Japanese Knotweed?

Shefwedfan

Hi,

Have a gardener in at the moment and he picked out and plant and says it could be Japanese Knotweed. Never heard of it before but he says I can't cut it and need to contact County Council.

Done a little bit of research and see it is not nice stuff. It is a good 4 m away from house for the moment.

I have attached some pics. Just wondering can anyone tell if it is or isnt?

lottpaul

Hate to say it but I think he is correct - looks very like Japanese knotweed to me. It's not a good plant to have in a garden but I'm not sure you need to contact the County Council! That only comes into play if you're planning on dumping soil etc etc.
Knotweed can be controlled by spraying - there are lots of good sites with helpful advice on how and what to spray it with - and this is the best time of the year to do it. Cutting down the plant would only reduce surface area that absorbs the weedkiller so it wouldn't be a good idea.
Persevere and you will get rid of it, but it may take a little while.

mayo.mick

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Hi,

Have a gardener in at the moment and he picked out and plant and says it could be Japanese Knotweed. Never heard of it before but he says I can't cut it and need to contact County Council.

Done a little bit of research and see it is not nice stuff. It is a good 4 m away from house for the moment.

I have attached some pics. Just wondering can anyone tell if it is or isnt?

It does look like it. You should contact your local council as soon as possible. They will come out and examine it and if it is, they will treat it (with your permission) and at no cost to you. More info on this thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057439491&page=15

http://swinfordtidytowns.com/japanese-knotweed-mayo-meetings/

Shefwedfan

lottpaul wrote: »

Hate to say it but I think he is correct - looks very like Japanese knotweed to me. It's not a good plant to have in a garden but I'm not sure you need to contact the County Council! That only comes into play if you're planning on dumping soil etc etc.
Knotweed can be controlled by spraying - there are lots of good sites with helpful advice on how and what to spray it with - and this is the best time of the year to do it. Cutting down the plant would only reduce surface area that absorbs the weedkiller so it wouldn't be a good idea.
Persevere and you will get rid of it, but it may take a little while.

I am lucky and the only bit is in the photo. Not cutting it down or anything. Was just checking. Have a call into the county council.

I found loads of companies that will kill it but I bet they are charging a fortune for it....

Other option is gallon of petrol and a match :eek::eek::eek::eek::P:P:P:P

mayo.mick

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I am lucky and the only bit is in the photo. Not cutting it down or anything. Was just checking. Have a call into the county council.

I found loads of companies that will kill it but I bet they are charging a fortune for it....

Other option is gallon of petrol and a match :eek::eek::eek::eek::P:P:P:P

The roots is what need to be killed off, that's the hard part! Needs to be done right by specialists. Has to be done Sep to Nov time. Cutting it or spraying/injecting at other times is not effective.

Shefwedfan

mayo.mick wrote: »

The roots is what need to be killed off, that's the hard part! Needs to be done right by specialists. Has to be done Sep to Nov time. Cutting it or spraying/injecting at other times is not effective.

Only joking, yes I seen it needs to be root, will ring County Council again in morning and see what they say

Shefwedfan

Ok have reported this to county council and numerous other groups which I was told to do and nothing...

Dont want this getting out of hand. I have some heavy duty weed killer so should I spray it? It says on some website to spray it this time of year

looksee

No harm in spraying it, you might have to do it several times though as it regrows.

looksee

That was my experience (admittedly a few years ago) of telling the coco.