The damages of ‘Japanese Knotweed’ and how to identify them
Japanese Knotweed poses a great risk to property and has been sharply focused by recent legal cases.
Paul is regularly appointed as an expert witness in such cases. He provided advice and information on how property professionals can understand the risks and how to protect themselves from litigation.
Some facts about Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
- ornamental plant originating from Asia
- aggressive introduced species (~1820) – most invasive plant in Britain and thrives on disturbed sites (e.g. brownfield)
- perennial – spreads primarily by creeping rhizomes – grows through cracks in walls, concrete and tarmac
- forms dense thickets (up to 3m in height) that shade and rapidly outcompete native plants
- produces annual shoots that die back in winter, forming persistent, strawcoloured, bamboo-like canes
Potted history of UK knotweed control industry:
https://insideecology.com/2018/02/02/how-did-we-get-into-this-knotted-mess/
https://insideecology.com/2018/02/02/how-did-we-get-into-this-knotted-mess/
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