Japanese Knotweed, expert witness recommendations?

[holwellcourtfarm]

We have a large clump of JK here that "just happens" to be next to our neighbouring council run traveler site. It had been there for 20+ years but I've recently noticed that there are now quite a few patches of it growing out of the embankment around the site in different places.

I'm fairly sure that it was imported by the council contractor who installed the banking when they doubled the site to 46 pitches in 1985 but I need a recognised JK expert witness to report in the infestation and it's likely origin before I approach the council.

Can anyone recommend one?

 

[Campani]

Local wildlife trust or a local botanical group.

 

[Bloders]

sister in law works there
VertaseFLI Limited
01246 813289

 

[Frodo2]

Why do you need an Expert Witness? If the site is owned and managed by the council, just report it and they have a duty to prevent it spreading. Speak to the right guy nicely and they will eradicate it. Trying to prove who started the infestation will be next to impossible

 

[Yale]

You need the guys who do ecological surveys for bats,badgers,newts and protected plants etc.

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Why do you need an Expert Witness? If the site is owned and managed by the council, just report it and they have a duty to prevent it spreading. Speak to the right guy nicely and they will eradicate it. Trying to prove who started the infestation will be next to impossible

Because the big clump is is on our land but I believe they caused it. I believe the fact that JK is popping up now in several places along their bank strongly suggests it came in with their material.

 

[Bloders]

speak to the company i mentioned above
they are environmental consultants, so often deal with clearing away contaminated ground etc

 

[Ramrod]

As far as I'm aware, it's a on the list of notifiable plants etc.

So you must report it regardless of where it came from. Wasn't aware an expert identification was needed.

@Frodo2 "Eradicate it " you're having a laugh.

 

[Princess Pooper]

ADAS do a lot on this

http://www.adas.uk/Service/invasive-plant-species-advice

 

[Bogweevil]

It is not notifiable.

Members of BALI, some of whom specialise in this weed, will be pleased to advise: http://www.bali.org.uk/industry/ in the hope of getting the eradication contract.

Stem inject best option for this little patch: https://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/japanese-knotweed-stem-injection-the-answer.html

 

[Y Fan Wen]

I did the injection add on when I was doing my PA6, only 'cos 2 on the course wanted it. First time the examiner had done it. He had a length of pipe insulation and we had to poke the needle in and press the trigger. The outfit was just like a vacc gun and bottle using neat glypho. Funny, I thought 30% was the strongest glypho that would be effective.
The 2 wanted the qualification so they could work on a riverside SSSI.
I used the method on a small infestation by the little one's house and was totally effective.

 

[Princess Pooper]

It's not notifiable but prosecution can result if it is allowed to spread onto a neighbour's property. It is also illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to allow it to grow 'in the wild'. How the last phrase is interpreted I have no idea! Failure to control can also result in an ASBO.

 

[Bald Rick]

IIRC, the Government were going to licence the importation of a beetle or somesuch that munches on JK as a biological form of control.
No use to the OP of course but just an example of running around in circles.

 

[Y Fan Wen]

IIRC, the Government were going to licence the importation of a beetle or somesuch that munches on JK as a biological form of control.
No use to the OP of course but just an example of running around in circles.

I remember the same talk about a South African moth and bracken in the 80's.
I think what happens is that all the tests and research is carried out and then, when it is decision time. there is no civil servant prepared to make the decision and take the responsibility.

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

IIRC, the Government were going to licence the importation of a beetle or somesuch that munches on JK as a biological form of control.
No use to the OP of course but just an example of running around in circles.

Our knotweed patch was actually a control site for the Psyllid bug trial. Apparently they were found to substantially restrict the growth of the knotweed and inhibit spread but they didn't survive the colder winters.

Overall the trial was thought to be interesting but not a solution.

 

[Bald Rick]

Our knotweed patch was actually a control site for the Psyllid bug trial. Apparently they were found to substantially restrict the growth of the knotweed and inhibit spread but they didn't survive the colder winters.

Overall the trial was thought to be interesting but not a solution.

From the horse's mouth. I thank you .......... now to eradicate the Himalayan Balsam that is slowly strangling my stream

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

From the horse's mouth. I thank you .......... now to eradicate the Himalayan Balsam that is slowly strangling my stream

Cut it down each summer before the seed heads form, you'll decimate it in a couple of years unless there is a large stand above you sending fresh seed down.

 

[Frodo2]

Cut it down each summer before the seed heads form, you'll decimate it in a couple of years unless there is a large stand above you sending fresh seed down.

isnt patience and persistence the key to controlling all these nasties. Everyone wants to control things with a single hit, where with repeated application and management most things can be controlled. Black Grass may be an exception.

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

isnt patience and persistence the key to controlling all these nasties. Everyone wants to control things with a single hit, where with repeated application and management most things can be controlled. Black Grass may be an exception.

Coming from a river management background I'd suggest the key is the seed source. If you are getting fresh seed washed down a river onto your land each year (won't happen with JK as we only have the female here In the UK hence no viable seed - yet!) then you'll never eradicate it.

 

[Philip Watkins]

IIRC, the Government were going to licence the importation of a beetle or somesuch that munches on JK as a biological form of control.
No use to the OP of course but just an example of running around in circles.

Australia did the same with cane toads, introduced to clear some nasty in the cane fields but they turned into an even bigger problem.