Knotweed and other Invasive Species Reports/Removal

[WesD]

55 minutes ago, Gary Prentice said:

I thought that I'd read that the guarantees were 25 years! Not sure how anyone can guarantee that it won't turn up again for that timespan.

It’s hard, especially if you think the knotweed has been disturbed. If it has been disturbed your better saying you can’t guarantee it. 

[Gary Prentice]

I've no idea how these firms operate, but a 25 yr guarantee seems worthless. You can't reasonably expect that JKW won't be re-introduced or grow from already present currently dormant roots over that length of time. 

 

I tend to think that parts of the KW management industry resort to scaremongering and provide worthless guarantees to support ridiculous and extortionate pricing. The media hype it up and the consumer gets pressed into spending thousands of pounds trying to eradicate a plant, getting (probably) worthless guarantees when it isn't necessary- as the MOD example above.

 

Its strange how a tree report can be provided, with the Clauses that no trees can be guaranteed 100% safe, yet there seems to be a requirement to treat knotweed and guarantee 100% eradication with no further treatment required for 25 yrs!

[ArbMish]

I think you need to be careful with Knotweed, by law you have to be a licensed contractor to deal with it and it's removal. Because it's capable of regrowing from tiny tiny pieces.

 

As far as I was taught once removed arising needed to be burnt because of that risk. I can't say for sure as I'm not a licensed to deal with it.

 

You can receive an ASBO for not controlling knotweed that's on your property. There are a few strict laws when it comes to dealing with it, I think they're nation wide but it may just be in Scotland.

 

This could have all changed ..it's what I was taught in college two years ago but I can't see them changing it.

 

 

[Gary Prentice]

Good luck with burning it, it comes from volcanic regions and I've seen the rhizomes (?) growing  after being dug up and 'incinerated' on good hot bonfires.

 

The above ground parts may be burnt, but I understand that it rarely reproduces from seed anyway

[richy_B]

The 25 year guarantee isn't necessarily that it won't regrow. It is that the client will not icur financial cost / is indemnified by your and your underwriter for that period.

I treat a lot of JK and I find after 2 years with no regrowth you are unlikely to see if re-emerge. Unlikely not impossible though. I've seen patches come 'back to life' after 10 years when it's been disturbed.

[Gary Prentice]

Thanks for the explanation Richy, everyday is a school day

[Nimrod Environmental]

We specialise in Japanese Knotweed and other invasive weed eradication and have done for the last 10 years. We offer company backed warranties which allows us to monitor a site for a specified time and treat any re-growth. We are also part of INNSA (Invasive Non-native Specialists Association) and through this provide insurance backed warranties, this covers for another company to fulfil our obligations in the event that we ceased trading.

Have a look at our website for further information www.nimrodltd.co.uk

Thanks, Dan K

[Gary Prentice]

2 hours ago, Nimrod Environmental said:

We specialise in Japanese Knotweed and other invasive weed eradication and have done for the last 10 years. We offer company backed warranties which allows us to monitor a site for a specified time and treat any re-growth. We are also part of INNSA (Invasive Non-native Specialists Association) and through this provide insurance backed warranties, this covers for another company to fulfil our obligations in the event that we ceased trading.

Have a look at our website for further information www.nimrodltd.co.uk

Thanks, Dan K

So that told me

 

What's that saying? "Better to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and be proved..." If nothing else, I'll be able to explain to people the differences between just treating and using a INNSA member

[richy_B]

I think you need to be careful with Knotweed, by law you have to be a licensed contractor to deal with it and it's removal...... 

 

 

 

I don't think this is specifically correct. There isn't a license for example so a licensed contractor does not exist so cannot be a legal requirement. Works carried out by a 'qualified' person with nationally recognised certification is probably more accurate. Although that said there is no legal reason a land/home owner cannot treat JK themselves.

 

'Legally' you cannot knowingly let it spread. It is not 'illegal' to have it on your land. The issue nowadays is civil action and people making a claim against you for costs. Residents claiming costs from a neighbour for damage to a patio for example. You still need to be able to demonstrate on balance of probability the infestation started on their land and not yours. Not easy to do in all cases.

 

 

 

 

[ArbMish]

 I don't think this is specifically correct. There isn't a license for example so a licensed contractor does not exist so cannot be a legal requirement. Works carried out by a 'qualified' person with nationally recognised certification is probably more accurate. Although that said there is no legal reason a land/home owner cannot treat JK themselves.
 
'Legally' you cannot knowingly let it spread. It is not 'illegal' to have it on your land. The issue nowadays is civil action and people making a claim against you for costs. Residents claiming costs from a neighbour for damage to a patio for example. You still need to be able to demonstrate on balance of probability the infestation started on their land and not yours. Not easy to do in all cases.
 

Perhaps I was remembering wrong and you just have to be registered/qualified to remove it from site. There was definitely something along those lines. But as I said that was a coupla years ago so could do with a memory refresh

Yeah I think it says you have to 'manage' it if it's on your land or you could be served an ASBO. The ASBO bit I remember because it makes knotweed sound like a yob haha!