Japanese Knotweed Stroud

Treatment, Control & Removal by Green Leaf Remediation

1. Do you think you might have Japanese Knotweed Stroud?
2. Have you noticed knotweed at your property or site?
3. Have you read how it is likely to cost you a lot?
4. Have you been told how it could affect the sales of your property?
5. Are you worried it could affect your mortgage?

Please don’t be concerned if you think you have Knotweed in Stroud. Green Leaf Remediation & Removal can provide qualified and expert services for treatment, control and removal. Contact us today on either 0117 321 7799 or 07531142316  and we can answer any questions you have and book in your site survey.

How do you identify Japanese Knotweed Stroud?

• • • It is a persisting weed that will grow and spread quickly if not controlled
    • It is a weed that will take over the other plant life growing around it just from its crown and rhizomes (root system) that spread extensively underground
    • Its shoots die off above ground in the winter months leaving cane-like stalks and re-emerge above ground again in late spring, early summer
    • Any well-established shoots can grow in excess of 9ft high and can colonize the soil within a few years
    • There are articles which say you can remove the roots with chemicals, however, you need an NPTC qualified person to utilise any chemical substances resulting from new legislation which covers the management, and removal of Japanese Knotweed
    • There are plenty of myths around that state you can remove Knotweed by hand, however, it is an extremely difficult and intricate process, in most cases it isn’t successful and you will likely encourage it to spread without realising it unless you use a Knotweed expert like Green Leaf Remediation & Removal
    • In the height of its growing season, 60% of the Knotweed plants roots are underground so removal is incredibly challenging and it spreads wildly from one tiny fragment of crown or rhizome
    • Removing Knotweed without substantial knowledge has a very good probability of distributing the plant to other parts of the soil that have been previously unaffected and it spreading even further

How do you eliminate Knotweed Stroud?

There are many treatments to remove and control Knotweed and an expert like Green Leaf Remediation & Removal can give you advice on the best and most effective procedure.

Japanese Knotweed Stroud Stem-Injection

A low impact way of removing Lnotweed and there is little chance of disturbing or killing the plants growing close to it. The stem injection method is normally used for smaller-sized areas of Knotweed where it has established itself between plants and vegetation that you would like to maintain. The Knotweed has to be established as the stems need to be thick enough to inject. It is an approach frequently used when the Knotweed is near a watercourse as there is little chance of the chemicals escaping into the water. The stem injection technique can be used in dry or inclement weather conditions and the soil cannot be disturbed following a treatment.

Japanese Knotweed Stroud Foliar Spray Application

Often employed and is one of the most favourable control methods alongside stem injection. The process can be used to manage the Knotweed over numerous growing seasons and dependent on the size of the Knotweed area it is normally sprayed 2-3 times in the first year and once in the subsequent years. The chemical used is an Environment Agency-approved herbicide and requires dry weather conditions. The soil has to remain undisturbed in subsequent years to be effective. It is not the best method of treatment if there are plants and foliage growing around it that you want to keep. It can be used on areas of Knotweed close to a watercourse if using a Knotweed specialist.

Japanese Knotweed Stroud Weed Wiping Method

The leaves of the Knotweed are wiped with a sponge that is soaked with the required herbicide which is Environment Agency-approved. It is a low-impact treatment and does not affect the foliage encircling it, even so, its use depends on how big the area of knotweed is. It can be used on Knotweed close to a waterway, it needs dry weather conditions and is treated again in subsequent years.

Japanese Knotweed Stroud Bund/Stockpiling Method

A combined treatment method that uses stem-injection or foliar application, then the Knotweed is dug up and the soil and the weeds are taken to a different location on site where the emergence of ‘new shoots’ can be subjected to additional herbicide application. This process can be used on sites where the removal of the Knotweed needs to be quick and not done over several seasons so is consequently beneficial to building plots and development sites as work can proceed straight away.

Japanese Knotweed Stroud Cell Burial/Root Barrier Method

A treatment utilised if there is adequate space on-site to create a cell burial or root barrier system averting the considerable expenses of transporting the 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 danger of cross-boundary contamination. Again, it is an approach generally suited for development sites when development work needs to start promptly and there is room on site for the waste material to be buried.

