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.

Posted in Invasive Weeds Info | 2 Comments »

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!

Posted in Invasive Weeds Info, Japanese Knotweed Info | No Comments »

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.

Posted in Invasive Weeds Info, Japanese Knotweed Info | 4 Comments »

Invasive weeds - who is in control?

Thursday, May 22nd, 2008

Who should you look to for advice about invasive weed problems? A fairly simple question but without straightforward answers:

The obvious answer to who should you look to for advice must be the Environment Agency (EA) – however the Agency’s main remit is flood control and water management: they do not have the funding to allocate huge resource to Invasive Weed Control.

It is a common misconception that if you spot or have Japanese Knotweed (JK) on site you must report it to the EA, this is incorrect. Yes the EA will give you a copy of their Code of Practice and yes they will give advice if you get hold of the right person BUT there is no centralised reporting strategy which gives clear coherent advice on exactly what you should do.

Currently it is not an offence to have JK within your site boundary and nobody can make you do anything about it. It is only when the japanese knotweed grows beyond a site boundary in to adjacent property that the law becomes an issue.

Changes need to be made if ever we are going to control the on going spread of Invasive weeds – those changes need to be lead by the EA who need additional funding and additional power, and supported by established and experienced companies such as Japanese Knotweed Solutions.

Posted in Invasive Weeds Info, Japanese Knotweed Info | No Comments »