What is Japanese knotweed?

What is Japanese knotweed?

Japanese Knotweed is the most invasive weed in the UK. It’s a non-native invasive weed. It’s a strong growing, clump forming perennial, with tall, dense annual stems like bamboo. The rhizome is highly regenerative, meaning that even a small piece has the ability to grow into a new plant. It is highly invasive and capable of exposing weaknesses in buildings, foundations, concrete and tarmac.

Japanese Knotweed is fast growing and extremely resilient. Although herbicide treatments can successfully control and kill surface growth, it can leave deep and dense underground Rhizome in a viable but dormant stage. 

Stem growth is renewed each year from the crown and can reach 3 meters in height, and its deeply penetrating rhizomes (creeping underground stems) can go down as much as 4 meters.

Left untreated it could spread and cause structural damage to surfaces, walls and buildings especially if it grows through cracks, weaknesses and joins in built structures. It may also encroach or enter neighbouring properties which could result in legal disputes, affect your property value, and restrict mortgage availability.

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