Spring has come early for Japanese knotweed in Plymouth this year! Much sooner than expected thanks to climate change!
Japanese knotweed in the South of England
Japanese knotweed has surfaced near the River Plym in Plymouth, Devon, nearly two weeks early. As the UK’s most invasive species, Japanese knotweed usually waits until early April to emerge, when the ground is a toasty 4 degrees... It seems climate change had other ideas this year.
In fact, this new year (2022) has been the warmest on record in the UK according to studies by the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI). And it seems the South of England is particularly affected by Japanese knotweed because the weather in this region is much milder compared to the rest of the UK. Mild weather gives invasive species like Japanese knotweed the opportunity to thrive; so, Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, watch out for knotweed!
Climate change as seen by plant experts
Half a decade ago, Japanese knotweed would never have emerged from hibernation so soon, but warmer winters and fewer frosts now make it possible for the pest to spring up early. Indeed, research from this year’s New Year Plant Hunt (BSBI, 2022) shows how our plants are changing with a decade of warmer weather. This year, 669 plants were found in bloom and around 40% of them were invasive!
And as you know, invasive weed number one, Japanese knotweed remains a problem year after year, but what can you do to help?
Get Japanese knotweed removed ASAP
The UK is getting hotter, allowing more plant species to grow bigger and “badder”. You don’t need a PHD in climate change to realise Japanese knotweed will become more and more of a costly challenge, to both residential and commercial landowners, as each year passes. So don’t ignore it!
If left untreated, Japanese knotweed can damage your property, reduce your home’s value, ruin your mortgage and leave you liable.
Whether you’re in Devon or Durham, Suffolk or South Wales, we have the solution to your knotweed problem – contact us today.
