{"id":62103,"date":"2019-08-23T12:28:39","date_gmt":"2019-08-23T11:28:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=62103"},"modified":"2019-08-23T12:28:39","modified_gmt":"2019-08-23T11:28:39","slug":"invasive-weeds-flowering-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/building-control-news\/invasive-weeds-flowering-season\/62103\/","title":{"rendered":"Invasive weeds set for flowering season"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Dr Peter Fitzsimons, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.property-care.org\/homeowners\/invasive-weed-control\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Invasive Weed Control Group<\/a> technical manager of national trade body the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.property-care.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Property Care Association<\/a>, explains the importance of being alert to alien plant species at this time of year<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">While the flowering season has now passed for many native plants across the UK, in this country many non-native invasive plants work to a different timescale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Late summer is the best time to be on alert to a range of \u2018alien\u2019 species, as they become easier to identify once they start flowering at this time of year. Landowners have statutory duties to manage these species, which are all listed under <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nonnativespecies.org\/index.cfm?pageid=67\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act<\/a>, either for ecological or health and safety reasons or \u2013 in the case of Japanese knotweed \u2013 due to direct effects on property.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Growth patterns<br \/>\n<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">While many native plants reach maturity, flower and die-back in spring or early summer, the three most common non-native invasive species affecting the UK come to maturity in the late summer season. August and September are the time when Japanese knotweed, Giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam all come in flower.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">And while the impact of Japanese knotweed is well documented among landowners and property professionals, there are compelling reasons for the other two invasive weeds to be on their radar too.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Plant facts<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Japanese knotweed is rarely out of the spotlight and despite the fact there are clear pathways to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/building-control-news\/invasive-weed-control-shares-experience\/33030\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">manage and control this weed<\/a>, all too often we encounter situations where homeowners are portrayed as living under siege with the plant.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Since the PCA formed the Invasive Weed Control Group in 2012, we\u2019ve always maintained the position that this plant is not a destroyer of buildings and that it should just be regarded as any other type of property issue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">However, its presence can impact on the ability to gain a mortgage and on the development cost of land.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">And we also need to consider that Japanese knotweed is deemed a nuisance by the UK government, and the EU Commission too, and the Court of Appeal ruling against Network Rail in July (2018) means landowners may be able to claim damages if Japanese knotweed encroaches on their property.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">As a result, being aware of its presence is vital, and late summer is the point where it is most evident. Giant hogweed is also of concern, for different reasons. The plant\u2019s sap is extremely toxic to the skin in sunlight, making it a danger to public health. Anyone who comes into contact with any part of the plant, and is then exposed to sunlight, can suffer symptoms including severe discomfort and blistering to the skin. We hear of people each summer who are injured by this plant, particularly during the August holidays. In some cases, the blistering can be so severe that urgent medical attention is required.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The matter is made particularly serious as this can become a long-term condition, which can recur over a period of years, with the rash and the itching returning again if skin is exposed to sunlight. As well as the public safety issue, Giant hogweed\u2019s ability to spread far and wide can also really impact on the ecology of an area, as it can cut off the ability of native plants to thrive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Finally, the third invasive, non-native species of note is Himalayan balsam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This plant can form dense colonies that shade out and suppress the growth of native plants, reducing biodiversity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">It can outcompete native plants with similar habitat preferences, leave riverbanks exposed to erosion following winter dieback and even create an increased risk of flooding in summer due to constricted water flow, siltation of watercourses and increasing bank instability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Of further concern is the fact it can attract pollinators away from native species.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Identification<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Fortunately, none of these plants are difficult to spot at this time of year as they produce tall, dense strands of vegetation, often excluding other species with their aggressive growth habit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">They also make detection even easier by producing distinctive and \u2018showy\u2019 flowers from late July through to September.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Members of the PCA\u2019s Invasive Weed Control Group can assist with identification and treatment strategies to ensure that the issue is managed professionally.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The association can also support property professionals, such as surveyors, to access training and information to ensure they are aware of the key issues, not just in summer, but all year round. Regardless of the time of year, landowners and property professionals need to make informed choices when it comes to identification.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Resources<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">To support this, the PCA has pulled together expertise from across the sector to produce a definitive guide, which puts invasive non-native weeds, even many less common ones, on the radar.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We produced Practical Management of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.property-care.org\/professionals\/invasive-weed-control\/manual-management-invasive-weeds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Invasive Non-<\/a><\/span><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.property-care.org\/professionals\/invasive-weed-control\/manual-management-invasive-weeds\/\">Native Weeds<\/a> In Britain and Ireland to give detailed insight into 38 plant species individually.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The vast majority of the plants featured derive almost exclusively from species listed in Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act and others of concern to the European Union in the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The 128-page manual acknowledges and builds on guidance provided by organisations including the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nonnativespecies.org\/home\/index.cfm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GB Non-Native Species Secretariat<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/organisations\/environment-agency\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Environment Agency<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sepa.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scottish Environment Protection Agency<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/naturalresources.wales\/splash?orig=%2f&amp;lang=cy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Natural Resources Wales<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.doeni.gov.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Department of the Environment Northern Ireland<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Recently, the PCA has also launched a new initiative to support identification \u2013 bringing together live invasive weeds specimens in a controlled environment for training purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Our specially commissioned \u2018non-native\u2019 greenhouse is home to 20 plant species and varieties, being put on show as part of our training and development programme.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The greenhouse helps those on our training programmes to accurately identify invasive, non-native weeds in a controlled environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">By curating these plants in one location, we can accelerate learning regarding weed species. More information and booking details can be found\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.property-care.org\/training-qualifications\/training-courses\/invasive-plant-identification\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s2\">here<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">, while an order form for the Practical Management of Invasive Non-Native Weeds In Britain and Ireland manual can be downloaded <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.property-care.org\/professionals\/invasive-weed-control\/manual-management-invasive-weeds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s2\">here<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dr Peter Fitzsimons<\/strong><br \/>\nTechnical Manager<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.property-care.org\/\">Property Care Association<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.property-care.org\/homeowners\/invasive-weed-control\/\">Invasive Weed Control Group<\/a><br \/>\nTel: +44 (0)844 375 4301<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:pca@property-care.org\">pca@property-care.org<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.property-care.org\/\">www.property-care.org<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"mk-custom-module-container\">\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr Peter Fitzsimons, Invasive Weed Control Group technical manager of national trade body the Property Care Association, explains the importance of being alert to alien plant species at this time of year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[306],"tags":[279,967,657,33369,731],"stakeholder_rel_tag":[],"contributor_rel_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-62103","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-building-control-news","7":"tag-environment","8":"tag-eu","9":"tag-invasive-weed-control","10":"tag-pbc-today-august-2019","11":"tag-pca"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.9 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Invasive weeds set for flowering season<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Dr Peter Fitzsimons, Invasive Weed Control Group technical manager, explains the importance of being alert to alien plant species at this time of year\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/building-control-news\/invasive-weeds-flowering-season\/62103\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Invasive weeds set for flowering season\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Dr Peter Fitzsimons, Invasive Weed Control Group technical manager, explains the importance of being alert to alien plant species at this time of year\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/building-control-news\/invasive-weeds-flowering-season\/62103\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Planning, Building &amp; 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