Newport and Vale of Glamorgan among Wales' knotweed hotspots
Japanese knotweed is considered one of the most invasive and destructive plants in the UK. Known for its rapid growth and aggressive root system, it can reach up to three metres underground and seven metres horizontally, often pushing through concrete, tarmac, driveways, drains and even cavity walls.
While it rarely causes structural damage directly, its presence can significantly reduce property value by around 5% on average and complicate the process of selling or securing a mortgage. Legal disputes between neighbours are not uncommon when the plant spreads across property boundaries.
Knotweed is legally classified as a controlled plant under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. While having it on your land isn't illegal, allowing it to spread especially into the wild or onto neighbouring properties can result in prosecution or enforcement action.
Using data from their interactive heatmap Exposed, the company revealed the locations across the UK with the most verified knotweed sightings and Wales is home to some of the highest concentrations.
In total, Newport city recorded 1,747 verified sightings, while Rogerstone alone saw 268 cases, making the area one of the most affected nationwide. The Vale of Glamorgan had 434 reports, and Pembrokeshire saw 1,943, with 0.46 sightings per square mile still higher than the average in England.
The invasive plant, which thrives in spring and summer, can cause serious structural issues if left unmanaged. While severe damage is rare, it can reduce a property's value by around 5% and lead to disputes if it spreads between properties. Environet's data shows Wales has 3.9 knotweed sightings per square mile, compared to 1.1 in England.
Emily Grant, director at Environet, said:
'By mapping verified sightings, we're helping people understand the level of risk in their local area and encouraging early identification and treatment."
She added that this time of year makes knotweed easy to spot, with its heart-shaped leaves and bamboo-like stems. The company offers free identification if members of the public email a photograph to their experts.
The heatmap, which draws from over 100,000 verified cases, allows users to enter their postcode to check local infestations, and even add new sightings with photos to aid nationwide awareness and treatment.
Other Welsh areas in the top 10 include:
Cardiff: 949
Swansea: 936
Llanelli: 693
Neath: 396
More rural counties such as Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Carmarthenshire also saw hundreds of sightings.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Expert's three gardening jobs you must do to make sure roses bloom longer
There are plenty of gardening jobs to do at this time of year, but taking a little time to tend to roses now can make a big difference in the longer term. Garden enthusiasts, take note - before the summer sun sets for good, there's a blooming opportunity to extend the life of your rose blooms. Alan Down, a green-fingered guru with half a century of cultivating expertise and founder of Down to Earth, advises that properly tended roses could flourish well into the cosier days of mid to late autumn. He emphasised the importance of July rose care, stating: "July rose care often gets overlooked. But a little effort now will reap dividends that in many roses leads to prolonged flowering." READ MORE: Gardeners told to use 'unusual' item to stop dust build-up on peace lilies As the balmy late summer months roll in, it's prime time to keep an eagle eye on your roses due to the increased activity of aphids, spider mites, Japanese beetles, and greenflies on the prowl and keen on making your roses their target. By sparing just five minutes each day to tend to your prized roses until the cusp of August, you can help ensure they stay bountiful and even coax out blooms that would otherwise be waving goodbye much sooner, reports the Express. Feed the roses Firstly, he urged gardeners to feed those hungry roses. Alan advised: "Roses are hungry plants and respond well to being given more feed now. This is especially so if your garden has hungry light soil. The main feeding time is of course during winter. But a top-up at this time of the year will work wonders!". To feed your roses most effectively, look for a balanced fertiliser with equal measures of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. However, those passionate about petals might consider specially formulated rose feeds or organic options involving fish parts and bone meal to really let their roses revel. Encourage your roses to keep on blooming Simply pop out to your garden and remove any wilting petals from your roses to encourage the growth of longer-lasting blooms. Alan explained: "It's okay to just nip off each browning flower so as to stop the plant wasting energy on seed production. "But it's better to cut back into that flowering stem too. Aim to cut back the stem to remove at least two leaves as well as the fading flower. This should stimulate fresh strong growth that will grow flower buds at its top." Stay vigilant with rose disease management One particularly pervasive affliction is black spot, a fungal infection that thrives in humid climates and can be identified by big circular purple marks on yellowing rose leaves. Be on the lookout for other conditions such as powdery mildew, which presents as a white dusting on leaves, potentially causing them to wilt, and rust, recognised as an orange residue underneath the foliage. Promoting good air flow around your roses, watering from the base, deadheading, and feeding them well markedly decreases the likelihood of encountering these summer woes. Alan remarked: "Well-pruned and well-fed roses are in better shape to resist this attack. But regular sprays that coat new shoots in a protective layer will go a long way to preventing your bushes from blackspot, powdery mildew and rust attack. So don't let up on the spraying now if you want more colourful and sweetly scented roses growing on you till autumn!".
