Japanese Knotweed Identification

Japanese Knotweed Identification At this time of year Japanese Knotweed is dormant during the winter but it won't belong before the 2016 growing season starts in March/April. In Spring: Young red/purple asparagus like shoots appear which turn green as they age. Some plants leaf initially but can grow 50cm as straight rod. In Summer: These shoots turn into bamboo like hollow stems, with regular swollen often red, joints & nodes. Stems can grow up to 3m in height. Leaves are lush green and can be described as heart shaped. In Autum: Flowers bloom 80mm-120mm in long clusters of small green/white flowers. In late autumn flowers start to fall. In Winter: Stems turn brittle and brown, leaves turn brown/yellow and eventually fall off this usually starts to occur during first frost. Japanese knotweed or J.K. as it is commonly known is a highly invasive, non-native plant found in the U.K. It has the potential to damage buildings, structures and over-power native species, eventually eradicating them from their own environment. Japanese Knotweed is proscribed under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it an offence to allow the plant to spread. All parts of the plant, and any soil contaminated with the rhizome, are classified as "controlled waste" requiring all the "duty of care" requirements under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to be met. The Japanese knotweed plant can regenerate from rhizome fragments as small as 0.7gram and can remain dormant in the soil for over four years making a professional and scientific approach to its eradication vital if 100% success is to be guaranteed. Guide to Japanese Knotweed If you would like a free copy of our Guide to Japanese Knotweed email michael@i-v-m.co.uk to request one. Find us on Facebook, Youtube and Twitter @IVMLtd image 1 Japanese Knotweed & Mortgages Invasive Vegetation Management & Treatment Ltd (IVM) can now offer a 10 year insured guarantee on any Japanese Knotweed eradication. This guarantee is as a result of direct consultation with the RICS. Mortgage lenders will expect the presence of Japanese Knotweed to be noted on a residential valuation report. RICS red book guidance requires the valuer to indicate the presence of invasive vegetation. The RICS decided to consult with invasive weed experts and invited input from Japanese Knotweed companies throughout the UK. This resulted in a published information paper early in 2012. To offer this insurance you have to be audited, scrutinised and prove that your business has expertise, good financial standing, are using appropriately qualified staff, first class customer service and comply with all statutory regulations. When accredited you are also automatically part of the Government endorsed Trustmark Scheme. Now the good news! Detailed discussion with both the RICS and CML’s have convinced the insurance underwriters that companies accredited to such high standards were of minimal risk and a ten year insured guarantee would be available providing and in support of a 10 year guarantee by the contracting company. The cost is from only £79.50 per project and removes one of the obstacles to obtain funding as well as assisting in future sales. image 2 Why Choose IVM? IVM offer tailor made eradication programs for Japanese knotweed, Giant Knotweed, Hybrid Knotweed and Giant Hogweed. All treatments undertaken by IVM are guaranteed. Invasive Vegetation Management & Treatment Ltd (IVM) offer guaranteed eradication of Japanese Knotweed (JK) using the advanced IVM 'FAST' System, this system uses the latest application techniques and scientific research to ensure complete eradication of Japanese Knotweed, Giant Knotweed and Hybrid Knotweed. The company directors have 31 years combined experience in Japanese Knotweed Treatment & Invasive Vegetation Management between them, with the operational side of the company being headed by a former Director of Business Operations at a company specialising in weed control & treatment of invasive weeds. The company has a wealth of experience in the scientific treatment of invasive plants, and can tailor a treatment program to suit any construction program. We pride ourselves on their Health and Safety and Environmental awareness, with all operatives trained to high standards and being members of NRoSO, BASIS, Amenity Assured and the PCA.