JAPANESE KNOTWEED
Figure 1: Initial Knotweed Growth
Figure 2: Zig-zag appearance of the stem
JAPANESE KNOTWEED:
THE SEASON IS UPON US
Early Season Identification
You might have noticed as the
weather improves and the days
become longer, that Japanese
knotweed growing season is upon us.
The emergence of knotweed depends
on the weather, but as a guide, it
starts to appear between March and
April, with shoots that look like red/
purple asparagus spears.
As it grows, the shoots uncurl,
revealing lime-green shovel-shaped
leaves. The stem has the indicative
zig-zig, with visible purple speckles.
The fastest growth-period is during
spring and by late spring, canes can
reach up to 3 metres high.
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Japanese Knotweed:
The Unkillable Thug
Despite claims by some companies,
Japanese knotweed cannot be
killed or eradicated by herbicide
application alone. It can be
controlled via herbicide treatment,
but the only way to eradicate it from
a property is via excavation.
Our excavation methods fully
remove the knotweed from
the ground. Our experts ensure
complete Japanese knotweed
removal, because leaving as little
as 0.7g of rhizome could mean that
knotweed re-grows.
Treatment vs Removal
Treatment of Japanese knotweed
is accomplished through our
Herbicide Treatment Programme
(HTP). An HTP involves methodical
and carefully managed visits where
the correct use of chemical over a
sustained period will exhaust the
plant and prevent the spread of
knotweed. This removes the risk of
damage being caused to property
during the treatment period.
Our HTP is designed to cause
maximum damage to the plant and
achieve effective control in a short
period of time. Suitable herbicides
applied correctly can damage the
knotweed crown and rhizome
significantly enough to eventually
prevent stem re-growth.
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