1998 a survey showed that the weed-covered an enormous area of 99 hectares within the Swansea region alone.
In 2011 aphids were introduced in Swansea to try and get rid of the widespread knotweed however it didn’t have the result that was desired. An aphid is a small insect which feeds by sucking sap from vegetation; a blackfly or greenfly. Aphids reproduce speedily, at times producing live young without mating, and enormous numbers can cause extensive damage to everyday native and wild crops.
Since this time, the government is still baffled for a way to properly control knotweed in the UK, so there are now businesses that specialise in removing knotweed.
Are there any benefits of Knotweed?
A number of people believe that there are some health benefits from Japanese knotweed, which includes; its capacity to reduce and treat cognitive disorders, improve heart health, decrease your risk of most cancers, decrease digestive distress, reduce blood pressure, maintain proper levels of insulin, and many more.
Can you get a mortgage on a property with Knotweed?
It’s not impossible to get home financing on a house with knotweed, having said that, lenders are invariably extremely cautious because of its capability to disperse rapidly. Moreover, buyers and lenders are not surprisingly sceptical when it comes to investing in a property or land in which knotweed is present. South Wales Knotweed can help you get over any issues with mortgage lenders.
Home Owners Insurance and Cross-Boundary Challenges
Insurance for a property with knotweed can be very troublesome.
Most buildings insurance policies do not cover you for destruction brought on by knotweed. If your neighbour has knotweed and your property is affected by it, most insurers will certainly pursue others for the expense of the destruction brought about to your building.
The hapless predicament of homeowners experiencing problems in marketing their home, as a result of knotweed infestation on nearby land has become more and more widespread in recent years and it ordinarily falls within the realms of risk category 3 to 4. It could turn into a difficult scenario and has been the fundamental cause of acrimonious and continuous neighbourhood disagreements.
Although there are regulations which can be pursued to encourage the landowner in which the infestation lies, into arranging remedial work, in truth the regulations is pretty weak and definitely was not launched by the British government with the problem of Japanese Knotweed at the forefront.
In conclusion, we advise you to be very cautious if you’re planning on purchasing property or land in which knotweed is identified. Charges to get rid of knotweed can escalate and the whole removal is not always guaranteed due to its capacity to propagate from one very small root and its rapid growth.
Knotweed Myths, Misconceptions and Facts
There are numerous misconceptions about tips on how to eradicate Japanese Knotweed and what the very best strategy to adopt is. Pouring sea salt, diesel, caustic soda, turpentine, fairy liquid on the plant or into the soil are just some of the most popular myths which seem to have gathered impetus over the years.
The following claims are NOT correct:
- It will grow through solid cement
- It could destabilise foundations
- It can cause structural damage
- Knotweed can damage properties particularly if left to grow unhindered for a number of years
- This invasive plant could have this type of dramatic effect on buildings, foundations and concrete
Essentially, if groundwork and construction work has been implemented to a decent standard in the past, then knotweed won’t grow ‘through solid concrete’, it will not destabilise strong foundations, it won’t lead to structural damage, it won’t ‘damage buildings’ and it won’t have a dramatic impact on any ‘solid structure’. These statements are deceiving and in many cases, false.
The real truth about knotweed is that is a wild plant and yes it will grow and spreads very quickly overpowering other plants and flowers around it.
About Green Leaf Remediation
We’re the local family- run, Invasive Weed Management company, supplying a professional and reputable service. We started in 2013 by Carwyn Templeton, a fully qualified Japanese Knotweed Certificated Surveyor (JKCS) through the Property Care Association.
We principally specialise in eliminating Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia Japonica), along with other intrusive plant varieties and ‘general nuisance weeds’ found in the United Kingdom. We provide our expertise for non-commercial property and land reserved for housing and business-oriented development.
Knotweed Legal Guidelines
There is lots of legislation covering the handling and disposal of Japanese Knotweed and we are industry experts in this area, constantly providing you guidance on the best solution for your home or land.
Our knotweed treatment solutions are approved by the Environment Agency Codes of Practice and also the industry trade body/ The Property Care Association which can be tailored to suit you as the client.
Our Knotweed Control and Removal Methods
There are many strategies to manage and remove knotweed and you should always use a professional and qualified business who understand fully the mind- field of legal guidelines and techniques that should be utilised.
Stem-Injection
Stem- injection is a low impact method of removing knotweed. It is normally used for smaller contaminations and is also employed in the event the knotweed has established itself amongst other plants that you won’t want to be removed as there is less likelihood of damaging surrounding vegetation. It can also be used in places that there’s a watercourse on account of it being a much less risky method of removal. The stem-injection procedure can be performed in dry or inclement weather and the soil needs to remain undisturbed following a treatment.
Foliar Application
Foliar Application is a spray method of knotweed removal and it is used when the treatment method may be repeated over several of its growing seasons. The knotweed is sprayed by having an approved herbicide and the operation is carried out 2 to 3 times in the first year depending on the size of the knotweed and then once in the next year. The process should be completed in dry weather and also the soil undisturbed in subsequent years.
Weed Wiping
The Weed wiping strategy can be achieved in areas where there are other plants and flowers that you won’t want to be affected, just like the Stem- injection solution. The knotweed foliage is wiped with a sponge or cloth soaked with a suitable herbicide that means only they are harmed.
Bund/Stockpiling
Bund or stockpiling is a blended treatment of stem- injection or foliar application which is followed by excavation of the underground material and removal of the garden soil to a different section of the site. The newest shoots that appear will be subjected to additional herbicide application. This process of elimination is faster as opposed to more commonly employed approaches that are continued on a yearly basis and when performed correctly it enables a developer to start using the land more quickly.
Cell Burial/Root Barrier
Cell Burial or making use of a Root Barrier will avert the significant charges of transporting the knotweed soil and waste to landfill, however, the site must be adequate enough for the knotweed substance to be buried to a minimum depth or, if encapsulated inside a geomembrane, it can be buried closer to the surface. Root barriers may be installed both vertically and horizontally and this strategy is employed when there is a threat of cross-boundary contamination.
Excavation & Removal Off Site
Excavation & Removal of knotweed material off-site is a legitimate and fast management alternative. It has its advantages for development sites when done efficiently, however, the significant logistical difficulties of this method are challenging. There is a high risk of the knotweed spreading and therefore results in the secure movement of the material to landfill being very expensive. There’s a substantial duty of care required under the Environmental Protection Act( EPA ) 1990 using this type of technique of removal. We are prepared to operate in a consultancy role as clerk of the works for this technique of removal, providing certain conditions are satisfied with the landowner or builder. We always advise that the Excavation & Removal approach should only be used as an absolute last resort.
All of these treatment and elimination services are available to homes, businesses and properties. We will consider a staggered repayment schedule for any work that doesn’t involve a third party, and for customers who want proof of prepayment in full from the outset from their mortgage companies.
For additional information or if you have any questions regarding knotweed removal in Newport, contact us on 01269 591651 and our professional team will be happy to assist.