South Wales Argus
17 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Newport and Vale of Glamorgan among Wales' knotweed hotspots
Why Japanese Knotweed is a Problem Japanese knotweed is considered one of the most invasive and destructive plants in the UK. Known for its rapid growth and aggressive root system, it can reach up to three metres underground and seven metres horizontally, often pushing through concrete, tarmac, driveways, drains and even cavity walls. While it rarely causes structural damage directly, its presence can significantly reduce property value by around 5% on average and complicate the process of selling or securing a mortgage. Legal disputes between neighbours are not uncommon when the plant spreads across property boundaries. Knotweed is legally classified as a controlled plant under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. While having it on your land isn't illegal, allowing it to spread especially into the wild or onto neighbouring properties can result in prosecution or enforcement action. Using data from their interactive heatmap Exposed, the company revealed the locations across the UK with the most verified knotweed sightings and Wales is home to some of the highest concentrations. In total, Newport city recorded 1,747 verified sightings, while Rogerstone alone saw 268 cases, making the area one of the most affected nationwide. The Vale of Glamorgan had 434 reports, and Pembrokeshire saw 1,943, with 0.46 sightings per square mile still higher than the average in England. The invasive plant, which thrives in spring and summer, can cause serious structural issues if left unmanaged. While severe damage is rare, it can reduce a property's value by around 5% and lead to disputes if it spreads between properties. Environet's data shows Wales has 3.9 knotweed sightings per square mile, compared to 1.1 in England. Emily Grant, director at Environet, said: 'By mapping verified sightings, we're helping people understand the level of risk in their local area and encouraging early identification and treatment." She added that this time of year makes knotweed easy to spot, with its heart-shaped leaves and bamboo-like stems. The company offers free identification if members of the public email a photograph to their experts. The heatmap, which draws from over 100,000 verified cases, allows users to enter their postcode to check local infestations, and even add new sightings with photos to aid nationwide awareness and treatment. Other Welsh areas in the top 10 include: Cardiff: 949 Swansea: 936 Llanelli: 693 Neath: 396 More rural counties such as Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Carmarthenshire also saw hundreds of sightings.
South Wales Argus
21 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
How to remove Japanese knotweed before you get an ASBO
Gardening is one of those tasks that we Brits love-hate, but ignoring Japanese Knotweed could result in 'severe legal consequences.' Experts at Japanese Knotweed Ltd warn that allowing invasive weeds such as Japanese knotweed to grow, could even pose a risk of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) or substantial fines. Can you get fined for Japanese knotweed? Ignoring even the slightest spread of this highly destructive weed, or failing to manage contaminated soil, could cost homeowners up to £5,000 in fines. Under reformed government legislation, a Community Protection Notice (CPN) – commonly known as an ASBO – can now be issued to individuals or organisations who fail to control Japanese knotweed, deeming such inaction as "unreasonable conduct" that negatively impacts the quality of life in a neighbourhood. Jennifer Holmes at Japanese Knotweed Ltd, said: 'One of the most asked questions we hear is; 'What damage can knotweed cause?' and knotweed takes advantage of any weaknesses in buildings, structures and underground infrastructure. 'If there's a tiny fracture or crack it'll grow through it - expanding that crack to cause potentially serious damage. 'We've seen concrete broken up, pipes smashed to pieces and even knotweed growing through cracks in walls to invade a kitchen - yes it grew through a crack in the wall and appeared inside a kitchen cupboard. 'It's super important to catch knotweed before it gets to this stage, often it's undetectable to an untrained eye - that's why calling in a specialist surveyor is your best defence.' What is a ASBO (CPN)? Failure to control Japanese knotweed can lead to a Community Protection Notice (CPN). A CPN could be used after a mandatory written warning has been served beforehand to inform people to take action. Breach of any requirement of a CPN, without reasonable excuse, would be a criminal offence, subject to a fixed penalty notice. On summary conviction, an individual would be liable to a fine of up to £2,500. Japanese Knotweed Ltd advises that you 'act fast' if you suspect you have knotweed in your garden – or if its even its coming through from an adjoining neighbour's garden. How to remove Japanese knotweed? Control methods, such as herbicide management plans or excavation, should be implemented promptly to prevent further spread and avoid legal issues. Japanese Knotweed Ltd specialises in the identification, treatment, and offers professional legal guidance concerning Japanese knotweed. UK landowners can also apply for Land Remediation Relief on works carried out - which is a valuable tax relief giving back thousands. Recommended reading: What is Japanese knotweed The invasive plant is relentlessly durable, fast-growing and can cause damage to nearby structures. Japanese knotweed is most visible during the summer months, particularly in late summer and early autumn when it flowers. However, it's also identifiable in other seasons, with distinct characteristics in spring and winter.
