japanese knotweed

Japanese Knotweed Harrogate

Ashtrees Ltd are experts in the Removal of Japanese Knotweed in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon and across North Yorkshire.

If you have a problem with knotweed or you need advice regarding the control or treatment of knotweed please call us today! 0113 218 8411 and speak to Ashley.

What is Knotweed?

Japanese Knotweed is an invasive weed which grows at a rapid rate. It has creeping roots and is also known as Fallopia japonica, It is a large, herbaceous perennial plant of the family Polygonaceae, native to Eastern Asia in Japan, China and Korea. Amazingly it was brought to the UK because of its beauty, when it flowers it looks to be an attractive plant. This was proven to be a mistake as it is an invasive weed with bamboo like strong roots that can grow upto 7ft.

Japanese Knotweed Treatment Harrogate

You can try and dig knotweed up however this will depend on the scale of the problem. It has very stringy roots & is very likely to grow back.  Digging the knotweed up creates a disposal issue as Japanese knotweed is classed as ‘controlled waste’ under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This requires disposal at licensed landfill sites. Specialist Japanese knotweed contractors are usually licensed to safely remove the weed from site but check first before employing their services. Alternatively, it can be destroyed on site by allowing it to dry out before burning. Japanese Knotweed should NEVER be disposed of in garden waste or at a household waste yard.

Biological Control of Japanese Knotweed North Yorkshire

A plant sucker (psyllid), that is known to feed on the weed is being released in the UK as a biological control for Japanese knotweed in certain areas as a trial to reduce the problem. If successful it will be released more widely and will become widespread in Britain over the next five to ten years by natural spread. This however is a long term potential solution and Japanese Knotweed should not be left to develop.

Japanese Knotweed Removal Costs

We would firstly book a survey in with you to identify the scale of the problem and this would determine the course of action we would need to take. An individual Knotweed Management Plan would then be put in place. The treatment of the knotweed would then commence, this usually spans over several years.

The cost of this treatment would vary by individual case and is probably not as costly as you think. What we would say is don’t ignore the problem, deal with it! Japanese Knotweed grows extremely quickly and if left can create havoc on your land and that of your neighbours. Criminal charges can now be brought against you in circumstances where it can be proved you knew of a problem but did not act on it.

How to identify Japanese Knotweed

Japanese knotweed starts growing from early spring and can reach 1.5m by May and 3m by June, before dying back between September and November.

  • red tinged shoots when it first breaks through the ground
  • large, heart or spade shaped green leaves
  • leaves arranged in a zig-zag pattern along the stem
  • a hollow stem, like bamboo
  • grows in dense clumps that can be several metres deep
  • forms clusters of cream flowers towards the end of July that attract bees
  • would die back between September and November, leaving brown stems

 

What areas do we cover?

We remove and treat Japanese Knotweed throughout Harrogate and the UK. We’re based in Leeds however we travel all over the UK to treat knotweed. We work with Estate Agents, Property Developers, Land Developers, Property Managers, Estate Managers, Local Councils and Private Homes.

If you find you have a problem with Japanese Knotweed and you would like to discuss it, whether you are an individual homeowner or an Estate Manager or Agent Call 0113 2188 411 or fill in our online contact form and we will call you at a convenient time.