It’s Enormous…

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Every year I write about Giant Plants that carry poison and can kill you….and every year I get ignored – so here’s this year’s version….

The trouble with a lot of the alien species of plants that have been introduced to the UK is that they are attractive…thus people don’t immediately associate them with being problematic.

Giant Hogweed is a perfect example of a wonderful architectural plant, statuesque, tall, striking, amazing flower head – but the most deadly and dangerous plant growing wild in the UK at present.

At this time of year it’s easy to spot - with its huge flower heads growing two metres tall with the heads being about half a metre across. It is abundant on watercourses and wetlands and is particularly prevalent in town centres and urban areas.

Planted by the Victorians for its architectural features, Giant Hogweed produces thousands of seeds every year and spreads rapidly. Chemical treatment will eventually kill the plant though the area needs to be monitored for several years after treatment to ensure that new growth from seeds is caught before getting established.

The stems and leaves of the plant produce a sticky sap which is poisonous and will cause blistering of the skin in contact. Children are particularly susceptible to the toxins of the plant and every year hundreds of people attend casualty without realising that it is Giant Hogweed that has caused their condition.

For more information please call 0161 723 2000 and ask to speak to Alex Dayes.

Mike C

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Amazing What You Find When You Look!!

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

That was the title of an e-mail sent through to me after a recent seminar in Scotland.

The Surveyor that sent the e-mail had attended a talk on Japanese Knotweed and had thought that he had spotted some new growth in the rear garden of a newly occupied property. He was actually wrong – the plant was broadleaved dock – but the point was …he had noticed!!

The main point that I push when talking about non native species or alien plants – is that they often don’t stand out. IF they were bright red which huge orange flowers that fired poisonous venom at you – then they would be easy to spot…..!

But they aren’t ….Japanese Knotweed often blends into the surrounding landscape with nothing obvious to warn you of its invasive nature. Yes – once you are in the know – you will spot new growth – you will notice the rapidity of its spread…BUT to the average member of the public out for a river side walk – he will be unaware of the problems Japanese Knotweed can cause.

So if nothing else – at least learn to spot the invasive plants – know your weeds!

As we approach winter this does get a little more awkward – Japanese Knotweed loses its leaves – the canes do remain erect during its dormant period, usually 2 metres or so in height with a nutty brown colouration.

If you do spot it over winter just watch how it then grows in Spring…its amazing the rapidity of its spread!

Once you are aware of what the plants look like - then something can be done to sort the problems – if you aren’t even aware that there are problems…..then how are you going to ever resolve the issues?

Mike C

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Wild Trout Trust; Sheffield Rivers Conclave…

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

It never ceases to amaze me what a group of like minded people can do when they put their minds to it!

I also continue to be in awe of the Wild Trout Trust who have such a dedicated team of enthusiasts.

Organised by Paul Gaskell from the Wild Trout Trust as part of the Trout in the Town initiative - the Sheffield Rivers Conclave put together a series of presentations on River Management and Invasive Species awareness (given by yours truly). Additional presentations were given by Denise Ashton on funding and by Gideon Reeve on the Trout in the Classroom initiative.

At the end of it all I found myself wondering what more I could be doing? I feel numb at times from bashing my head against a brick wall - telling people about invasive species when each and every year the problems get worse…

When is somebody going to listen!

Every day I drive past rivers which are being choked to death by Himalayan balsam, Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed…I write letters and nobody responds! I have even offered to have works carried out free of charge - again nobody responds…(so I’m not doing that anymore!)..

I’m thinking maybe we need more legislation??

I’m sorry …but unless something is done the country will be over run…and we won’t have any natural rivers or native vegetation to leave for future generations.

Maybe it’s because we are a ‘want it now’ society and we don’t care about the future??

Well - at least the Trout in the Town project is a little glimmer of light at the end of the invasive weed tunnel. The people who attended the conference listened and seemed to take on board the issues regarding Alien species - so maybe at last I have found my audience.

It’s a start anyway.

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It’s Giant Hogweed time again

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

Just a reminder to all you non horticulture types that we do have the odd dangerous plant to contend with….

