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Japanese knotweed can cause many problems for homeowners, so it’s important to be able to identify it as soon as possible. The early signs of Japanese knotweed are useful in enabling quick action in containment and removal, preventing a total infestation.
In spring, homeowners may notice that plant life is abundant in their gardens. However, they should be aware of and monitor for the presence of Japanese knotweed, a highly invasive perennial species that can grow quickly and has the potential to harm natural areas and aquatic ecosystems.
Top tips to spot Japanese Knotweed
Japanese knotweed is most likely to be seen in gardens during the spring. When looking for it, you should look for the following features;
- New shoots are typically red/purple in colour
- Hollow-stemmed canes (bamboo like) with purple speckles
- Canes of the plant have unrolling leaves that begin to turn green as they grow
- Knotweed shoots in early spring can resemble thick asparagus spears
- Leaves with a zigzagging vein pattern
- The cane reaches 3 meters (10 feet) in height in late spring.
Images of Japanese Knotweed in Spring
What should I do If I think I have Japanese Knotweed in my garden?
Get in touch with us right away on: 0800 689 4146 or submit images of your suspected Japanese Knotweed here for a completely free identification.
It is crucial that any knotweed-looking plants found on your property be examined by an expert and that treatment options be recommended. If you are able to treat a vicious infestation in time, you may still be able to avoid long-term property damage.
By having the suspected Japanese Knotweed identified, you will not only get confirmation of the plant’s identity but also a plan of action that will help you remove it. You should take the steps necessary to avoid the plant becoming an invasive infestation, it can easily destroy a garden, posing threats to the structural integrity of nearby buildings.
How do I remove Japanese Knotweed?
It’s highly recommended you call in professional help to remove Japanese Knotweed. With only a handful of legal procedures available to safely dispose of the plant, making it a difficult task to undertake on your own without prior knowledge. The few legal methods of disposal include burning the rhizome and burying it under membrane or taking it to a certified waste disposal center.
Click here for residential treatments and here for commercial treatments.
It’s a criminal offense to spread Japanese Knotweed in the United Kingdom, and neighbours often pursue legal action when the plant breaches garden borders and causes damage. Professional treatment for Japanese Knotweed can take a matter of weeks, but in some instances, it can span a course of years depending on the size of the infestation and area of land infected.
Removing Japanese Knotweed is not only recommended in most cases, but due to the negative impact it can have on the property value, it’s often a requirement before the sale can go ahead. If you wish to sell a house with an active Japanese Knotweed infestation, you can expect to see about a 20% reduction in value. It is worth taking care of the issue.
Looking at buying a house with Japanese Knotweed? Read our article Should You Buy a House Infested with Japanese Knotweed?