Japanese Knotweed Stroud Excavation & Removal Off-Site

A legitimate and swift control option that has its advantages for development sites if performed correctly, however, many Knotweed Specialists aren’t advocates of it because it raises considerable logistical obstacles. The challenges are there is an extremely high risk of the Knotweed spreading whilst it is being moved as well as the cost to securely transport the material to a designated and licensed landfill site. There is also a considerable duty of care required under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990 when moving Knotweed which legally has to be followed. In conclusion, Excavation & Removal must only be used as an absolute last resort

Is Knotweed Harmful?

Essentially, Japanese Knotweed isn’t poisonous and harmful to dogs, cats, people or any other animals like some other invasive plants in the UK. It is not harmful to touch, nonetheless, you should always employ extreme care when in close proximity to it to prevent unintentionally allowing it to spread. Japanese Knotweed is often referred to as ‘poisonous’ by developers and property owners because of its extremely invasive growth, ability to spread from a tiny particle left and how difficult it is to remove entirely.

Common Myths

(some of which are taken advantage of by some contractors for financial gain)

• • • “It will grow through solid concrete”
    • “It will destabilise foundations”
    • “It will cause structural damage”
    • “Property affected by Japanese Knotweed is not mortgageable“

Will Knotweed Grow Through Solid Foundations?

If the previous groundwork or construction is sound with no cracks or damage then Knotweed will not grow through it, therefore, destabilising solid foundations is highly, highly unlikely. In fact, these claims are misleading, to say the least, and perhaps, totally untrue.

Will Knotweed Grow Through Unstable Foundations?

If foundations or concrete are old, inadequately constructed and have cracks or fractures in them, then Knotweed will unquestionably exploit any weakness in its search for light and water and will rapidly establish itself, whilst exacerbating the initial fracture and potentially causing the structure to become unsafe.

 

About Green Leaf Remediation & Removal Specialists

Green Leaf Remediation & Removal Specialists cover Stroud and the whole of the South West and Gloucestershire, we also work as far North as Shropshire and into the Midlands & Birmingham areas.

We are a fully qualified Japanese Knotweed Certificated Surveyor (JKCS) and a family-run business. We specialise in controlling Japanese Knotweed, other invasive plant species and ‘general nuisance weeds’ that are found in the UK for residential premises and land development sites.

We also provide tree services, such as pollarding, crowning, pruning, and felling, through our NPTC chainsaw operators, all of whom possess a vast amount of practical experience within the forestry industry.

We are certified Japanese Knotweed Management Plan (JKMP) Surveyors and we provide a detailed document showing how we, as your Knotweed contractor will use the appropriate methods of treatment to control and remove the Knotweed. It includes information regarding the severity of the Knotweed on-site, an evaluation of the control options available, a detailed assessment of the risks associated with our advised control methods and advice on biosecurity. We update the Japanese Knotweed Management Plan annually following any further treatment & evaluation. Our JKMP plans are supplemented with a 10-year Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) which ‘stay’ with your property meaning if you sell your property it is transferred to any new owners within that 10-year period, irrespective of how many times the property exchanges hands.

Our Japanese Knotweed treatment methods are all endorsed by the Environment Agency Codes of Practice and the industry trade body (The Property Care Association). We are fully qualified through the industry trade body, The Property Care Association (PCA).

We are members of The Property Care Association (PCA) who are the UK’s leading trade association for property care representing specialists within areas such as, damp treatment, domestic ventilation, woodworm/timber decay, structural waterproofing, invasive weed control (including Japanese Knotweed) and flood restoration across the UK. they are the industry voice for the sectors they represent and they work closely with their members, government departments, academic institutions and other industry bodies with the aim of promoting best practice and protecting consumers.

We will consider a staggered payment schedule for any work that does not involve a 3rd party, for anyone who may require evidence of prepayment in full from the outset (mortgage lenders as an example).

Our Qualifications & Accreditations Include:

• • • 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

Call us on 0117 321 7799 or 07531142316 and one of our Knotweed Control & Removal experts will be able to answer any questions you might have and arrange a site visit if you have or think you may have Japanese Knotweed in Stroud.