Snowdonia worst-hit area for Japanese knotweed
BEAUTY SPOT TOPS WALES RANKINGS AND ALSO AMONG UK TOP 5
SNOWDONIA has the biggest “hotspot” for the dreaded Japanese knotweed in Wales, a study has revealed.
The beauty spot has also featured in the national rankings as among the most-affected locations in Great Britain, with Capel Garmon in particular coming in fifth.
Invasive plant specialist Environet UK has revealed the knotweed hotspots using data from its online tracker.
The five locations in Wales with the most known Japanese knotweed infestations: Capel Garmon, Snowdonia, with 398 infestations, Llanelli with 389, Cardiff with 361, Swansea with 333 and Aberystwyth with 222.
Japanese knotweed first arrived in UK in 1850 in a box of plant specimens delivered to Kew Gardens. Favoured for its rapid growth and pretty, heartshaped leaves, it was quickly adopted by gardeners and horticulturalists who were oblivious to its invasive nature.
Knotweed hibernates over winter but begins to grow in March or April.
The roots can grow as deep as three metres and spread up to seven metres wide.
If left unchecked, it can grow up through driveways, pathways, drains and cavity walls.
Nic Seal, founder and Managing Director of Environet, said: “Japanese knotweed strikes fear into the hearts of homeowners, but as long as they’re aware of its presence and take action to remove it before it causes any serious damage or spreads to a neighbour’s property, there’s no reason to panic.
“By publishing the 2022 hotspots for Wales, we hope to encourage people in the area to be vigilant for signs of knotweed as the growing season takes off, so they can act quickly if needed.
“Anyone living near these hotspots should check their garden carefully, enter their postcode into Exposed to find out how many occurrences are nearby and, if in doubt, seek help.”
HOW TO SPOT JAPANESE KNOTWEED
Asparagus-like spears emerge in early spring and begin to sprout pale green leaves with distinctive pink veins.
In May, the plant grows rapidly. The stems harden into bamboo-like structures and the leaves, which grow in a zigzag pattern up the stem, are lush, green and heart-shaped.
By mid-summer, the plant grows at a rate of around 10cm per day. In August the plant blooms, with clusters of creamy flowers on upper leaf axials.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE JAPANESE KNOTWEED
Check out the identification guide on Environet’s website or send a photo to expert@environetuk.com .
Once knotweed is confirmed, commission a survey to find out the extent of the infestation and arrange professional treatmentant.
You will be liable if you allow the plant to spread to someone else’s property through inaction.