Japanese knotweed

[gardenwatcher]

My neighbour has alot of Japense Knotweed in the garden, and it has started coming over into mine. this year we have cut it down every time we see a shoot, but how can we get rid of it. Does anyone know?

[hank]

That stuff'l grow through concrete. I think you may have a battle on your hands.
Japanese Knotweed -Donkey rhubarb, Gypsy rhubarb, Japanese bamboo, Mexican bamboo, Sally rhubarb recognition and eradication, weedkiller, herbicide

There are professionals who claim to be able to kill it. Perhaps it's worth Googling for someone on a 'no kill - no fee' basis.

H.

[Littlesparrow]

I think you have to use a combination of spraying it with weed killer and digging up the roots, but your main problem is it will return unless you can get your neighbor to dig it out their side. Would they do this? or you could offer to help if they can't do it themselves.

[Littlesparrow]

P.S. don't put it on the compost, burn it.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by gardenwatcher

My neighbour has alot of Japense Knotweed in the garden, and it has started coming over into mine. this year we have cut it down every time we see a shoot, but how can we get rid of it. Does anyone know?

As Hank says - you've got aproblem. Local councils varyin their approach to JK and it's worth seeing what help may be available to yu. Here's a link to a website that may relate to your area http://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/NR/rdon...seKnotweed.pdf

To have any major effect you will need to work wth your neighbour - if that were to be a social housing property then you may be able to force the issue. If your neighbour is a home owner, in theory you might have a civil claim aginst them but obviously going down that route would have major implications for 'neighborhood relations'. As to dealing with the problem on your property, see the recommendations in the link above. You must be careful how handle all parts of the plant.

CM

[mikerudland]

Your main problem will be the legal implications should you ever come to try sell your home. due to the invasive nature of the plant lenders now deem any property with Japanese knotweed in the garden to be "unsuitable for lending purposes". This will be considered in the mortgage valuation and result in a phenomenally reduced Value.

To overcome this you need to deal with the knotweed and obtain a solid warranty protecting your property for the future. this shifts liability from the lenders underwriters, allowing the process to move forward.

You can use Herbicide to treat the problem but you will need to treat the entire stand, including that in the neighbouring property.

You could also go down the mechanical removal route. this option is much preferred by lenders. you would need to either remove the entire stand with the cooperation of the neighbouring property or you could remove your area and install a root barrier in prevent re-infestation for the main stand.

Legally your neighbour is breaking section 14(2) of the wildlife and country side act 1981. by allowing the plant to spread.
They theoretically owe you a duty of care to pay for the remediation.
In reality this requires you to sue and can go on for years costing more than the treatment in the first place.

I deal with residential infestations on Japanese knotweed on a daily basis, if you would like to talk further, please feel free to contact me at
mikerudland@t-c-m.co.uk you can find more information at Japanese knotweed removal, eradication, disposal, control and Ecology - TCM

Hope this has been of help to you and readers.