Giant Hogweed is really unpleasant - it causes burning and blistering of the skin and in extreme cases can require skin grafts to heal and cover the damage caused.

Planted by the Victorians as an ornamental ‘architectural plant’ this herbaceous perennial spreads rapidly producing masses of seed from enormous floral heads - often up to a metre across. Prevalent in waterside locations and waste ground the spread of the plant over the last few years has been dramatic.

Environment Agency officers do not seem to have the funding to deal with the prolific growth of the plant, therefore each season the problem gets worse.

In Manchester along the River Irwell the growth is particularly dramatic in the centre of town where huge leaf and flower heads overhang some of the more prestigious pathways. Near to the five star Lowry Hotel the river frontage is solid with Giant Hogweed with small sections of Japanese Knotweed for good measure!

Please make sure children are aware of the dangers and if you see the plant stay well away!

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Weed Walks 2009

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

Japanese Knotweed Solutions undertook the first ‘Weed Walk’ of 2009 last week and it was a great success (even if I say so myself!)…

The idea of the ‘Walk’ was to see invasive weeds in their natural (or should that be ‘unnatural’) environment. The feedback that we get from our clients has suggested that even with identification photographs and detailed descriptions some people still have problems identifying plants when they are on site.

It is quite common for people to confuse Japanese Knotweed with Himalayan balsam and to get mixed up with the various forms of Hogweed - particularly in early stages of growth.

Last weeks walk was attended by Local Authorities, Environmental Consultants and Landscape Architects - all of whom benefited from hands on identification of the various stages of plant growth enabling them to identify the various invasive weeds easily.

Discussion centred on management issues and funding with the main focus being on where money should be best spent - whether to tackle individual areas or providing a covering strategy document. Unfortunately with cut backs to government spending it is difficult to see invasive plants being a priority. This plays right into the hands of the alien species which will continue to spread unchecked without serious action taken to manage and control them.

I feel that the first step to controlling the issue of invasive weeds is to be aware of the problem and to produce survey information detailing where invasive weeds have been spotted. What can be measured can be managed - with a countrywide strategy in place then we can begin to fight back. Currently nobody really understands the scale of the problem therefore no answer can be forthcoming and we all continue plugging away at the problem with small scale control strategies - I feel perhaps we are missing the bigger picture!

The attendees are now aware of the scale of the problems and the complexity in resolving the issues raised! We have started dialogue with several Local Authorities and perhaps something will result if the people holding the purse strings can be made aware of the problems….we shall see??

If you are interested in attending our next ‘Weed Walk’ please contact Helen Todd on 0161 723 2000.

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Keep Britain Tidy! Know your weeds…

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

I was watching the news this morning and noticed a new article on Keeping Britain Tidy. The reporter was walking through a woodland area and highlighting all the cans, crisp packets, traffic cones and general clutter. The conclusion of the section was that we didn’t value our heritage and had no awareness of the impact of our casual attitude to litter had on the environment.

I agree 100% with the reporter - as a keen fly fisherman I visit various rivers and lakes around the country and am amazed that wherever I go you will always find shopping trolleys and street signs in the watercourse. McDonalds wrappers seem indestructible and even with the ban on smoking the volume of fag packets never seems to dwindle.

Along with this casual attitude to litter we have a similar relaxed stance on invasive weeds. If it’s green and grows or has pretty flowers - most people seem to think that its ‘natural’….how wrong can you be!

Perhaps it comes back to education? Shopping trolleys and traffic cones are fairly easy to spot whereas Japanese Knotweed looks like many other plants? (it doesn’t actually..but to the untrained eye…maybe it does?). Maybe we should go back to school (or back to the schools) on this one and try to teach what is or isn’t a native plant?

This may seem a bit over the top? Given that we are now a multicultural society maybe we should just accept the ‘illegal plant aliens’ and adopt them into our native plant lists? Maybe with climate change these alien species are our ‘NEW NATIVE’ plants…..???

However…its not quite as easy as being open minded. I have no problem with a multi-cultural society and am happy to accept the government’s stance on immigration - but plants are very different.

