A highly invasive exotic, Japanese Knotweed is perhaps the last plant you ever want to see on your property. With no natural predators outside of its native Japan, this weed is becoming increasingly problematic throughout the eastern United States and Canada, as well as Europe and the United Kingdom. Easily identifiable by its distinctive, bamboo-esque appearance, knotweed stems are hollow and green, punctuated by nodes and adorned with large, rotund leaves and small whitish flowers. Favoring moist, open areas (especially those with disturbed soil), it grows in highly dense thickets, crowding out native vegetation. Its roots can run up to three meters deep and extend several meters laterally. Cutting or pulling the stalks is a wasted effort as the roots regenerate and the knotweed rebounds quickly. Property owners must also resist the temptation to simply build over an infestation; though this may provide an easy fix initially, the roots will not smother and will continue to push up new shoots. And those shoots are no joke - known in Japan as itadori, meaning "strong plant," they've been known to penetrate concrete. Thus it's extremely important that no construction begin until the property is completely clear, a process that is extremely difficult and likely impossible without specialist knowledge. The most reliable and quickest method of removal is physical extraction. Using a 360 excavator, the roots and surrounding soil are dug up, and the contaminated soil is either processed or disposed of in accordance with law. Great care must be taken to ensure absolutely complete extraction as entire colonies can be resurrected from just a single leftover fragment of rhizome. Despite the advantages, however, excavation is impractical for most landowners because it is such an expensive and labor-intensive process. Chemical herbicide is the most cost- and labor-effective method of removal and thus a good first line of defense. Glyphosate, a chemical found in various different brands of weed killers, is normally sprayed onto the foliage. Because it's non-selective, use caution when spraying near innocent native vegetation. Better yet, inject the glyphosate directly into the stem. Injection offers precise control over application, as well as greatly reducing potentially hazardous human exposure. A simple gun-shaped tool tipped with a needle is loaded with glyphosate and inserted into the hollow stem. With a pull of the trigger, the chemical is injected into the plant and results will be visible within a couple of weeks. Treatment is best performed in the late summer as the roots draw in nutrients to prepare for the winter. During this time, the herbicide will be readily absorbed and can greatly damage the root system. It is also helpful to do several treatments throughout the growing season to achieve the maximum impact. Bear in mind that chemical treatment over several seasons may be required to completely eradicate the problem.
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A highly invasive exotic, Japanese Knotweed is perhaps the last plant you ever want to see on your property. With no natural predators outside of its native Japan, this weed is becoming increasingly problematic throughout the eastern United States and Canada, as well as Europe and the UK.
If you have a Japanese Knotweed problem then it really is better in the long run to call in a professional company. They'll be able to identify the extent of the problem and recommend the best treatment option.
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