What You Need to Know about Japanese Knotweed A UK Guide for the Non-Specialist

About this book

This handy pocketbook separates fact from fiction about the invasive weed, Japanese knotweed, If you have the plant in your garden, or your neighbour has, this book will advise what to do. Typical questions asked by members of the public are: Why is knotweed such a menace? Will Japanese knotweed prevent me from selling my property? Dare I buy a property with knotweed growing on it? Can I get a mortgage on property that has knotweed in the garden? What shouldn't I do to Japanese knotweed? Will this weed reduce a house to rubble? Can I ignore it when building a patio or onto the house? What options are available for controlling knotweed? Can I actually identify it? How does it spread? What are my legal responsibilities regarding knotweed? Where can I find impartial advice?

Contents

- Introduction - public attitudes
- Recognise your plant - how does it reproduce? How has it become so widespread? Different forms of knotweed and other similar plants
- Dealing with knotweed on properties - the basic do's and don'ts, what should you do if knotweed is growing in your garden? What legal recourse do you have if it spreads onto your land. Buying property with knotweed growing on it, mortgage lenders and the property market
- Why is Japanese knotweed a cause for concern? - environmental impact, structural damage, is knotweed a health risk?
- Methods of treatment: what the professionals can do for you - control or eradication, control by herbicide: glyphosate, dormancy, 'bonsai' regrowth - excavation, removal, root barriers, alternatives - hand-pulling, cutting, mowing, covering, burning; The consequences of knotweed disturbance, insurance-backed guarantees, insurance cover, contractors' obligations, reinfestation; Finding impartial advice, trade bodies and other organisations
- Glossary: Useful contacts and information

Customer Reviews

Biography

Jim Glaister has worked in the invasive weed sector since 2004 and is currently Southern Area Manager for the Japanese Knotweed Company based near Winchester, Hampshire. He works closely with the Property Care Association (PCA), is among the examiners for the CSIK qualification on Japanese knotweed, is involved with preparing courses on dealing with knotweed and other invasive plants, and is a member of the PCA's Invasive Weed Control Group. He is also a contributing author to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' online information portal 'iserve', and gives presentations and webinars on invasive-weed topics to environmental consultants, local authorities and property management companies.