JAPANESE KNOTWEED is one of the most invasive plants in the UK- and a heatmap has revealed where it is growing in and around Worcester.
According to the data from an online tracker created by Environet (invasive plant specialists), there are around 80 reported occurrences of Japanese knotweed in Worcester- and other Worcestershire areas have been affected too.
A spokesperson for Environet said the heatmap will be especially useful for homeowners or those looking to move house in the coming months.
They said: “It’s especially helpful for people buying homes so they can carry out checks or commission a Japanese knotweed survey if the property they want to buy is in a high-risk area.
“It’s really important to be armed with the facts, because if knotweed is present, a professional treatment plan will need to be put in place with an insurance-backed guarantee in order to satisfy mortgage lenders - and many buyers also renegotiate the price.”
What is Japanese knotweed?
Also known as Fallopia Japonica, this is a weed that spreads rapidly, with the stems growing up to 7ft tall and surpressing all other plant growth.
It often grows in dense thickets and can easily be identified by its bamboo-like stems and green leaves with ‘zig-zag’ stems.
It is notoriously hard to remove by had or eradicate with chemicals.
“Its purple asparagus-like shoots will begin to appear around March/April and when the warmer weather arrives in May and June,” A spokesperson for Environet told Worcester News.
“It starts growing at an astonishing rate, up to 10cm per day, reaching around 3 metres in height.”
Why is it a problem ?
Although it looks harmless, Japanese knotweed can wreak havoc on our building’s infrastructure.
While it is not illegal for you to have it on your property, it is against UK law to cause or allow the plant to spread in the wild- you can be prosecuted for allowing it to do so.
You will also have to declare it when you sell your home- which can decrease your property value by 10%.
A spokesperson for Environet said:“Now number one on the Environment Agency’s list of the UK’s most invasive plant species, Japanese knotweed spreads through its powerful underground root system, pushing up through asphalt, cracks in concrete, drains and even the cavity walls of our homes in search of light and water.
“It can do vast damage to buildings and is notoriously hard to kill.”
Japanese knotweed hotspots in Worcester.
With outbreaks of up to 80 per 4km radius, residents of Worcester should keep an eye out for areas which are prone to outbreaks.
In the Lower Wick area of Worcester specifically, there are 36 occurrences withing 4km.
In Evesham there are 13 occurrences within 4km.
In and around Malvern, there are 105 occurences withing 4km.
In the Wychavon District, there have been around 77 reported occurrences of the weed with the majority of reports (13) coming from Evesham.
If you want to find out how many occurrences have been reported near you, type you postcode into the heatmap.
You can also make additions to the map and report any instances of Japanese knotweed if you see it growing.
A spokesperson for Environet added: “By adding any suspected infestations to the map using the ‘Add sighting’ feature, to be verified by our experts, you're helping build a national picture of the problem and track the spread of knotweed across the UK.”
Have you ever encountered a Japanese knotweed problem? Send your stories to sarah.mcgee@newsquest.co.uk.
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