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Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Art Woodhouse (15th Oct 2008 - 10:25:27) Does anyone know who owns or is responsible for the land on the left at the beginning of Lynchborough Road before we get to Arundel Close?. Is it The National Trust or EHDC? To my utter horror and dread we appear to have Japanese Knotwood growing and flowering. I didn't notice it until the other day and just looked it up on the internet to make sure today and I am convinced I am right. As many will know this is a prohibited weed that is so invasive it takes over in no time and once established can never be eradicated. It grows through concrete like a knife in butter. It smothers every other plant in its path and kills it. If I am right this is very very serious. Help and advice please. [editor - sounds like we need this predator bbc.co.uk/...]

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Barry Hope (15th Oct 2008 - 11:27:00) Hi Art Worries indeed. There is a site that gives advice www.timesonline.co.uk/.. As it happens I also saw a recent programme that reported that an insect which feeds on Japanese Knotweed and nothing else and which destroys it in rapid time is being investigated and permission is being sort to release them in the UK. Apparently they have completed tests to show there is no threat to the ecology by these insects so the prospects are good but it could take a couple of years to get the permission. This may help a little but it also depends on who owns the land, maybe they need to take some action. Regards Barry

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Paul Robinson (15th Oct 2008 - 11:53:54) Yes another job for 'The Predator', and when he's finished with the Japanese Knotweed he can have a go at the Mitten Claw Crab and the American Crayfish that are currently squaring up to each other in a fight to sort out who will get first dibs at our riverbanks and native crayfish! Paul Robinson

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Art Woodhouse (15th Oct 2008 - 12:50:53) Yes thanks but the key is who owns the land?

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Dawn Hoskins (15th Oct 2008 - 13:04:18) Hi Art, The land belongs to the National Trust. Regards Dawn

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Dawn Hoskins (15th Oct 2008 - 13:11:31) www.dgsgardening.... found this link which has pictures and am just going to put my wellies on to have a look! It is next to my house so I want to find out..................

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Eneida (15th Oct 2008 - 15:14:42) What a shame it has such a nasty side to it, because reading that gardening link, there are lots of pluses too....like medicinal, edible and even converted to bio-fuel. That last one should be taken seriously IMO since it grows so quickly....you just need to find a way of containing it in a certain area.

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Art Woodhouse (16th Oct 2008 - 09:38:23) Hiya, Have now contacted The National Trust so they are aware. They say there is more behind the old Passfield Oak so its getting worse! Knowing about it and doing something about is two different things and something needs to be done fast but I am not sure The National Trust do fast! They like to consider the options carefully but I don't think we have the time. As its flowering now surely the seed heads will spread it down Lynchborough Road in no time. Art [editor - reading the web sites listed above, it appears that the plants in the UK can only propogate "vegetatively". So the fact that they are currently in flower is not a worse threat.]

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Dawn Hoskins (16th Oct 2008 - 17:35:12) Hi Art, Armed with photographs of what I was looking for, I can indeed confirm that there is LOADS of the blinking stuff and it seems to be trying to take over the woods on this side of the road. The only saving grace at the moment is the grass verge which gets mown (once in a blue moon) and Hollywater Road which should contain the vegetative spread. This is obviously going to be a great concern to anyone in the locality interested in their gardens. Lets hope the birds can't spread it 'poo bombing' us with the seeds. Did the NT give you any idea as to their plan of action? Dawn

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Sue (16th Oct 2008 - 18:25:23) If i remember correctly isn't that the problem weed on the new development at Hewshott Lane? Reading the info, the mass bulldozing etc and removal could mean hundreds of 'baby' plants spreading up anywhere, as it can be carried by rainwater!! Does anyone know if it was carried out correctly - or will Liphook be 'over grown'? And what of the re-growth for the future, as it can go down to 3meters.

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Dawn Hoskins (17th Oct 2008 - 09:31:42) I know that our NT warden is Mr Chris Webb - however I can't find his number. As this needs to be contained before it ends up in all of our gardens, I would urge you all to contact the NT about it. Contact details: Email: enquiries@thenationaltrust.org.uk Tel: 01494 528 051 [edited 21/10/08] Fax: 0844 800 4642 Address: The National Trust PO Box 39 Warrington WA5 7WD

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Art Woodhouse (17th Oct 2008 - 10:32:45) As said I have no confidence in The National Trust doing anything fast and to be fair it is not one they can resolve easily. This bug solution isn't readily available yet is it. I agree the best solution is to get in touch with with the local warden. Do you think Nikki, our local councillor, will know it? She appears to be on the ball and did a lot to sort out the installation of the footpath last year.

