Harringay online

Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Beware the badass Japanese knotweed ..

There have been various posts about Japanese Knotweed over the years but there is a piece in the Standard today by David Sexton about this scary weed and how near some is to his garden in Harringay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the article it clearly isn't only found in Harringay, although David doesn't mention the unique hybrid that has been formally identified up in Railway Fields, an unholy cross between Russian Vine and Japanese Knotweed. But it certainly seems to be a growing problem - in particular I've been very struck by the number of gardens on St Anns Road I see with it, and there is an amazing front garden on the corner of Cavendish and Wightman Rd which was paved over in an attempt to get rid of it - now the plants are just pushing up around the paving.

More here.

Tags for Forum Posts: japanese knotweed

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on July 17, 2013 at 16:39

I'm not clear, Noots, what you hope the Council would do. Are these Homes for Haringey properties?

Have you had a look at the links which Grant included in his comment below? To the Council's website and the Environment Agency's Advice.

These make it clear that the responsibility for knotweed on private land belongs to the owner or occupier of that land. (Not too helpful if they are unaware of the problem or don't care.)

The Environment Agency page has a link to information on Cornwall Council's website.

(Tottenham Hale ward councillor)

Permalink Reply by Grant on July 5, 2013 at 14:53

My advice, for what it's worth. First dig out as much of the rhizome as possible. This requires some careful excavation as the rhizome is both very deep rooted, and quite fragile - if you tug on it to try to pull it up it will just snap. Try to bring it out in one piece, as any bits you leave behind will grow in to new plants. Then dispose of this material (which is now classed as controlled waste) in an approriate way, advice on disposal here: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/wildlife/130079... The council also seem to have a disposal service, according to their website: http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/environment_and_transport/refuse-r...

Following this, treat any regrowth with a systemic weedkiller (Glyphosate). Roundup Root and Tree Stump Killer is effective on Japanese knotweed, the package contains instructions for its use on Knotweed. Bear in mind this stuff will kill any plants it comes in to contact with, so you need to be really careful when applying it! I've heard that injecting the stems at the end of the season is effective, again, the weedkiller box has instructions for this.

The problem you are going to have though, is that the plant is growing through from a neighbouring property. Without dealing with the 'mothership' you have no chance of getting rid of it. The above link to the EA website also has advice for when Knotweed on a neighbouring property is causing a nuisance.

Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on July 5, 2013 at 15:17

Thanks, Grant. This matches the advice I was given by the Parks Service staff person. Including the advice about leaving it until the end  of the season and injecting the plants.

It seems to me that as long as too many people are unaware there's even a problem; and the best ways to treat it, there can be no coordinated effective action.

Thanks in particular for the link the Council's webpage. Dunno how I missed this the first time round. And it was updated on 26 June 2013!  Apologies for my sloppiness

One thing it doesn't say is advice about not cutting it.

Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on July 5, 2013 at 14:19

It's brilliant that HoL has crowd-sourced these different concerns about what is obviously - and literally - a fast growing problem.

There are several links to Japanese knotweed on Haringey's website. But I haven't yet found a page with an easily accessible compilation of accurate data - and useful links - about how to recognise and tackle this invasive plant. Also with advice about what not  to do.

My partner Cllr Zena Brabazon reported a pile of several dozen bags of green waste apparently dumped in a street in her ward. (St Ann's)  Later she was told this was bagged-up Japanese Knotweed awaiting a specialist collection, as it was a hazard and could not be added to the normal waste collection. Which itself seemed worrying when she thought of animals ripping open bags left on the street, and the plants being spread.

This afternoon I spoke to a member of the Council's staff in the Parks Service who gave me some helpful advice. Including the bad news that cutting the stuff is probably the worst thing you can do.

I will now be suggesting some co-ordinated action on this problem to give people hard information and expert advice. And to develop a practical strategy by the council - Including benchmarking with other councils and agencies to see how they are tackling this.

It seems to be a London-wide and probably a country-wide problem. So making national funds available is plainly sensible.

(Tottenham Hale ward councillor until May 2013)

Permalink Reply by Protheroe O'Shea on July 5, 2013 at 17:57

Network Rail need to do something about it. it is growing rapidly behind our gardens on Lothair South. I reported it to them two years ago,, they have sprayed it once since and never came back!

Permalink Reply by John McMullan on July 5, 2013 at 18:09

This must be great for carbon sequestration. British Airways may pay us to grow it. They pay a friend of mine to grow Eucalyptus trees in New Zealand...

Permalink Reply by Nick G-T on July 5, 2013 at 21:20

It's not very clear, but is this Knotweed?

Permalink Reply by Katie K on July 5, 2013 at 21:30

Hi Nicholas. It does look like it. If you use twitter, tweet who can advise. 

Katie

Permalink Reply by Salsa on July 17, 2013 at 15:33
Yes that's definitely knot weed. I was looking at that exact patch on the weekend!
Permalink Reply by Nick G-T on July 17, 2013 at 23:11

Thanks Sally, I have emailed Ersan & Co Solicitors to ask what action they are taking, other than cutting it down and piling it up in their front garden. This is of particular concern considering they are sighted across the road from Ducketts Common.

Permalink Reply by Salsa on April 2, 2014 at 12:07

Has anyone noticed the recent new growth of Japanese Knotweed in the passage between Burgoyne and Cavendish? I hope it doesn't ruin the paving stones. Will report it to the council. It might have spread from the large patch on the corner of Cavendish and Wightman....

Permalink Reply by Philip on April 2, 2014 at 15:17

Grant is right that in the early stages knotweed can be treated(now is a good time) by Roundup. Pulling it up is useless. If left to its own devices it will form a massive network stretching for many metres around when it will need the attention of the professionals. Some will be aware of the threat to bees from Roundup, but used on the leaves of the plant, before it blooms, I think is reasonable.

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