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Japanese Knotweed identification

Posted by Richard Thornton on August 20, 2011 at 7:45am in Pesticides

Hi I'm new to the forum, so apologise if this has been discussed before!

 

I have a new client, who, 3 weeks ago moved into a barn conversion with new 'landscaped' garden. Whilst looking at the 'lawn' there are patches of what I am sure are new shoots of JKN, lovely red colour abour 3 inches tall (lawn was laid in may). Having discussed this with the client, they now want a written id by an 'expert' so they can tackle the developer. 

 

Any ideas of who I can approach, client isn't to keen to contact the Council or EA, and having dealt with JKW before I don't want to hand the job to a JKW removal firm. I can only think of the RHS plant ID service?

 

Thanks

 

Richard

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Replies

  • PRO
    Phil Voice August 20, 2011 at 8:17am
    Hi Richard

    Welcome to LJN.

    In the first instance, why not add a photo here on this thread? I'm sure we can collectively identify the problem.
  • Richard Thornton August 20, 2011 at 8:23am

    Heres the wilted and pressed sample I collected on Thursday! Will get some decent pics on wednesday. Larger peice is about 5 inches long.

     


    Photoon20110820at08.20.jpg

  • John Cooke August 20, 2011 at 9:50am

    Am I correct in thinking that, finding JKW is notifiable to the council or EA? and that there are insurance implications for the homeowner?

    Really interested in the outcome of this one: if it is JKW was it in the subsoil? Or in the topsoil put down by the developer? maybe in the turf? 

    Please keep us posted, Richard.

  • PRO
    Gary RK August 20, 2011 at 10:11am

    JKW has heart/shield shaped leaves, bamboo green/red like stems. Also leaves exits at alternate nodes on stem giving a staggered effect. They have whitish clusters of flowers about this time of year.

     

    No, it is not directly notifiable to report it to the EA, but you have a Duty of Care under EPA rules.

     

    An EA Code of Practice exists and can be downloaded from their website

     

    You can be liable if you KNOWINGLY allow it grow outside your property.

     

    You must not transport it outside your property unless certain controls and precautions are in place (classed as a controlled waste).

     

    Also see these posts:

    http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/control-japanese-...

     

    http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2074886%...

     

    Various mortgage companies take differing views on this. It all depends on detail of the Surveyors Report (ie did they see it/find it etc ...)

  • Richard Thornton August 22, 2011 at 3:33pm

    Thanks for the relplies! The problem I have is that it's new growth, there aren't any old canes to examine. But at the rate JKW grows I don't suppose I will have to wait long!

  • Richard Thornton August 25, 2011 at 8:55am

    3314681172?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024I visited my client again yesterday, and as the photos show there has been about 5cm of growth in the last week. The weed is now present throughout the 750m lawn, but none on in the field on the other side of the fence. 

     

    3314681365?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

     

    JKW or not? 

     

    Thanks

    Richard

  • Richard Thornton September 1, 2011 at 9:28pm

    I've had the ID confirmed by the RHS, the client is taking the news well, and has asked me to draw up a method statement to get rid of the knotweed. Many thanks for the replies and info!

     

    Richard

  • Jim Davidson September 1, 2011 at 10:01pm

    If I was your client I think I'd be getting legal with the developer.

     

    Surely they must have some sort of responsability / duty of care ?

  • David Channon September 1, 2011 at 10:16pm

    Stem injections with glyphosate need to be got underway asap so that the plant will move it down to the roots in this growing phase.

    You have a serious problem there which will take years to sort out

  • CJ September 1, 2011 at 10:29pm

    sorry to high jack thread but aunt has what they thought to be japanese knot weed, it has very large stems that seem hollow and have a greeny redish tinge with a few leaves at head could this be the same at a developed stage or something different?

     

    cheers

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