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Fiona (17th Oct 2008 - 18:08:57) Hello I live on Passfield Common and have just checked my garden - I have four small clumps of it. One patch is very tall and covered in seed heads. The other patches are only small and the leaves are dying back for winter. They look like some sort of harmless perennial which is why I hadn't paid much attention - we get so many surprises springing up in the garden and I had vaguely wondered what they were but they look so harmless! I will be cutting them down asap and by the sounds of it for the next three years at least!! I would imagine lots of other people already have it too without realising. Thanks for letting me know.

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Art Woodhouse (19th Oct 2008 - 18:34:11) Hi Fiona, Please read up all you can before you attack the weed. If you go about it in the wrong way and try to dig it out it can get worse and remember disposal has to be controlled as well. Just one little tiny bit of this cursed stuff is enough to start it growing another clump wherever it finds a bit of soil to grow in. Just out of interest where are you in relation my find of the weed. Are you on the south side of Passfield as well? Art

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - David Weston (20th Oct 2008 - 09:40:47) Art, Worrying about the knowtweed. I must admit to having seen it in Lynchborough Road without realising what it was. I am a member of the Nat Trust so will contact them as well - if enough of us do it, maybe they will act quickly, though it would probably be a first for them! If I find out anything I will post it here. David

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - nikki (20th Oct 2008 - 17:19:57) "weeds helpline" 0117 959 8622 or 0845 601 4523. (natural england) If you treat it with pesticides or some herbicides and then plan to dispose of it,it is likely to be classified as 'controlled waste' under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. So I think advice should be sought if you plan to treat any which maybe growing in your garden. If its untreated its not regarded as hazardous waste. The phone number for customer services at the Environment Agency is :08708 506 506

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Eneida (20th Oct 2008 - 19:21:02) Why not just eat it?? Apparently it tastes like rhubbard, so you could turn it into crumble and have it with custard and then it would be disposed of in the natural way ;) Eneida

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Dawn Hoskins (21st Oct 2008 - 09:08:41) Sorry, I put the wrong phone number! (that one is to re-new your membership). Call the NT on 01494 528 051. Cheers Dawn

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - David Weston (29th Oct 2008 - 14:58:41) Hi All, Attached a copy of the reply I have got today from National Trust. Have spoken to Chris Webb, and the patches in Passfield will soon be treated by contractors to try and kill them off. "Japanese Knotweed is a serious national problem which is currently almost impossible to eradicate. It is a highly invasive alien species which displaces our native plants and thrives particularly well along water courses. The three National Trust wardens who cover a 1,300-acre area are aware of the problem at Passfield Common and are doing their best to control it with very limited resources. However, they have been reasonably successful in containing it within a small number of known areas. Warden Chris Webb says: We are keen to know more about its exact location so that we can assess the full scale of the problem, so if any local residents would like to report Japanese Knotweed on NT land, they are welcome to contact me or a member of my team on 01428 751563 or email chris.webb@nationaltrust.org.uk I am forwarding your email on to Chris Webb. We are aware that it is really difficult to get rid of - the normal procedure is to spray and burn but if just one small root is left then it will return so you need to remain alert and repeat the procedure. Thank you once again for contacting us with this information."

