autumn japanese knotweed

STIRLING JAPANESE KNOTWEED THE ARRIVAL OF AUTUMN

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

With the nights drawing in and a definite autumnal feel to the weather, you will be seeing the change in unmanaged Japanese Knotweed. The white flowers will be starting to shed and you will see the outer and lower leaf’s starting to yellow or brown as the chlorophyll starts to disappear from the leaf. Its an interesting process which we will follow up on soon.

As the leaf dies the nutrients are drawn from the above ground vegetation back down into the roots where they are stored and used during the winter months to keep the roots / rhizomes alive.

This process is why a late autumn application of herbicide can be so effective in the management of Japanese Knotweed. The herbicide is drawn deep into the root network where it can cause the most damage to the rhizomes when this perennial is at its most vulnerable.

KleerKut Solutions – Low cost Japanese Knotweed management.

autumn japanese knotweed flower

DUMBARTON JAPANESE KNOTWEED THE GRAND FINALE

STUNNING END TO THE GROWING SEASON

All issues aside, there is no disputing what a stunning plant species mature knotweed is, especially at this time of year. Without the intervention of trained killers like ourselves, this species works tirelessly all summer to produce stalk and leaf vegetation, extend roots and rhizomes, before putting its final energy into producing these beautiful racemes of white flowers.

Unfortunately, like many white flowers, they are short lived. As soon as they drop the plant will die back into the ground where it will wait, dormant, until the following spring to arrive and then the cycle repeats.

You have to be impressed with the work ethic of this beautiful but highly invasive non native species.

KleerKut Solutions – the Japanese Knotweed Killer

JAPANESE KNOTWEED AND NETWORK RAIL

2 YEARS AFTER THE LANDMARK COURT RULING AGAINST NETWORK RAIL

As many of you know in Sept 2017 there was a landmark successful private prosecution for Nuisance against Network Rail due to loss of value and enjoyment of property affected by Japanese Knotweed originating from NR  land.  Network Rail was ordered to pay damages to the claimants to cover a treatment and cover residual loss in the value of the properties.  

2 years on Network Rail continues to receive complaints in relation to Japanese Knotweed. Over the years they have reportedly received many thousands of complaints in regards to this invasive plant species.

Why is Japanese Knotweed still an issue for Network Rail?

There are many reasons why but the simple answer is the following. Japanese Knotweed is a still a problem for Network Rail because it is still a problem for property and home owners! 8 years after this issue first raised its head, the impact Japanese Knotweed has on the value of homes is now showing the same sort of longevity as the plant species itself.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/network-rail-lets-japanese-knotweed-blight-homes-pqtq5jbj7

Call KleerKut for more information.

Giant Japanese Knotweed Birmingham

TREATING GIANT JAPANESE KNOTWEED IN LOTHIAN

GIANT KNOTWEED NEED NOT BE A GIANT PROBLEM

As we near the end of the growing season Japanese Knotweed specialists are all busy carrying out year end herbicide treatments. Did you know that when eradicating Japanese Knotweed that this is the best time of the year to treat Japanese Knotweed with herbicide?

While herbicide management is undoubtedly best carried out at the end of the growing season. Removal of Japanese Knotweed can be carried out at any time of the year.

Call KleerKut.

https://www.progreen.co.uk/problem/japanese-knotweed?adgroupid=1249045648926038&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=DSA%20%7C%20Progreen&utm_term=progreen%20co&utm_content=DSA%3A%20All%20Webpages

JAPANESE KNOTWEED NEAR THE END OF THE GROWING SEASON

Late in the growing season, around August, on well-established Japanese Knotweed you will start to see flower buds emerging from the nodes/leaf joints.  Over several weeks these will lengthen, and the plant will start to flower, displaying small fronds of creamy white flowers which hang down from the leaf axils.

Japanese Knotweed can look quite spectacular at this time of year, but this is the best time to treat the plant with herbicide.

At this moment in time, the plant is putting all its energy into seed production prior to dying back for winter which makes it an ideal time to apply herbicide to the foliage.  When the Japanese knotweed enters senescence, all the nutrients from the above ground vegetation are drawn back down deep into the root network to ensure the best survival of the specimen through the winter months.  Herbicide applied at this time will also be drawn down deep into the root network; allowing for maximum effect.

If you’re concerned about Japanese Knotweed, or indeed any other Invasive Weed, why not take advantage of our range of FREE Identification options or Get in Touch for help from our team?