Japenese Knotweed's capacity to damage property values

Every year we have a gurn about the amount of Japenese Knotweed growing along the River Nairn and particualarly in the town centre area. Hoping perhaps that one day the local authority will take it seriously. It not only squeezes out native species but it can also seriously damage property values it seems:

"Couple are forced to demolish their £300k four-bed home after it was invaded by Japanese knotweed"

Could it happen in Nairn? Well the clumps of Knotweed seem to spread very quickly each season and apparently it takes a 3-4 year period of treatment if you want to dispose of it. So perhaps it's time to get seriously started on this stuff when it pops up again in the spring?

Zombie hogweed rises from the dead!

It had looked pretty promising up at the granites but now the Hogweed has just picked itself up after the spraying and is getting on with life, admittedly with a stoop in its step but behold the seed head is forming. Be careful if you go up there alone at night.

An offer to deal with our Japanese knotweed plus a five year guarantee

The Gurn has received an interesting message and we would only be too glad to forward the details to the local authority or any other interested party. We certainly need to do something about the problem, the Gurn has been tireless in raising this increasing problem. Just scroll down for more details.

Anyway here is the kind offer:

'Dear Sir/Madam

We have read on your blog that you are having problems with Japanese knotweed. We are a Scottish weed control company called the Invasive Weeds Agency with over 30 years ecological experience, including several years of advising many of the large weed control companies.

We offer weed control and ecology at competitive rates; notably 1 season Japanese knotweed eradication with a 5 year insurance-backed guarantee. If we can be of any assistance then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards'

Japanese Knotweed - now we shall have to fight it on the beaches!

'Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) grows much larger in Scotland than it does in Japan and can burst through tarmac and on occasions can penetrate houses, as well as outcompeting almost all other vegetation. The extensive root system is very difficult to eradicate,' advises the Scottish Government.

Not content with its current takeover bid on the River Nairn, Japanese Knotweed has now established a beachhead here too. This frightening picture was taken this evening. Advice to the local authority: take a good look at the Japenese knotweed Alliance site, take a few deep breaths, drive down to the Links, set phasers to stun and advance.

Gurn Knotweed watch

Japanese Knotweed enjoying the mild weather close to Nairn town centre.

The Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) threat to the Nairn Riverside

Giant Hog Weed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) seems to be the number one enemy in public and local government perception but in reality with the right manpower it is easily dealt with as opposed to Japanese Knotweed. Hogweed is a biannual plant and if you slice through the root two to three inches below the ground then, nine times out of ten, that is the end of it. What you have to do with Hogweed is kill it before it seeds.

Japanese Knotweed making it's spring reappearance on the riverside

Japanese Knotweed presents a major problem to the local ecosystems by comparison.
Here are the main problems caused by Knotweed as listed on the site of the Japanese Knotweed Alliance.

'• Damage to paving and tarmac areas
• Damage to flood defence structures
• Damage to archaeological sites
• Reduction of biodiversity through out-shading native vegetation
• Restriction of access to riverbanks for anglers, bank inspection and amenity use
• Reduction in land values
• Increased risk of flooding through dead stems washed into river and stream channels
• Increased risk of soil erosion and bank instability following removal of established stands in riparian areas
• Accumulation of litter in well established stands
• Aesthetically displeasing
• Expensive to treat'
Regular walkers of the river will know that there is no shortage of Japanese Knot Weed. It makes no sense to spend £56,000 on improving the riverside walks if nothing is done to protect the indigenous flora from invasive species.
The issue of Japanese Knotweed was raised at the last Ward Forum meeting of the Highland Council in Nairn. It remains to be seen if the council will do anything. If not within a few years there will be nothing to be seen along the riverside but Japanese knotweed.
Here’s a little more information on Knotweed from the Japanese Knotweed Alliance site

‘Japanese knotweed thrives on disturbance and has been spread by both natural means and by human activity. In riparian areas, high water flows disperse fragments of the plant downstream where new colonies form. In the past, fly-tipping and transportation of soil containing rhizome fragments have been a major cause of spread, particularly in the urban environment. It is only one of two terrestrial plants dealt with by the current version of the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act under which it is illegal to cause it to grow in the wild.’

And according to another site there are legal implications. The Gurn is not quite sure how the legislation would apply in Scotland however.
'Japanese Knotweed is regulated by several pieces of legislation, the main being

• The Wildlife and Countryside Act (as amended) 1981
• The Environmental Protection Act 1990
• The Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991
Third party litigation where damages may be sought for allowing Japanese Knotweed to spread onto other properties.

This puts a duty of care on the landowner with Japanese Knotweed infestations to be proactive in the control and eradication of it. Planning permission will also generally be refused without an eradication programme in place for the infestation.’
No doubt The Highland Council will be fully aware of the implications. The Gurn appeals for action by our local authority