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Dawn Hoskins (7th Nov 2008 - 11:45:21) I have just been having a nice chat with Chris Webb, our warden. There is a very big problem locally with boundary dumping of garden waste by the home owners that surround our NT sites. Ludshot common is particularly badly affected and this has led to three different hot spots there of the dreaded knot weed. The NT has being valiantly trying to irradiate it, but so far all methods attempted have failed. Apparently you only need to brush past it, have a shred of leaf on your clothing and you can transport the plant! So anyone walking through a patch will inadvertently spread it – possibly right to their back door. This stuff will even grow up through concrete apparently so dropping a shard of leave onto your patio will cause untold problems. Chris is sure that the knot weed in Passfield was introduced by the digger when the trench was being cleaned / maintained. Just a leaf left on the digger bucket would have been enough. Luckily the weed has not traversed the ditch [yet] and is not in danger of growing up through the road and pavement. As they cannot prove this, they will not be able to claim any money from the council and will have to fund the clean up themselves. The beetle thing that feeds off the plant is not allowed to be introduced at this point, as there are huge fears over what it will eat after the knot weed has gone….it is all a bit of an ‘’unknown’’ and careful research needs to be done. If you see a clump of knot weed, do not touch it or walk through it or let your children near it! Just make a note of it and report it straight away. The good news is that it is not spread by bird droppings or anything like that. So if you don’t go in it (and hope your children haven’t) then it shouldn’t get into your garden. The NT will be having a crack down on illegal dumping of garden waste on all of their land. Most people think it is OK to put their hedge clippings, grass cutting etc into the woods as it is all biodegradable etc, but apparently this is not the case. The byelaws prevent this and it is a fineable offence. As knot weed has being inadvertently put onto NT land by home owners dumping their clipping they are going to have to crack down and identify who is putting what – where. This is going to cost the charity very large sums of money, so local support through membership or donations would be appreciated!

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Dawn Hoskins (14th Apr 2009 - 14:40:42) The men came to mow the grass today. They ploughed through the Japanese knot weed on the left hand side - then went on to mow the verge on the right hand side. I was having a good look at all the new shoots springing up - it has certainly spread very rapidly. I imagine with council workers spreading it about on mowers it will get faster still.

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Art Woodhouse (14th Apr 2009 - 17:40:00) A disaster in the making as predicted. When did we last hear from the National Trust warden? He did promise action!!!

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Dawn Hoskins (17th Apr 2009 - 13:26:21) Had a answerphone messagel from EHDC saying it was County that did it - so not their fault / problem.

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Dawn Hoskins (1st May 2009 - 11:55:09) There are now two quite large patches of knot weed along the track between Passfield and Hill House Hill. One patch is near to the speed sign on the Passfield side of Conford, the other is close to the telephone pole just past the Conford junction on the way to Liphook. These were not there last summer so I imagine it must have arrived on the grass cutting blades. Meanwhile the patch in Lynchborough Road has grown by massive proportions this summer. All the time that mower/tractor drivers are ploughing through it with their cutting blades it can only get worse!!!!!

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - David Weston (1st May 2009 - 15:55:59) I live next door to the Knotweed in Lynchborough road and am very concerned about it spreading into my property and putting me to cost of trying to get rid of it and probably making it difficult to sell my property if I wanted to. The National Trust have assured me that the matter has been passed to their regional office who "will deal with the Knotweed". I have also left two messages for the local warden, but I am not holding my breath about a reply. I have spoken to my solicitor who has indicated that should this spread into my garden, I should be able to sue the NT for any financial loss caused by same. Maybe the thought of this might chivy them up into doing something. If anybody has any other ideas, I would be interested in hearing about them. David Weston

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Dawn Hoskins (1st May 2009 - 17:17:25) Hi Dave the problem is that the NT didn't cause it to be there - so if you tried to litigate there would be causation hurdles to establish before the courts would allow the case to go ahead. We know that the knot weed appeared shortly after the County Council workers came to clear the ditch with their diggers. I believe also that the ditch itself belongs to the County - not the NT (although I am happy to stand corrected). So all the time no one wants to own the ditch where the knot weed started from you would have a job litigating to recover costs or claim damages from either party. The verge by Conford is similarly a difficult case to prove. We know it wasn't there last year and has appeared since the track was mowed - but proving liability would be very tricky indeed. As it may have been spread by walkers brushing past, dogs walking through it or even wildlife such as foxes, badgers or birds. You only need a small fragment of the plant to be dropped in order for it to put down roots - which can easily happen in trouser turn ups etc.etc. I don't know what the answer is Dave and I agree that it is now very close to No:1. I suppose we will have to fire off letters to the environmental people and also remind County not to keep mowing it.

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Art Woodhouse (6th May 2009 - 13:39:09) No one is blaming the National Trust but surely the point here is that the National Trust were made aware of the problem last October. At the time they acknowledged the second infestation in Passfield as well. How it got there is of no consequence. The fact is they knew about it and as far as I can see have done nothing about it and it is now spreading at a frightening rate causing much concern. The stuff appears to be able to jump gaps that you wouldn't believe. I know it's not supposed to but I can see it. If its root leaders than they are travelling a long way underground. It can go through concrete so the tarmac separating it from David's garden will be no problem. I forecast it will be in David's garden before the summer is out unless we see action. Clearly what is needed is for the National Trust to apply all their expertise and no doubt experience to the problem and act before we are smothered in the stuff.

