ELCOT ENVIRONMENTAL Japanese Knotweed Removal Specialists Since 1982 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

ELCOT ENVIRONMENTAL

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Japanese Knotweed Removal Specialists Since 1982

JANUARY TO MARCH

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Typical Japanese Knotweed Appearance

Skyline views of typical Knotweed stems showing desiccated flower sets. Picture 1a Picture 1b

JANUARY to MARCH

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No visible sign of any “green” stalks – only previous season’s dead brown stems invariably broken, due to wind damage. Picture 1c Picture 1d

JANUARY to MARCH

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Old stalks tend to break off leaving a short stump connected to the “crown”, site of re-emergence for the new seasons growth. Picture 1e

• Possibility of a few new emerging K

Knotweed shoots may be visible, depending on weather conditions.

• “Red blunt “growth tips” just visible

through the previous season’s leaf and stem litter. Picture 1f

APRIL to JUNE

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New Japanese Knotweed shoot emergence “red to dark green” in colour. Picture 2a New stem extension starts and is very rapid +/- 50cm/week on a well established Knotweed stand. Picture 2b

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APRIL to JUNE

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Both photo’s show this rapid stem extension – this is about 3-4 weeks growth. Knotweed can reach upwards of 3.5 metres in height in a single growing season. Picture 2c Picture 2d

APRIL to JUNE

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By the end of June the stand is well over 2.5 – 3 metres tall and is densely covered in medium to large yellowy green leaves. The stand at this stage is very difficult to penetrate and some larger area stands require several spray treatments to obtain a satisfactory result. Picture 2e Picture 2f

JULY to SEPTEMBER

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Well established stand growing around the edge of a car park. Dense full leave cover, making it very difficult to penetrate physically and/or with chemicals. Picture 3a Picture 3b

JULY to SEPTEMBER

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Smaller shoots can also be found at this time of the year, depending on, or subjected to any previous disturbance. Picture 3c White flowering stage. Picture 3d

JULY to SEPTEMBER

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The flowering stage can spill over to October/November. Small creamy white flowers which hang in clusters from the leaf axils (where the leaf joins the stem). Picture 3e Picture 3f

OCTOBER to DECEMBER

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Leaves start to turn a dull green colour at this time of the year coupled with the brown remnants of the flowers. The plant is very drab. Picture 4a Picture 4b

OCTOBER to DECEMBER

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The leaves start to turn yellow as the season progresses and the plant shuts down for Winter. This may vary depending on the location and surrounding temperature of the stand. Picture 4c Picture 4d

OCTOBER to DECEMBER

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Until finally turning brown and shedding, leaving brown stalks with the remnants of dried up flower buds still visible on the ends of the stems. Picture 4e Picture 4f

DISTURBED KNOTWEED

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Emerging Knotweed with small clustered leaves sign of previous chemical treatment. New “Red” shoots and first pair of leaves emerging from disturbed ground. Picture 5a Picture 5b

DISTURBED KNOTWEED

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Previously treated Knotweed against a building showing stunted growth. Emerging Knotweed shoots bent/twisted – sign of past chemical treatment. Picture 5c Picture 5d

DISTURBED KNOTWEED

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Knotweed shoots emerging from disturbed ground near newly installed works. Vehicular access showing stunted growth compared to that off the path. Picture 5e Picture 5f

DISTURBED KNOTWEED

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New growth as a result of previous “Roundup” treatment New growth emerging from previously treated Knotweed Picture 5g Picture 5h

DISTURBED KNOTWEED

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Stem extension of Knotweed growing up through disturbed ground, after cutting back. Sprouting Knotweed shoots emerging from a disturbed and gravelled area. Picture 5i Picture 5j

OTHER PLANTS MISTAKEN FOR JAPANESE KNOTWEED

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Polygonatum (Fallopia) baldschuanicum (Russian Vine) A rampant climber with stems up to 12m long. Flowers white to pink tinged. Leaves ovate or heart-shaped, pale green. Picture 6a

OTHER PLANTS MISTAKEN FOR JAPANESE KNOTWEED

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Picture 6b Arum maculatum/italicum (Lords & Ladies Cuckoo Spit) The purplish cylindrical flower- head is enclosed within a greenish yellow swathe and sometimes spotted with purple. It gives off a smell of decay along with its slight heat, attracts flies. The long stalked leaves are shaped like arrowheads and

• ften have dark spots. The

poisonous berries can be fatal if eaten by children.

OTHER INVASIVE PLANTS

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Picture 6c Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens Glandulifera) Introduced to the U.K. In 1839, it is now rapidly spreading along riverbanks and other areas of damp ground. It produces purplish-pink through to white helmet shaped flowers. These are followed by seed pods which, when ripe, explode scattering up to 800 seeds. The seeds can remain viable for about 2 years and germinate between February and March.

