Readers will be well aware of our work to control Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam along the river, at this time of year we turn our attention to a particularly aggressive invader – Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)—nicknamed ‘Godzilla weed’. The most effective treatment is to stem inject the plants with a small amount of weedkiller which then travels to the roots to kill it at source. Luckily it does not spread well through seed. This method is time consuming but uses the least amount of chemical and has proven very successful at reducing populations along the river. Charlotte and her volunteer will be out and about over the next few weeks mapping and treating.