Japanese Knotweed doesn’t come into our country and live happily alongside other plants. It destroys them! Japanese Knotweed will grow to the preclusion of all of our native species…we could end up with single species mono culture stands of nothing but one plant - Japanese Knotweed.

‘Bye-bye’ bluebells, bye bye cowslips, orchids, bulrush, buttercup, daisy…in fact ‘bye-bye’ to anything that gets in its way….

So lets get behind - Keep Britain Tidy - but include within that - lets also Keep Britain’s plants British…Kick out the alien species!!

PS Anyone interested in learning more about alien invasive plants should sign up to our ‘Weed Walks’ - a hands on, learning walk and talk about invasive species scheduled for May June this year - contact Helen Todd 0161 723 2000.

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Take a Walk on the Wild Side!

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

Japanese Knotweed Solutions are encouraging you to get down and dirty!

You will be able to take the opportunity to get hands on with the Uk’s most invasive plant - take on an alien - and win!

In 2009 we will be sending out invitations for customers to join us for walks around brown field sites and river valleys to help you learn about invasive plants and to see first hand the problems that alien species can cause.

You will be helped first hand to identify all the invasive plants that you should be aware of and given opportunity to see how we tackle the treatment issues specific to Japanese Knotweed.

Look out for the invite - anyone not on our database please contact the office on 0161 723 2000 for an invitation.

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Who is Winning?

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

In the battle of the invasive plants we are often told that Japanese Knotweed is being treated at a rate of “10 hectares per season”, whilst also in small print being told that it is unfortunately growing at a rate of “15 hectares” plus per season.

Giant hogweed spreads down the River Irwell in Manchester and nobody notices. Himalayan balsam on the road verges of the M60 is spreading so fast its overtaking the cars…(not that surprising given the traffic is stationary most of the time).

How many of us pass Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed or Japanese Knotweed on our daily commute to work and are so immune that we don’t even register the fantastic growth rate and spread of these plants. Look out of your window next time you are on a train or a tram…scary stuff once you know what you are looking for.

These are NOT native species! They are NOT supposed to be here! They are outgrowing and out competing all our native plants!

If you care about Britain’s countryside do something about it! Ring the Environment Agency, ring DEFRA, ring the Highways Agency, ring your local MP…

I KNOW IT WONT HAPPEN…so the answer unfortunately is…the weeds are winning!

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So invasive weeds? Getting a little ‘old hat’ a little ‘last years news’?

Monday, September 1st, 2008

I have been writing and talking about invasive weeds for seventeen years now and quite honestly at times I feel like a broken record!

Since its introduction to the UK in 1820 JK has proven time and again its ability to massively challenge the British Countryside – I often drive through scenic Derbyshire or Cheshire and make note of new Knotweed infestations, photograph them and send a letter to the local authority (Mr Angry!) – pointing out that it is far easier to kill newly established knotweed than to allow it to establish…

I am yet to get any response as my letters fall on deaf ears…(latest letters have gone to Bakewell, Glossop and Knutsford)

We have looked toward the EA for guidance and leadership with regards invasive weeds, unfortunately this has proved sadly lacking..even on their own projects they still deal with JK and other invasives in a piecemeal fashion.

If you look at the current Code of Practice the EA states that it is: ‘their job to look after your environment and make it a better place – for you, and for future generations’

With reference invasive weeds I would charge them with a massive failure to perform!

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Invasive Weeds – Why should I care?

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

Ever been for a river side walk and enjoyed the flowing water, the scenery, the bluebells, the insect and bird life? Well make the most of it, if Japanese Knotweed carries on spreading at its current rate you wont be able to enjoy the experience for much longer!

JK spreads at a phenomenal rate spreading 7m in all directions per growing season. On local rivers adjacent to our Manchester office you can watch as native flora and fauna disappear under the onslaught of Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed. See Japanese Knotweed on the River Irlam in and around central Manchester, the Giant Hogweed in the frontage of The Lowry Hotel, Giant Hogweed in the Asda car park in Radcliffe!

Please log on and advise of any local infestations and the damage they are causing.

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