Knotweed Removal

Japanese Knotweed

This highly invasive Knotweed plant has been around in the Uk since the 19th century. Originally brought in from Japan as an ornamental plant, it has since become a very damaging and unwelcome nuisance. Knotweed infestation has become so widespread that this plant easily damages and smothers our natural flora and fauna. It is capeable of causing river bank erosion which in turn affects the flow of our river courses, leading to possible flooding of surrounding areas.

Japanese knotweed is listed in the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 particularly England, Scotland & Wales; it is an offence to plant this plant or otherwise cause this plant to be able to grow in the wild. It is spread by natural means such as transference by animals & wildlife; run through watercourses; rhizome & stem fragments displaced and also human transference.

It has a propensity for causing structural damage to hard surfaces including brick work, asphalt & drains.

What is it?

The root consists of rhizomes. They can penetrate to a depth of 3m and extend to an area of aprox 7m in radius.
Hollow bamboo like stems
Stems are green with red/purple specks
Grow 2-3m tall creating dense clumps
Green heart/shield shaped leaves
Leaves reaching up to 12cm in length
Creamy flowers on stem tips from August to October
Resulting seeds are sterile
Strain commonly found in the UK is a female only plant

What to do if you think you have Knotweed on yours or adjacent land

Dont panic.
Seek professional advice from a qualified contractor such as ourselves to deal with the problem.
don’t expect a quick fix.

What not to do

Avoid trying to deal with this problem yourself – you run the risk of making it worse.
Do not flail the plant
Don’t try digging up the rhizome. The tiniest of fragments of the rhizome can transfer spread, the rhizome regenerates readily and will grow into new plants
Do not spread contaminated soil as this may contain rhizome fragments
Do not put knotweed through a mechanical chipper – it won’t kill the knotweed
Do not add to compost- you will infect the compost causing new growth when spread.
Do not take Japanese knotweed to green waste sites & Do not dump in the countryside
Remember – it is an offence to cause the spread of Japanese knotweed – Don’t break the law

How Cherry Trees can help you:-

About us-

Cornish company dealing with Japanese Knotweed for 10yrs with exceptional results
Cherry Trees is able to help you take control of this very troublesome plant with an effective eradication programme
We are Cornwall Council Japanese Knotweed Approved Contractors
We keep up to date with the newest techniques & best practices for products and applications
Comply with current legislation – Japanese Knotweed Code of Practice
NPTC qualified operators
Fully insured

What we do

Full initial consultation at site
Tailor made management plan being site specific
Chemical spraying or stem injection or combination of both using herbicides
Treatment usually takes place between April – September
Minimum of 2 sprays per year but preferably 3 applications per year
Treatment taken over 3 years
Monitoring visits

Things to Remember!

We are here to help you!

Be patient AND don’t ignore the problem.

Procrastination may result in litigation and non mortgageable property

Spraying is the most cost effective & efficient method of eradication but it does require several repeated applications over several years to be entirely effective.

The Rhizomes are able to remain viable for several years so professional involvement in this eradication is advised.

Knotweed treatment

Knot weed after one treatment

Identify Knotweed

Observe the scale and height this weed can grow to.

Identify Knotweed

Highly destructive with thick stems the weed can destroy masonry.

Identify Knotweed

An invasive plant, Knotweed can grow through concrete.

Identify Knotweed

A typical knotweed plant, observe the height and dark stem.

tel: 01736 755306