What’s the point…?

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

I have been finding more and more people saying with reference to eradicating invasive plants … ‘What’s the point?’

Well it’s not just for us is it – this planet of ours? Maybe we should start thinking a little bigger, maybe look at the broader picture and think of future generations?

If you don’t have children and you aren’t interested then stop reading now.

If however you do have children and you do give a monkeys then read on.

The longer we leave these Invasive Non Native Species the harder it will be to get rid of them so we need to start NOW!

We need to establish some protocols by which we all manage these ‘invasions’. I was massively disappointed that Government legislation was not reviewed at the time of the Psyllid Aphid release. The department involved decided that any changes to legislation would be ‘unfair’ and difficult to enforce.

Er why?

The people that we see miss-managing their invasive weeds are generally the owners of large areas of land with huge amounts of money. A bit more legislation would do them a power of good and encourage a more pro active attitude.

The British Countryside is not going to look after itself – and without protection it will disappear. Personally I would prefer my grandchildren to see bluebells and native wildflowers, not plants more at home in the Himalayas or Japan.

Uuuurrrgh – nasty.

Mike C

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How Many More Have to die….?

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

If you listen really carefully you can hear a plant scream when it’s pulled out of the ground. If you believe that then what must the noise be like as Japanese Knotweed tramples its way through every native species in its way…!

Don’t be mistaken these Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) are killing our native plants just as blatantly as a chemical attack by a miss guided eradication company. Spreading as much as 20 metres in all directions per season (Himalayan balsam) WILL grow to the preclusion of all of our native plants.

Nothing grows under these plants and nothing grows above them – nothing feeds on them and they provide no benefit to their surroundings.

Nature when in balance is a wonderful relationship. Woodland is a complex succession of various grasses, shrubs and trees resulting in a network of interlaced leaves all sharing light and moisture. Grassland and waterside plants have complex relationships which leave the waters edge held together during times of flood.

If you disturb either of these complex relationships then the balance shifts and havoc results.

Woodland habitats disturbed by mass influx of Japanese Knotweed can be exposed to storm damage when over winter high winds damage trees suddenly exposed as the knotweed loses its leaves. River habitats can be ruined when over winter Himalayan balsam dies back exposing bare banks to erosion.

So next time you are out and about – stop and listen for screaming plants – and maybe try and do something to save our British Countryside…!

Mike C

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Invasive Species Vector New Diseases…

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

Apparently not only do invasive species disrupt and change biodiversity they can also bring some unwanted nasty diseases. I am embarrassed to say that until recently even I was not fully aware of the issues caused by invasive species harbouring disease.

The Phytophthora pathogen or ‘sudden oak death’ as it is known - is suggested to have been moved around the country on ornamental plants imported from Europe. The huge growth of Rhododendron through some of our forestry sites is said to have encouraged the spread of the disease to such an extent that it is almost unmanageable.

I am again feeling guilty in that as a Mountain Biker I may have encouraged this spread by unwittingly moving the spores by casual cleaning of mud covered bikes and boots after cycling along forest paths.

When even professionals such as myself aren’t ware of these issues how on earth can we ever get to grips with educating the general public?

With climate change and reduced budgets for plant management we may be in for some serious changes in our future landscapes.

Mike C

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Don’t Kuddle the Kudzu

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

As usual America has to have something bigger and better – but a plant with a worse reputation than Japanese Knotweed is that possible you ask?

The Kudzu vine was introduced to America from South East Asia in the 1870’s. As is typical of these plant introductions - it was initially planted in ornamental and display gardens. Then it was recommended as a forage crop for cattle – then it used to help soil control and management of erosion…

Within a few years its advance was unstoppable!

At the height of its growing cycle it can put on a foot of new growth in 12 hours. Disused buildings can disappear, abandoned cars become a green lump in the landscape and native vegetation is lost under a dense carpet of weed. It will climb and cover native trees and can reach a height of ninety feet at which point the trees that are covered by it will begin to die.

Nothing competes with it and nothing can out grow it – so currently it marches forward – becoming dominant it whatever situation it finds itself in.

The American South kudzu now covers 2 million acres of forest land and has been officially outlawed by the US Department of Agriculture.

Mike C

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What photos….?

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

I fully understand that me saying ‘Please include photos’ with any new enquiry does not give any specific guidelines about what we actually need from a photo. So I thought I’d give a little advice.

The best photos I have received are ones which show the full JK infestation area. You should ideally be able to show us an idea of size, so the JK near a house or easily measurable object, any photos of what the JK is near that could be an issue for removal – such as trees, or an adjacent piece of land that it might be encroaching onto, and any photos showing how to get to the JK – this is useful when trying to price for excavation for instance. About 5 photos is a good number!

I’m basically saying don’t send me a photo of a leaf from your JK, or something blurry where you can’t tell the JK from the ground it sits on.

The same applies if you want a quote for removal of Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam, Ragwort or any other invasive! Please make sure that for any invasive species that it is easily spotted if it is growing amongst other plants.

I know taking photos is time consuming, but it is even more time consuming for us to chase clients for photos, when all we want to do is provide you with an accurate quote, which will hopefully avoid any issues later if we have to re-quote you should the information you give us be insufficient or incorrect.

It will save you time – and money!

Jamie C

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Some Plants Just Can’t be IGNORED

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

As usual just when a subject begins to get a voice, just as people begin to listen – somebody has to fire up with an alternate view! The current vogue in ‘weed’ management is to argue that these plants aren’t a problem and why are we concerned.

