Just a little comment here...If you do cut it it does have to be disposed of in the proper manner or you can be fined. Also anything you chop that hits the ground will try and grow again.
addict, what do you suggest is the proper manner? Certainly not with the green waste if you think it grows from cut down stems. Does it? I know it will re-grow from every little bit of root left in the ground. Roots must never be put in with green waste.
I think it is pretty inert once it has completely dried out. Perhaps it could be laid on concrete until absolutely dead.
...."It spreads through its crown, rhizome (underground stem) and stem segments, rather than its seeds. The weed can grow a metre in a month and can cause heave below concrete and tarmac, coming up through the resulting cracks and damaging buildings and roads. Studies have shown that a 1cm section of rhizome can produce a new plant in 10 days. Rhizome segments can remain dormant in soil for twenty years before producing new plants.".....
...."Environmental Protection Act 1990 Japanese Knotweed is classed as ‘controlled waste’ and as such must be disposed of safely at a licensed landfill site according to the Environmental Protection Act (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991. Soil containing rhizome material can be regarded as contaminated and, if taken off a site, must be disposed of at a suitably licensed landfill site and buried to a depth of at least 5 m.".....
Gail would it be worth asking a few of the neighbours to make a little statement to the effect that they knew there was knotweed and so did the vendor? Perhaps ask your solicitor if this would be useful first. If they knew it was there then you have some comeback at least. The country programme we have up here called 'Landward'had anarticle on knotweed recently and they were injecting the stems with glyphosate.
Good luck with getting a resolution. It's a serious problem which needs addressing properly and estate agents and building surveyors need to get wise too.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Just bought a house with knotweed and as the lawn was badly overgrown it is clear that the vendor probably didn't know. Neighbours have I too but didn't know what it was til I pointed it out. I blasted mine with sbk all last year and it is growing back again. Apparently it will take a few seasons and the domestic weed killer is probably not strong enough. I asked a Japanese friend who said that I could concrete over it but it would grow sideways and who knows where that would come up.... And I would be liable.... So I will keep going with the weedkiller... May take several years so patience is needed. Damn those silly Victorians for introducing it as an ornamental plant... It looks ugly to me.... They say not to get the dust of the stems on your shoes and get rid of all of the cane by burning. A specialist told me not to cut it as some sites tell you as it encourages the growth. Chemicals are best and injecting the stems shows more success.... Good luck everyone
Posts
Just a little comment here...If you do cut it it does have to be disposed of in the proper manner or you can be fined. Also anything you chop that hits the ground will try and grow again.
And Gail how close is it to your neighbours house? MIght help if you told them that if it gets into their foundations they will have serious problems.
addict, what do you suggest is the proper manner? Certainly not with the green waste if you think it grows from cut down stems. Does it? I know it will re-grow from every little bit of root left in the ground. Roots must never be put in with green waste.
I think it is pretty inert once it has completely dried out. Perhaps it could be laid on concrete until absolutely dead.
...."It spreads through its crown, rhizome (underground stem) and stem segments, rather than its seeds. The weed can grow a metre in a month and can cause heave below concrete and tarmac, coming up through the resulting cracks and damaging buildings and roads. Studies have shown that a 1cm section of rhizome can produce a new plant in 10 days. Rhizome segments can remain dormant in soil for twenty years before producing new plants.".....
...."Environmental Protection Act 1990
Japanese Knotweed is classed as ‘controlled waste’ and as such must be disposed of safely at a licensed landfill site according to the Environmental Protection Act (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991. Soil containing rhizome material can be regarded as contaminated and, if taken off a site, must be disposed of at a suitably licensed landfill site and buried to a depth of at least 5 m.".....
You can always eat it. Tastes like rhubarb, apparently......
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/sussex/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8634000/8634285.stm
Gail would it be worth asking a few of the neighbours to make a little statement to the effect that they knew there was knotweed and so did the vendor? Perhaps ask your solicitor if this would be useful first. If they knew it was there then you have some comeback at least. The country programme we have up here called 'Landward'had anarticle on knotweed recently and they were injecting the stems with glyphosate.
Good luck with getting a resolution. It's a serious problem which needs addressing properly and estate agents and building surveyors need to get wise too.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Dont you have to notify DEFRA when you find knotweed? with grid reference.
On the plus side i have heard it is good for making bee homes,instead of
using bamboo!
Unfortunately not Patty. Not classed as a notifiable weed just have to dispose of it properly.
Just bought a house with knotweed and as the lawn was badly overgrown it is clear that the vendor probably didn't know. Neighbours have I too but didn't know what it was til I pointed it out. I blasted mine with sbk all last year and it is growing back again. Apparently it will take a few seasons and the domestic weed killer is probably not strong enough. I asked a Japanese friend who said that I could concrete over it but it would grow sideways and who knows where that would come up.... And I would be liable.... So I will keep going with the weedkiller... May take several years so patience is needed. Damn those silly Victorians for introducing it as an ornamental plant... It looks ugly to me.... They say not to get the dust of the stems on your shoes and get rid of all of the cane by burning. A specialist told me not to cut it as some sites tell you as it encourages the growth. Chemicals are best and injecting the stems shows more success.... Good luck everyone
The vendor probably let the grass grow to hide the knotweed. Or am I too cynical?
The best time to inject glyphosate into the stems is, apparently in September before it dies down for the winter.