Treatment of Japanese Knotweed Bridgwater from Green Leaf Remediation & Removal

Japanese Knotweed is a perennial weed that will grow and propagates quickly if not managed correctly and effectively. The weed suppresses other plants and flowers growing around it from its crown and rhizomes (root system) that spread quickly and 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. Green Leaf Remediation & Removal offers Japanese Knotweed Removal Bridgwater and we have the experience, qualifications and know-how to ensure the method we use is right for your property and needs and will be highly effective.

There is lots of information around that say you can kill the roots with chemicals, however, you will need an NPTC qualified person or company to use any chemicals and this is as a result of new legislation which covers the control and removal of Japanese Knotweed. There are plenty of myths that say you are able to remove Knotweed by digging it up, however, it is an extremely hard and complicated process to remove it and usually, not successful unless you work with a Knotweed Professional who has the experience and qualifications to effectively remove it.

Japanese Knotweed’s Growing Season

In the peak of its growing season, 60% of a Knotweed’s roots are below ground making removal very difficult. It also spreads wildly from one tiny fragment of crown or rhizome so digging it up or even touching it can cause it to spread quickly. Removing Knotweed 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 different methods of removing and controlling Knotweed and a Knotweed Professional like ourselves will be able to give you advice on the best and most efficient approach which is dependent on your property and needs. Green Leaf Remediation & Removal are qualified and insured to carry out all of the professional Knotweed services and we have the knowledge and experience to assess which method will best suit the site conditions and its use.

Japanese Knotweed Bridgwater Stem-Injection

This is known as one of the low impact ways of removing and there is minimal potential of disturbing or killing the plants growing around the weed. The stem-injection method is generally used for smaller areas of Knotweed growth where it has established itself among plants and vegetation that you would like to keep. It is also an approach normally used when Knotweed is near a watercourse as the chemicals will not run into the water and polluting it. The stem-injection process works very well in dry or inclement weather conditions but the soil cannot be disturbed following a treatment.

Japanese Knotweed Bridgwater Foliar Spray Application

It is frequently used and is among the most favourable control strategies along with the stem-injection method. The process is 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, again, the soil has to remain undisturbed in subsequent years to be effective.

Japanese Knotweed Bridgwater Weed Wiping Method

This is when the leaves of the plant are wiped with a sponge soaked with the required herbicide. It 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. This method can also be used when near a watercourse as there is little chance of any of the chemicals polluting the water.

Japanese Knotweed Bridgwater Bund/Stockpiling Method

It is a blended treatment that makes use of the stem-injection or foliar application, followed by the underground material being excavated and moved to a different location on site. The emergence of ‘new shoots’ is then subjected to an additional herbicide application. This process is used on sites when the removal of the knotweed needs to be quick and not carried out over several seasons so subsequently is specifically good for building and development sites as work on-site can proceed immediately.

Japanese Knotweed Bridgwater Cell Burial/Root Barrier Method

It is a treatment used if you have enough space on-site to make a cell burial or use of a root barrier to avert the considerable expense of transporting the Knotweed 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, it is a removal approach often suited for development sites when development work needs to start quickly.

Japanese Knotweed Bridgwater Excavation & Removal Off-Site

It is a legitimate and quick control option that has its advantages for development sites if performed correctly and by a Knotweed specialist. There are many Knotweed Professionals who aren’t advocates of it as it raises significant logistical difficulties to safely remove the weed without it spreading. The challenges are the risk of it spreading as well as the cost to securely transport the material to a designated landfill site. There is also the considerable duty of care requirements under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990. This method of removal should only ever be used as an absolute last measure.

Is Knotweed Harmful?

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

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

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“

Knotweed Facts

It will not grow through solid and stable concrete

It will not destabilise solid foundations

It will not cause structural damage if the concrete and foundations are solid

There are certain mortgage companies that will offer a mortgage on a property that has Knotweed

However, if foundations, concrete or pipework are not solid, are old or have cracks then Knotweed will certainly use any weak point in its search for light and water and will rapidly establish itself, whilst exacerbating the original fracture and possibly causing more damage and these are where the myths have originated from.

About Japanese Knotweed Removal South West

Green Leaf Remediation & Removal Specialists covers the whole of South West and some of the M4 Corridor. We also carry out contracts in the West Country, as far North as Shropshire and into the Midlands and Birmingham areas.

We are a family run business and we are extremely proud of the services we offer. We are a fully qualified Japanese Knotweed Certificated Surveyor (JKCS) and we specialise in removing and controlling Japanese Knotweed, other invasive plant species and ‘general nuisance weeds’ which are found in the UK for residential properties and 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

There are plenty of businesses in the UK who claim to have the experience, qualifications and accreditations to eradicate Japanese Knotweed, however, we always advise you to exercise caution and to ensure that the contractor or company you are using to carry out your Knotweed control programme are qualified to do so and that they comply with the industry codes of practice.

Green Leaf Remediation & Removal provides solutions for the treatment and management of Japanese Knotweed Bridgwater and the surrounding areas. Contact us on 0117 321 7799 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.