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The Week briefing: The thug of Japan

The Week briefing: The thug of Japan

Japanese knotweed autumn leaves

Japanese knotweed is featured in The Week magazine, published on 5th November 2016.

Japanese knotweed is often featured in the press, often with inaccurate information. The latest feature in The Week magazine makes for a good read, if you’re interested in all things Japanese knotweed, like we are!

This in-depth article on Japanese knotweed covers how it came to be introduced into the UK as well as methods to eradicate the plant.

Sent to the UK by Phillip Franz Siebold in 1850, knotweed is now found throughout the UK. It’s described by the Environment Agency as ‘indisputably the UK’s most aggressive, destructive and invasive plant”, and its rapid growth means knotweed can out-compete native species and cause structural damage to properties.

There are various ways to deal with Japanese knotweed: either through chemical treatment or physical removal. The article reinforces Environet’s opinion that physical removal is more effective than herbicide treatment. So when building works are planned, the physical removal approach is preferred to ensure all the knotweed is eradicated. On commercial sites, we would recommend our Xtract™ removal method, and in residential gardens, our Resi-Dig-Out™ is the preferred route. Knotweed removal can be completed in a matter of days, at any time of the year. Both methods are supported by insurance backed guarantees, underwritten by an A-rated insurer, providing peace of mind to both buyer and lender.

Japanese knotweed is not covered under most household insurance policies, so when it is discovered, it is an unexpected financial burden. There is now an insurance product available for property buyers concerned about the risk of knotweed. The Japanese knotweed indemnity policy provided by Countrywide Legal Indemnities covers the buyer and their lender for the cost of treatment and repairs if knotweed is subsequently discovered or recurs at the property. It also covers any legal defence expenses should the knotweed spread to a neighbouring property, as well as any loss in market value, as a result of knotweed treated under the policy, when the homeowner comes to sell the property. Premiums start from £67 for a £100,000 limit of indemnity. Get advice from your conveyancing solicitor or visit www.graftoninsurance.co.uk

To read the full article, please click here.

If you have found Japanese knotweed and would like to know what to do next, call our friendly team on 01932 868 700.

Robert Spaceman

“We had a large stand of bamboo removed, thinned, contained and replaced. The customer service has been first class. Joe and Jason were fabulous and kept me well informed at all times”.

5/5