Japanese Knotweed – Government to issue ASBO’s

The powers in Westminster have decreed that anyone who fails to control the growth of one of our most invasive and pesky none native plants could be issues with an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO to you and me). No I’m not joking, they are deadly serious, but not as dead as they’d like the Knotweed to be.

As you’ll know it was introduced to these sheltered waters in the 19th century as Fallopia japonica, a medal winning ornamental plant. Since then it has become a pain to anyone who encounters it on their land. It is thought to go through concrete and steel but that’s old wives tales. If it was I’d be chucking out my old Black & Decker…! In reality it will grow through gaps and cracks and by expanding it will cause heave to foundations and sub-structures, which your house insurer will not like. It is so hardy that only a few millimetres of the rhizome (root) will regrow and some folk estimate that this could take place even after 15 years of being dormant. Well, it did come form the slopes of active volcanoes, so you have to give it some credit…!

According to the Home Office, ‘Failure to act’ is a form of anti-social ‘conduct’ and individuals could be fined up to £2,500 with companies up to £20,000. So you’ve been warned…!

During the building of the Olympic Park it is estimated that £70 million was spent on removing the blighter…they should have call us…! Why, well anyone who has experience in dealing with this menace will know that disposing of it is a fools game. The simplest way is to spray the plant just before it starts to flower, and if your in any doubt why not give our Alasdair a call on 0131 538 8456, he’s the one in the photo…though I’m not sure about the yellow…!