Introducing invasive weeds

Invasive weeds are an eyesore, an inconvenience and, in some cases, a danger. Some plants can cause serious irritation to skin upon contact and even anaphylaxis.

But what happens if they’re left, and allowed to grow untreated? The truth is – they will cause even more issues. See how invasive weeds – if ignored – can become progressively worse for your property.

Introducing invasive weeds

So, what are invasive weeds? Quite simply, they’re weeds with a tendency to spread very quickly and aggressively to an extent which can damage their surroundings and pose a threat to the structure of buildings.

Japanese Knotweed, for instance, has a strong, rapidly-growing network of roots – known as ‘rhizomes’ – which can reach three metres below the ground and seven metres around the plant. Described by the Environment Agency as ‘indisputably the UK’s most aggressive, destructive and invasive plant’, and can grow at the astonishing rate of 10cm a day, or even up to 20cm at its most prolific! This stretching growth can penetrate walls, drainage and even house foundations. Needless to say, unless it’s treated it simply gets worse.

With this reputation as the most aggressive and destructive plant in the UK, the presence of Japanese Knotweed – along with other invasive weed species – can have a serious impact on the value of a property, making it very difficult to sell or mortgage.

A developing problem

This is the case, too, with other invasive weeds, such as Giant Hogweed. Growing up to 20 feet in height, the weed has phototoxic sap. If it gets onto the skin, it removes any UV protection and can cause serious inflammation and burning in the sun. The risk of this becomes far greater as it spreads.

Giant Hogweed seeds disperse easily by wind, animals, water – or even by humans incorrectly attempting to remove the plant – and when spread, the seeds establish quickly into more Giant Hogweed. That’s why one of the first steps in controlling it is stopping the spread of seeds.

Harder to remove

Understandably, as these weeds spread through gardens or public spaces, they become much harder to remove. Removing weeds is quite literally a case of ‘nipping it in the bud’. The secret is to identify the problem early otherwise you could have a big problem on your hands – another reason why invasive weed management is so important for commercial properties.

Don’t wait – act today

Having problems with invasive weeds on your commercial property? Valley Provincial can provide a swift and effective solution and invasive weed management. We offer a wide range of landscaping and maintenance services for commercial sites that can make your life a whole lot easier – as well as protecting the value and safety of your property. Contact us today to discuss your needs and how we can provide a solution – before it gets any worse.