AN interactive map has highlighted hotspots of a destructive plant across Halton.
Japanese knotweed is an intrusive and hard to eradicate plant which is infamous for causing damage to property.
It begins to grow in March or April, depending on local ground temperature, reaching up to three metres in height by mid-summer.
Homeowners spending more time in their gardens this spring may notice purple or red asparagus-like shoots emerging from the ground.
They grow into lush green shrubs with heart or shovel-shaped leaves and pink-flecked stems, but the plant can push up through cracks in concrete, driveways, patios, paths, drains and even the cavity walls of homes.
This can reduce a property’s value by 10 per cent and make it difficult to sell, unless a professional treatment plan is in place with an insurance-backed guarantee to satisfy mortgage lenders.
To track the plant’s existence across Halton, plant expert Environet has created an online interactive map.
Residents can help in the fight against knotweed by reporting suspicious plants using the heatmap’s ‘add sighting’ feature and attaching a photo to be verified by experts.
Mat Day, regional director at Environet, said: “Knowledge is power when it comes to Japanese knotweed, and this heatmap is invaluable to homeowners and buyers who want to assess the risk in their local area.
“With the stamp duty holiday extended and lockdown restrictions beginning to ease, the property market is busier than ever – but failing to carry out the appropriate checks for knotweed can turn out to be an expensive mistake.
“Despite its fearsome reputation, with professional help the plant can be dealt with and the value of a property largely restored.
“I would urge anyone buying or selling a property, or homeowners wishing to preserve the value of their home, to be vigilant for signs of spring growth and check Exposed to see whether they live in a high-risk area.”
Japanese knotweed arrived in the UK in the 1840s in a box of Chinese and Japanese plant species delivered to Kew Gardens.
It grows at the incredible rate of around 10cm a day from May until July and it can lie dormant but alive underground for up to 20 years.
Approximately £166million is spent each year on treating the plant in the UK, with government estimates predicting it would cost £1.5billion to fully clear nationwide.
To view the interactive map or report a sighting, visit environetuk.com/exposed-japanese-knotweed-heat-map
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