Here at The Knotweed Specialists, we are regularly approached by concerned homeowners asking if DIY methods for removing Japanese knotweed actually work. ‘Will burning kill Japanese knotweed?’ is a common question, and we’re here to give you an honest answer.
Burning will NOT kill Japanese knotweed. Setting fire to Japanese knotweed, especially when the stems are brittle and dry, will certainly produce a good bonfire, and it will reduce the waste from the plant, but it will only kill what you can see above ground.
The rhizomes underground remain unharmed. Japanese knotweed can withstand extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. It is hardy enough to withstand many herbicides, with only a schematic approach using glyphosate herbicides combined having success.
The Knotweed Specialists are members of the Property Care Association. Our high standards of excellence and commitment to quality in the field of invasive plant control mean we are proud members of this industry-leading organisation.
Burning Japanese Knotweed Waste Safely
Important: Burning garden waste carries a serious fire risk. Flames can spread to nearby fences, buildings, trees and plants.
Although burning won’t kill Japanese knotweed, many landowners use this method to dispose of the enormous amount of unsightly waste left behind by a Japanese knotweed infestation. In just one season, Japanese knotweed can reach 10 feet in height! As the growing season draws to a close, this aggressive perennial dies back, leaving a mass of hard, brittle brown stems. The waste can block drains and waterways, suffocate wildlife and vegetation – in short, it causes a real problem.
There are situations where burning the waste may prove beneficial.
- To reduce the waste after cutting or herbicide treatment.
- To reduce the mass before bagging it up to dispose of at a licensed facility.
However, Japanese knotweed is controlled waste, and there are legal and environmental factors to consider before burning. If you are a business, you must:
- Obtain authorisation from the Environmental Health Officer at your local council.
- Get a ‘burning waste in the open’ exemption.
- Tell the Environment Agency a week before you burn it.
- Not cause a nuisance.
The rules for individuals are slightly simpler. You should check with your local council and ensure that no further contamination occurs as a result of your action.
Japanese knotweed must be burned near the infestation to prevent it from spreading onto healthy soil. The remaining material should be buried or disposed of through a registered waste carrier at a licensed disposal site.
The Knotweed Specialists are experts in the field of problem plants. We can accurately identify invasive species and offer a full, insurance-backed service to treat an infestation. If you think you have Japanese knotweed on your land, please send us a picture and we will get back to you straight away. Don’t take risks treating an invasion yourself; contact the professionals.
How To Eradicate Japanese Knotweed
A large, damaging Japanese knotweed infestation generally requires a two-pronged approach to its management and eventual removal.
Herbicide Treatment
Use a glyphosate-based herbicide treatment during late summer to early autumn, when the plant is beginning to die back, and feeding nutrients back to the rhizomes. Also, try an early application in spring to weaken the plant over the growing season.
Foliar spraying can be effective as the herbicide is sprayed onto the leaves and absorbed back to the roots.
Injecting herbicide into the stem is also effective, but very time-consuming in a large patch.
Excavation and Disposal
Physically digging out the plant and rhizomes is hard work, but often necessary to thoroughly remove a large spread of Japanese knotweed.
The excavated material is classed as controlled waste and must be disposed of at a licensed waste facility. Extreme care must be taken to prevent contamination of nearby land. Every part of the plant must be removed for a successful treatment, as Japanese knotweed can regrow from the tiniest fragment of rhizome.
When dealing with a tricky specimen like Japanese knotweed, it’s wise to contact a professional contractor. Japanese knotweed is notoriously difficult to eradicate and allowing it to spread by failing to treat it correctly carries severe legal consequences. Landowners can be prosecuted by their neighbours, handed fines and face criminal as well as civil action
A Japanese knotweed contractor will expertly control and manage the infestation, usually by following a Japanese knotweed management plan. Look for a contractor offering an insurance-backed guarantee. This means they will return to retreat future infestations. Also look for PCA accreditation. This ensures industry-leading methods will be used and is a guarantee of professionalism and best practice.
Contact The Knotweed Specialists if you have a harmful plant invasion like Japanese knotweed within your boundaries. Our expert team will eradicate the plant safely, working within the relevant safety guidelines. We are PCA certified, giving you complete peace of mind. Knotweed Specialists are your trusted contractor, having successfully treated Ragwort, Japanese knotweed, Giant knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Bindweed invasions nationwide.