OTHER INVASIVE PLANTS

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Non-native Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.) Some Cotoneaster species are non-native and invasive plant species in the UK, and they occur in a variety of habitats, including in woodland, scrub, hedgerows and quarries, roadsides, railways banks and waste ground. Cotoneaster species are often found in ornamental planting. Reproduction is by seed. Evidence from surveys suggests that non-native Cotoneaster is present within the vicinity of the proposed works. LEGISLATION Five species of non-native Cotoneasters are listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to plant or cause to grow (spread) these species in the wild. Anyone convicted of an offence under the above legislation may face a fine of £5,000 or six months’ imprisonment for a summary conviction or an unlimited fine

• r two years’ imprisonment on indictment.

Inappropriate disposal of non-native Cotoneaster material may lead to prosecution under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. AVOIDING OFFENCES

• A method statement is required for works affecting

areas of non-native Cotoneaster;

• An ecologist should oversee the works to areas of non-

native Cotoneaster;

• Excavated material (to 1.5 m deep) of areas of non-

native Cotoneaster should be loaded directly to a suitable truck;

• Disposal of non-native Cotoneaster material should be

made to an approved landfill site;

• Clean all vehicles and equipment used in the

Cotoneaster area;

• Top soil brought into the site must be free of

Cotoneaster and other invasive species. Picture 6d

OTHER INVASIVE PLANTS

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Giant Hogweed (Heracieum Mantegazzianum) The Problem Giant Hogweed was first introduced to Britain in 1893 as an

• rnamental plant. It spread from gardens and now covers many

areas of wasteland and riverbanks in the British Isles. By forming dense stands it can displace native plants and reduce wildlife

• interests. During winter when the plant has died back it leaves

the area bare of vegetation and increasing the risk of erosion and re-colonisation from seeds washed downstream. Health It is essential that full protective clothing is worn when working near Giant Hogweed. Hairs on the outside of the stems and leaves, and poisonous sap on the inside can cause severe skin

• irritation. Blistering occurs 24-48 hours after initial contact and

dense pigmentation is visible after 3-5 days. This may persist up to six years. Un-shaded habitats tend to produce plants with greater quantities of toxins due to the soil having a higher nitrate level. Legal It is an offence under section 14(2) of The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to plant or otherwise cause to grow in the wild any plant listed in schedule 9, part 2. This includes Giant Hogweed. Picture 6e

OTHER INVASIVE PLANTS

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Mare’s Tail (Equisetum) The Problem Horsetail or Mares tail (Equisetum) is a very invasive weed. It is a perennial weed which will grow in a wide variety of soils; Horsetail rhizomes can penetrate several metres below the soil

• surface. They thrive in poor soils but have no preference for soil
• type. It is appearing more and more on newly built environments

pushing its way up through tarmac and appearing in landscape

• areas. When in a planted landscape area it becomes harder to

treat with herbicide due to the close proximity of the “Mares Tail” growing in amongst the herbaceous plants etc., with the shrubs being more susceptible to the chemicals than the “Mares Tail” itself. Identification The Mares Tail family produce two types of stems:

• 1. A short brown stem like asparagus (15 to 45cm) emerges early

in the year is coned shaped at the tip which contains large numbers of spores.

• 2. A taller dark green stem (up to 65cm) it is sterile and emerges

after the first stems have died back they are bottle brush in appearance. These are rich in silica and have a tough, wiry feel to them.

(Spring) (Summer) “Mares Tail” growing up between paving Slabs

Pictures 6f / 6g / 6h

OTHER INVASIVE PLANTS

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Variegated Yellow Archangel (Lamium galeobdolon ssp. argentatum) Variegated Yellow Archangel is a non-native and invasive plant species in the UK, and occurs in a variety of soils, and can be found growing on woodland edges, roadside verges and on tracksides, and often in places where garden rubbish is dumped. Evidence from surveys suggests that Variegated Yellow Archangel is present within the vicinity of the proposed works. LEGISLATION Variegated Yellow Archangel is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to plant or cause to grow (spread) this species in the wild. Anyone convicted of an offence under the above legislation may face a fine of £5,000 or six months’ imprisonment for a summary conviction or an unlimited fine or two years’ imprisonment on indictment. Inappropriate disposal of Variegated Yellow Archangel material may lead to prosecution under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. AVOIDING OFFENCES

• Arrange for an ecologist to mark a 1 m exclusion zone

around the Variegated Yellow Archangel plants;

• Avoid disturbing the soil within the exclusion zone;
• A method statement is needed if the exclusion zone is under the

footprint of the works;

• An ecologist to oversee all works within the 1 m exclusion zone;
• All material within the exclusion zone and up to 0.5 m deep

should be excavated and loaded directly into a suitable truck and disposed of at an approved landfill site.

• Clean all vehicles and equipment used in the Variegated Yellow

Archangel area;

• Top soil brought into the site must be free of Variegated Yellow

Archangel and other invasive species; Pictures 6i / 6j

Elcot Environmental

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The Nurseries, Kingsdown Lane, Blunsdon Swindon, SN25 5DL Tel: 01793 700 100 Email: enquiries@elcotenviro.com

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