At this particular site in Altringham the Japanese knotweed was approximately 2.4 metres tall in places. This invasive weed has small white flowers, which in this case were just coming to an end for the Winter. The flowers themselves produce a seed but this seed is not viable as all the plants in the UK are of the same sex. In the UK, Japanese knotweed spreads through the rhizomes (roots) being transported by animals such as foxes or badgers that have been digging near the plant or by cuttings, if a piece gets broken off. We have also seen people strim it and spread it this way. It only needs a piece of rhizome as big as your thumb nail to create another plant!

Not only is the Japanese Knotweed a problem for the property owner and their own property but there is also the potential of a civil issue being raised (being sued by the people who own the commercial land just behind). This would cost a whole lot more than just taking action now to eradicate it. Typical costs for civil action range from £10,000 to in excess of £200,000. Our advice to the client was for us to treat all of it to reduce the chance of the neighbouring landowner taking them to court for encroachment.