Japanese Knotweed Control

Japanese Knotweed is recognised by the Environment Agency as the UK’s most invasive weed species. Due to the invasive nature of Japanese Knotweed the control of Japanese Knotweed is a priority for many land managers. Japanese Knotweed is such a problem due to its ability to grow practically anywhere and everywhere as it has a tolerance of a wide range of soil types, pH and salinity. It also spreads, not through seeds, but by being vegetative, i.e. all new plants are created by fragments of existing foliage and rhizome (root). A tiny fragment of rhizome or stem can grow to form a new plant. Rhizomes can survive temperatures of -35oC and can extend 7 metres horizontally and 3 metres deep. Japanese Knotweed is also extremely aggressive and causes extensive damage to buildings, foundations and roads and therefore can result in costly delays to development projects. It can grow up to 10cm a day which equates to 2.8m a month. Timely and appropriate management of land affected by Japanese Knotweed can avoid excessive cost, potential prosecution and prevent physical damage to buildings and hard surfaces. An important part of Japanese Knotweed control is to establish a considered and comprehensive management programme from the outset of any project.

For more information on Japanese Knotweed Control talk to Sevenoaks Env Consultancy Limited