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - David Weston (8th May 2009 - 14:12:33) Have spoken to Chris Webb of the NT and they are concerned about the problem and are lining up professionals to attack the Knotweed with the appropriate chemicals. However, this cannot be done whilst it is growing as this then forces the roots to spread, which is what happened when it was treated at the wrong time last year. They will be treating it in the summer, probably July time, when it has stopped growing, and are hopeful that this with repeat treatments over a couple of years, will get rid of it. I will not hold my breath, but certainly do NOT want it in my garden!!

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - dawn (16th May 2013 - 12:17:24) Copy of email sent to chris.webb@nationaltrust.org.uk today Dear Chris, I am not sure if you are aware, but the Japanese knot weed has returned with a vengeance in Passfield. On the Lynchborough Road area it has now crossed to the other side of the ditch that was dug to assist with drainage some years ago (which probably introduced the knot weed in the first place!). The issue now is that every time the grass is cut, the knot weed will be too - thus spreading it far and wide. I know that in past years it has been treated, but unfortunately it seems to have proved ineffective. Can you give me any indication of how we should proceed? kind regards cc Parish Council

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Paula (16th May 2013 - 23:31:59) Herbicide treatment may have to be used for at least three years before Japanese knotweed stops growing back.

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - dawn (17th May 2013 - 10:07:19) Reply from Chris Webb Hi Dawn Thanks for the email and I am aware. Japanese Knotweed is one of those things that you just have to keep on treating and even then it doesn’t go away. Its on the agenda for this year and this will be the third year of spraying but have no illusions that it will come back again. It does need to grow and be in full leaf for the best chance of having any effect with the chemical. I’ve got several places where there is the same problem. All the best Chris Webb Head Warden National Trust Ludshott & Selborne East Hampshire Wardens Base Coopers Field Tunbridge Lane Bramshott Hampshire GU30 7RF

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - pam (17th May 2013 - 13:19:48) When we moved into our property 37 years ago, at least a third of the one acre garden was covered with Japanese Knotweed. It is a most pernicious weed and only equalled by Ragwort and Ground Elder. Over the years we tried digging it up and strimming which did help but not cure. On advice from a wise gardener, In the last five years I have been meticulously painting the leaves (when they are in full leaf) with Roundup which is a systemic weedkiller. It takes the poison down to the roots and as long as you don't put it on neighbouring plants, they will not be affected nor will the grass. We have all but eradicated it, but it is a long, slow job.

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Inked M (18th May 2013 - 07:04:03) I have many years experience dealing with Japanese knotweed on the railways and it can take onwards of up to 5 years to get rid of it all. there is also 3 clumps growing on the slip road going into Liphook which they have tied to treat over the last 5 years but still comes back. Do not touch or walk on it and certainly do not pick or cut any it will just spread like wild fire. Glyphosate will kill it if you have some in your garden but it will take a few years to destroy it all and then you will have to get a contractor to remove it as you can not transport it. I have seen it come up through someones kitchen floor.

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Dawn Hoskins (12th May 2017 - 17:01:51) I'm bumping this up, as the knotweed is the most vigorous this year than I have ever seen it. It has jumped the drainage ditch completely as the blokes keep mowing it (and spreading it on the blades to the next area for cutting!). There is also a brand new patch coming along the path. Please, if you can contact the NT about it please do. I am positive that it was not treated last summer, and without treating it every year we will be in big trouble.

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Bush (14th May 2017 - 17:35:57) Infestation in between the ponds by Foley Manor today.

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Stu (17th May 2017 - 12:04:50) Dawn, It's definitely the worst I've seen it along Lynchborough Road, more worryingly, rather than several large patches, it has moved to many different areas. There's even a stem coming through the tarmac pathway. We've contacted the N.T., but more support from local residents would help. We need to get onto them about it, or it will be in the rear gardens soon. stu

Re: Japanese Knotweed in Passfield - Dawn Hoskins (17th May 2017 - 14:06:48) I did have a reply from the NT It was NOT treated last year - which is very disappointing. I'm sure that is why it has become so out of control this year. I think we should organise a walk around so we can 'map' the places it is at it's worst. This will help the NT to deal with it and not miss any bad patches. Are you up for that?

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