Coventry’s worst areas for Japanese knotweed destructive plant …
Coventry residents need to be on the lookout for the first signs of Japanese knotweed according to the latest growth maps. The rampant shrub can spread its way into homes and other buildings, push up through patios and pavements, choke allotments and overwhelm bowling greens and sports pitches.
Environet UK’s latest ‘heat map’ of the plant currently shows 41 occurrences of Japanese knotweed[1] in a 4km zone covering the city centre and the west of Coventry[2] including Earlsdon[3], Canley[4] and Coundon[5]. The same numbers have been recorded in the north of the city covering Radford[6], Foleshill[7] and Holbrooks[8].
A similar frequency, 40 occurences in a 4km radius, has been recorded over in the east of Coventry in the direction of Stoke[9], Binley[10], Walsgrave[11] and Wyken. The frequency drops to 34 in the far west in and around Tile Hill, Eastern Green and Allesley[12] and further north of the city out towards Longford and Keresley[13].
Japanese knotweed’s distinctive mottled stems, similar to asparagus or bamboo, will now have emerged from the ground and be flourishing in the warm temperatures, sunshine and rain. And although the little shoots may look innocent enough at first, the plant can grow at a rate of 10cm a day, while the unseen root system sprawls horizontally to sprout new growth.
In just 10 weeks, the plant can reach a height of three or four metres, BirminghamLive reports.[15] Experts at Environet UK[16] said: “Japanese knotweed[17] is described by the Environment Agency as ‘indisputably the UK’s most aggressive, destructive and invasive plant’.
“Due to the powerful root and rhizome system, which extends deep into the ground, knotweed is notoriously difficult to treat or remove without professional help – and failure to do so could result in your property being damaged and devalued.”
They added: “Knotweed will make it more difficult to sell an affected property, impacting its value by up to 10 per cent. Half of would-be buyers will walk away from a property known to be infested with knotweed.
Environet UK’s latest ‘heat map’ shows where Japanese knotweed growth is most prevalent (Image: Environet UK)
“Sellers are required by law to disclose the presence of knotweed – if they don’t, they risk an expensive misrepresentation claim in the courts.” One man was handed a £200,000 legal bill after selling a dream home without disclosing that it had Japanese knotweed lurking in the garden.
However, it is not actually illegal to have Japanese knotweed[18] on your land as long as you don’t allow it to spread beyond your boundaries. It only becomes a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 if you fail to stop the plant from moving into nearby natural habitats.
If you spot the plant in your garden and want to get rid of it, there are strict procedures to follow[19] – with experts warning that specialist treatment is usually needed, as most DIY solutions such as garden centre weedkillers or household bleach do not work.
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References
- ^ Japanese knotweed (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Coventry (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Earlsdon (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Canley (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Coundon (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Radford (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Foleshill (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Holbrooks (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Stoke (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Binley (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Walsgrave (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Allesley (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Keresley (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Coventry and Exhall crack dealers caught by cops through text messages (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ BirminghamLive reports. (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Environet UK (www.environetuk.com)
- ^ Japanese knotweed (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Japanese knotweed (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ strict procedures to follow (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ daily newsletter. (data.reachplc.com)