Helpful Information and Contacts

Local Councillors : Karen McCarthy, Brigid Jones. Member of Parliament for Selly Oak Steve McCabe

Birmingham University Contacts

…is a highly invasive perennial plant. Imported to botanic gardens in Britain during the Victorian era, it has spread widely and is now a ‘controlled waste’ which requires disposal at licensed landfill sites. Fly tipping any material that contains Japanese knotweed is a criminal offence that can be punishable with up to 2 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine on indictment.

In winter the plant dies back to ground level but by early summer the bamboo-like stems emerge from rhizomes deep underground to shoot to over 2.1m (7ft) high, suppressing all other plant growth. The rhizomes can travel for many metres, spreading the infestation widely.

Japanese Knotweed has been found on a number of sites in Selly Park and SPPOA encourages property owners to be on the lookout for the plant in their gardens. If you do discover it, please don’t ignore it because it will inevitably spread.

Whilst it is not illegal to have Japanese knotweed in your garden, you must prevent it becoming a nuisance in your neighbourhood. Council officers and police can use Community Protection Notices to stop or prevent people allowing growth of Japanese Knotweed if it is causing problems and spreading onto other people’s property. Individuals who ignore control orders will have committed a criminal offence and can be fined up to £2,500.

Infestations are very hard to remove by hand or eradicate with chemicals. The root system can extend to a depth of three metres. Homeowners may attempt to control a small, isolated clump, but this is not recommended. A skilled specialist company will ensure eradication and be registered to dispose of the plant waste at licenced landfill sites. Herbicide treatment involves 5-year management plans with spraying for 2 or 3 years and further monitoring, as the plant can survive long periods of dormancy. Excavation offers a speedier resolution, but 2 years monitoring is still necessary.

In addition to eradicating the plant, specialised professional companies:

• Assist in plant identification
• Carry out surveys to assess the impact and spread of the rhizomes.
• Report on risk for mortgage purposes and suggest treatment plans
• Offer insurance-backed guarantees.

If you are selling your property, you are required to state whether Japanese knotweed is present through a TA6 Property Information Form used for conveyancing which is filled out by property owners and given to prospective buyers. Failing to answer truthfully on this form can result in a claim of misrepresentation being put against you, and lead to a sale falling through. If it is present, you are required to provide a management plan for its eradication from a professional company.

Identifying Japanese Knotweed

The appearance of Japanese knotweed changes with the seasons, so it is important to note that when you are checking for Japanese knotweed, you should bear in mind the time of year. The plant can grow to about two or three metres if left unattended. Japanese knotweed is most easily identified during the spring and summer months when you will find:

• Red shoots emerging in spring that look like asparagus.
• Leaves which are shield or shovel-shaped.
• Stems that resemble bamboo canes with purple speckles.
• Small, cream-coloured flowers developing towards the end of summer.

In the autumn, the leaves will start to go yellow and wilt as winter approaches. The stems will change to a darker brown before the plant becomes dormant in winter when it becomes trickier to spot. Things to look out for then are:

• Brown, brittle canes left standing.
• Distinctive crowns in the ground.
• Scorched areas of grass and bare patches of earth.
• Smaller plants with distinctive zig zag stem distribution.