The Emergence of Japanese knotweed

We experienced a fairly mild winter this year, so we expect to see Japanese knotweed emerging 2-3 weeks earlier than usual from its winter dormancy. 

The invasive weed has already been spotted growing in London (which does have a higher ambient temperature than most other parts of the UK) at the beginning of April, with emergence normally expected in mid-April.

Japanese Knotweed is a non-native plant brought to the UK from Japan during the 19^th century as an ornamental and functional plant. It has since been classed as an invasive species that has the potential to damage and devalue homes, with many mortgage lenders refusing to lend on affected property or insisting that a Knotweed Management Plan (KMP) is in place.

Many home owners are not aware of Japanese Knotweed being present on their property until the time comes to sell.  However, there is no need for alarm as there are solutions available and choosing the right remedial process will ensure that any land or building affected by knotweed can be used and developed to its full potential by the home owner.

If knotweed is located within the grounds of the property, is not in close proximity to buildings and/or is not in ground which is planned for disturbance (landscaping or development works), then the most cost effective and recommended solution will be a herbicide treatment programme.

Herbicide treatment 

• Chemical Treatment and Guarantee Programme
• A course of professionally managed and monitored treatments
• 5 Year Plan (minimum recommended term) or 10 Year Plan
• Sustained chemical application over a long term
• Exhausts the plant over time and prevents spread of knotweed

If knotweed is located close to buildings (within a few metres) or in an area where there are plans for disturbance, the recommended solution will be excavation.

Removal by Excavation 

• Complete removal and eradication of knotweed
• Installation of vertical or horizontal root barriers where necessary
• Excavation eliminates any hindrance with development plans
• Accurate identification of knotweed rhizomes reduces volume of waste removal so reduces costs

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Japanese Knotweed Ltd has a long record of successfully working with Home Owners, UK Construction Companies, House Builders, Local Authorities, Housing Associations, Landscape Designers and Contractors, Commercial and Residential Land and Property Owners. We are based throughout the UK, directly employing our surveyors and technicians, ensuring high quality assessments, CAD surveys and remedial services.  Japanese Knotweed Ltd are registered with the Property Care Association, the trade association representing specialists who can be trusted to resolve problems affecting buildings. We have staff qualified with the PCA title of Certified Surveyor Japanese Knotweed (C.S.J.K)

www.japaneseknotweed.co.uk  info@knotweed.co.uk  Tel: 0203 463 2349

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