Japanese knotweed on the March

 

The plant forms dense stands of tall bamboo-like canes which grow to 2.1 metres (7ft) tall, it can devalue land and property and lead to the refusal of mortgages on properties affected by it. Furthermore it can even destroy houses and gardens.

 

The PCA's Invasive Weed Control Group technical manager, Dr Peter Fitzsimons, said that as other plants growth have been delayed by the recent frosts, the weed could take advantage. Speaking to Horticulture Week he said, "Many plants in the UK have been knocked back by late-season frosts and dry weather in April, but the sheer resilience of Japanese knotweed means it will be in a position to come back even stronger. While almost every plant has struggled with the weather conditions, it's likely that this will help the knotweed to dominate even more.

 

Further comment was made that, "When warmer weather and spring rains come along, we are set to see it take off, using its food reserves stored below ground over winter. If it does dominate that means more damage potential and capacity for it to spread."

 

Mr Fitzsimons added, "Currently, the law focuses on landowners to control and remediate Japanese knotweed infestations, particularly near houses, as soon as they come to light."

 

Chief Horticulturalist for the Royal Horticultural Society, Guy Barter, told the press that the weather conditions recently mean that weeds, including knotweed, will spring up as if out of nowhere, explaining, "This is the coldest spring for eight years and all plants are delayed by the cooler air and soil. When the weather finally turns warmer the sun will be high in the sky and the nights even shorter so the heat will be strong – and with much moisture still in the soil from the winter rains plants will grow very rapidly. We expect a flush of weeds every early June and this year it may well be more sudden than usual. This includes Japanese knotweed and other invasive weeds."

 

Removing knotweed can be very difficult, and often requires homeowners to hire professionals to excavate it due to its rhizomes in the ground, as cutting it back simply causes it to spring up again.

 

PM Law 

Sheffield Property Solicitors