Well – in many ways I agree – if you approach the problem from an educated point of view, then many ‘weeds’ are not worth getting too concerned about.

However, unfortunately most people who read the headlines – ‘Weeds aren’t really a Problem’ – will never get beyond that basic premise.

We need more ‘weed’ education!

We need children at an early age to recognise what plants are a problem, what plants will sting and burn – which plants are native and which are alien species. We need adults to be more weed aware so that they know what should be treated as a problem in the garden and which can be ignored.

Again I mention my Dad (he never reads this so it’s ok) but he was a great inspiration to me as a child as we walked around he explained what plants were, and where they came from – as well as identifying every bird and animal that we came across. I’m not sure this happens any more?

I’m all for reasoned argument and I don’t mind people having alternate views – but I do strongly believe though that there are some plants that just cant be ignored and shouldn’t be welcomed with open arms!

Mike C

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The X Factor…!

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

I’m often asked ‘what is it about Japanese Knotweed that makes it so special’ what gives it ‘the X factor’.

Well if Cheryl and Simon and Louis were interviewing Japanese Knotweed they would soon see why!

So Mr Knotweed why do you think you deserve the title Britain’s Worst Weed…?

Well I can grow from a piece as small as a fingernail, any part of my body can create a new colony of knotweed, I can spread roughly 7 metres in all directions form my surface growth, and have been known to grow through pretty much anything to get where I want to grow…

OK Mr Ragwort what makes you so special?

Well I can kill anything that eats me (apart from those caterpillars from that Cinnabar moth)

Over to you Giant Hogweed – what’s your trick?

Well Simon – I can produce thousands of fertile seeds every year and my stem and leaves will burn your skin of you brush past me…

…and finally Mr Himalayan balsam – what are you going to do for us?

I’m really beautiful and produce loads of flowers, I also spread really, really quickly – sometimes as much as 20 metres in one season…and I have an explosive seed head which fires my seeds away from my stem…

A difficult choice then – but in every situation the one that you don’t want to find performing on your land is Japanese Knotweed!

The legislation and regulations surrounding treatment of Japanese Knotweed are so onerous that the cost implications make it by far Britain’s Worst Weed.

Mike C

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Haircut Sir?

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

My Dad used to go down to barbers every week and get his hair trimmed around ‘the edges’.

He used to explain that if you keep the edges neat than the rest would look after itself. This is a pretty good way of thinking about your invasive weeds.

With Japanese Knotweed no-one can actually make you do anything about it providing its within your site boundary. So if you keep your site ‘edges’ under control then you shouldn’t get into trouble with your neighbours or the law. If Japanese Knotweed does get outside of your boundary and encroaches onto your next doors property then you can be sued under laws relating to private nuisance – this can be very costly.

Obviously given that Knotweed can grow 7 metres per annum in every direction with its surface growth this may be more difficult than you imagine…!

Land can be an investment and can be something of an asset – but if not looked after it can also become a liability.

So think about your edges and think about keeping an eye on what is growing within your site boundaries. If left neglected invasive weeds will become rampant and can soon become very costly to remove.

Think about the old saying ‘one years seeding is seven years weeding’…

Mike C

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Geography – Room 26

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

I’ve remembered where my obsession with invasive non-native species started!

It was at Glossop School, Room 26 and it was Geography….the teacher was prattling on about climate this and meandering that – when suddenly my ears pricked up…

He started to talk about a plant that had hitched a ride on planes from America (pretty cool) then had spread along railway lines being carried on the wheels of the steam locomotives…

The plant he was talking about was Rosebay Willowherb – (Epilobium angustifolium) – this was a forerunner of Japanese Knotweed and became well known initially because of its red stems and abundant clouds of seed that it produces which made it highly visible.

The plant thrived on bare ground and took advantage of burnt areas adjacent to railway lines where sparks had caused grass to catch fire. The plant became known as Fireweed and also thrived during wartime in areas damaged by bombs – with huge swathes becoming established in London.

This is a good time of year to look out for this plant as it is currently in flower and getting ready to produce its seeds. It is not as problematic as Japanese Knotweed and will not cause damage to hard surfaces or structures – but once you have spotted it you will be amazed at how much there is of the stuff!

So despite spending most of my Geography lesson trying to look up Pauline Cuddy’s skirt – I did actually learn something!

Mike C

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Lawnmower Man

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Have you ever noticed how when you go away on holiday – by the time you get back you lawn is like a jungle!

Well imagine what is happening to the verges and unkempt pieces of land that are now not being maintained due to Government cutbacks.

Can you imagine trying to get your lawn back in shape after years of neglect …not just a couple of weeks?….well that’s going to be the problem that we all face in the next few years…but its not going to be grass that we have to worry about its invasive weeds.

Once Japanese Knotweed/Himalayan balsam/Giant hogweed/Ragwort/Rose-bay Willowherb get a hold there is no stopping them. And it won’t just be a simple lawn mower job to get rid of them – we are going to be trying to resolve these issues for years.

I guess the point im trying to make is – open your eyes – have a look around and notice the encroachment of invasive species on our British landscapes. This is an ideal time of year to spot them – the yellow flower of Ragwort, the red seed heads of Rosebay Willowherb, the huge flowers of Giant Hogweed – all of these plants are massively prominent at this time of year but nobody notices – or if they do they turn a blind eye.

If you do take the time to notice these plants – can I ask that you complain to your Local Authority, write to your MP – if we all turn a blind eye nothing will be done, budgets will continue to be cut ….and we will all lose our wonderful countryside and our British Heritage.

Mike C

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