Invasive Vegetation Management & Treatment Ltd

December 2023 Newsletter

Everyone at Invasive Vegetation Management & Treatment Ltd would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Please note that our offices close for the Christmas & New Year holiday on 22/12/2023 and we reopen on 03/01/2024

Japanese Knotweed is one of a number of invasive plants in the UK that can cause problems to your property.

• It is a large clump-forming plant, which can grow up to 3 metres tall with green heart shaped leaves measuring approximately 10-15cm long.
• The stem is bamboo-like, hollow and coloured light green with pink/red speckles.
• No viable seeds are produced in the UK as there are only female plants.
• In the summer it produces tiny white flowers.
• It produces thick and extensive roots called rhizomes which are orange in colour. The plant can regenerate from rhizome fragments as small as 0.7 gram and can remain dormant in the soil for over four years making a professional and scientific approach to its eradication vital if 100% success is to be guaranteed.
• During winter the plant dies back and leaves tall brown canes but like perennial plants its top growth is renewed each year from the rhizomes.

Why is Japanese Knotweed a Hazard to Protecting & Conserving our Natural Environment?

Nature Conservation

• Japanese Knotweed is a successful competitor. The foliage forms a dense canopy which restricts the growth and establishment of native species.
• Japanese Knotweed is able to colonize an area by sending out rhizomes. The plant eventually replaces existing vegetation.
• The dead foliage stalks persist for 2-3 years producing large quantities of debris.
• Sites designated for wildlife interest can be severely damaged.

Recreation & Landscape

• The height to which Japanese Knotweed grows can reduce visibility on roadsides and railways.
• Access for anglers and walkers along riverbanks is made more difficult through dense stands.
• In urban areas, stands of Knotweed give an untidy and unkempt appearance, trap litter which exacerbates the problem.
• In Autumn and Winter when vegetative growth has died back, bare soil is washed away, increasing soil erosion on riverbanks.

Flood Defence

• In times of flooding, dense stands impede flow and exacerbate flooding.
• Riverbank inspection is made more difficult in the Summer.
• Rapidly growing rhizomes and shoots affect the integrity of flood defence structures by breaking flood revetment blocks apart.
• In Autumn or Winter when vegetative growth has died back, bare soil is washed away, increasing soil erosion on riverbanks.

• Ground and riverbank maintenance costs are greatly increased.
• Maintenance by mowing and flailing can result in further spread of plant.

• Japanese Knotweed shoots are able to push up through asphalt, damaging pavements, car parks and other public facilities.
• Rhizomes have been recorded penetrating foundations and other walls, land drainage works and lifting interlocking concrete blocks.
• Damage is not only costly to repair but will become a recurring expense unless Knotweed is eradicated.

MaintenanceBuilt Environment

IVM's Guide to Japanese Knotweed

If you would like a free copy of our Guide to Japanese Knotweed email michael@i-v-m.co.uk to request one - Digital and hard copies available

IVM ‘FAST’ System – Foliage & Stem Treatment

A cost effective solution to your invasive vegetation problem has arrived.

Invasive Vegetation Management & Treatment Ltd will produce a tailor-made programme for your site.

IVM’s methodology, known as the IVM ‘FAST‘ System (Foliage and Stem Treatment) treats Japanese Knotweed and other invasive species using the latest herbicides and application techniques.

The ‘FAST’ System uses different herbicides at different times of the year to kill different parts of the plant. In addition to the herbicides used, products are applied to improve translocation rates, limit evaporation and assist the herbicide to adhere to the plant.

More information regarding IVM’s treatments, methodology’s and contact details can be found on our website www.knotweed-uk.com

Japanese Knotweed & Mortgages

Invasive Vegetation Management & Treatment Ltd (IVM) can offer a 10-year insured guarantee on any Japanese Knotweed eradication. This guarantee is as a result of direct consultation with the RICS.

Mortgage lenders will expect the presence of Japanese Knotweed to be noted on a residential valuation report. RICS red book guidance requires the valuer to indicate the presence of invasive vegetation. The RICS decided to consult with invasive weed experts and invited input from Japanese Knotweed companies throughout the UK.

To offer this insurance you have to be audited, scrutinised and prove that your business has expertise, good financial standing, are using appropriately qualified staff, first class customer service and comply with all statutory regulations. When accredited you are also automatically part of the Government endorsed Trustmark Scheme.

Now the good news! Detailed discussion with both the RICS and CML’s have convinced the insurance underwriters that companies accredited to such high standards were of minimal risk and a 10-year insured guarantee would be available providing and in support of a 10-year guarantee by the contracting company. It removes one of the obstacles to obtain funding as well as assisting in future sales.

Why Choose IVM?

IVM offer tailor made treatment programmes for Japanese Knotweed, Giant Knotweed, Hybrid Knotweed and Giant Hogweed. All treatments undertaken by IVM are guaranteed.

Invasive Vegetation Management & Treatment Ltd (IVM) offer guaranteed treatment of Japanese Knotweed (JK) using the advanced IVM 'FAST' System, this system uses the latest application techniques and scientific research.

The company directors have 40 years combined experience in Japanese Knotweed Treatment & Invasive Vegetation Management between them.

The company has a wealth of experience in the scientific treatment of invasive plants and can tailor a treatment programme to suit any construction programme. We pride ourselves on Health and Safety and Environmental awareness, with all operatives trained to high standards and being members of the PCA.

Invasive Vegetation Management & Treatment Ltd, 2 Stone Cross, Water Orton, Birmingham, B46 1NA

www.knotweed-uk.com
Tel: 07836 321219 or 0121 366 8916