Latest news with #HimalayanBalsam
BBC News
20-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Rust fungus used to tackle invasive Himalayan balsam in Yorkshire trial
A trial to tackle the invasive Himalayan balsam plant using a fungal infection has shown "early success".Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) said the plant, which has a native range in India and Pakistan, is one of the UK's "most pervasive and iconic invasive species".The trial, at locations in West and North Yorkshire, is using a pathological rust fungus also found in the Himalayas to tackle the plant's said plants previously had to be manually removed to control the spread, which is a very labour-intensive process. The organisation, which leads the Yorkshire Invasive Species Forum, said the weed was "instantly recognisable" from its tall stems and pink flowers, and it is often found down riverbanks, road and rail plant causes riverbank erosion and grows up to 9.8 ft (3 m) high, smothering other native plant species nearby, the YWT said. Rust fungus was released in summer 2024 in Hertfordshire by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and in West Defra funding has also seen a "successful" release at Wheldrake Ings nature reserve near York, the trust said. The National Trust, which runs Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge, said it was "delighted" that rust fungus was "thriving" Holdsworth, National Trust countryside manager, said early results had been "very encouraging"."We're excited to monitor how the fungus continues to suppress balsam growth in the coming seasons," she Baxendale, YWT project officer, said the charity had spent around 700 hours across two months in 2025 manually removing it."We spend a lot of time managing Himalayan balsam infestations both on and off our reserves," he said. "It's a difficult task given its sheer quantity and how hard it is to reach."The rust fungus survived the Yorkshire winter, YWT said, and in spring it "naturally reinfected" this year's Himalayan balsam Baxendale said it was "a truly exciting and game-changing opportunity for managing this highly invasive and destructive species". Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Glasgow Times
21-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
River restoration works in Lennoxtown given approval
East Dunbartonshire Council's planning committee discussed an internally submitted planning application which proposed the work, which is part of a larger project to restore the ecological and physical condition of the river, which is a tributary of the River Kelvin. The works include the removal of hard banking at five locations, which will allow the river to flood more naturally, improving the habitat for wildlife and the general condition of the river. Sections of embankment are also to be removed, which will allow the river to inundate its floodplain on a more natural cycle, every one or two years. This will improve the transfer of sediments and reduce the amount of silt in the water, benefiting the growth of rare habitat such as wetlands and wet woodland. Two shallow ponds, known as scrapes, will be formed between the river and the John Muir Way path. These will improve water retention in the floodplain and create wetlands for the benefit of wildlife. READ MORE: New plan for landmark city centre building - here are the details Large wooden structures will be placed to stabilise the banks, extending at least eight metres into the river channel, again supporting the transportation of sediment. One relic of the area's industrial past will be removed, that being the remains of the collapsed Graystanes Weir. It has been targeted as it is causing erosion along the banks of the river and putting the John Muir Way path at risk while also obstructing fish migration. The safety of the Strathkelvin Railway Path is also currently under threat due to erosion of the north bank of the river, so a protective wooden structure will be installed. This will consist of two tiers of tree trunks with root plates. A smaller structure will also be erected on the south side of the river where bank erosion has resulted in the loss of some farmland and the landowner requested assistance. Tree management is also an element of this planned work, with selected tree felling and planting as well as the removal of invasive plant species such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Rhododendrons. A report to the committee from council officers recommended granting permission for the works, subject to a list of conditions, but the council had also received 73 objections during the application's consultation period. READ MORE: Are refugees given priority for social housing in Glasgow? Many of the objectors cited concerns over flood risk to properties with 77 points about this listed in the report, while other issues raised related to the impact on ancient woodland, the effect on habitat and wildlife, risks of spreading invasive species to other areas, risk of contamination due to the presence of pollutants from the area's industrial past, wider aspects of health and safety, the effect on nearby footpaths, opposition to removing the weir, the handling of the planning process, and more. As the committee considered the report, Councillor Paul Ferretti (SNP, Bishopbriggs North & Campsie) moved to refuse the application while convener Callum McNally (Labour, Lenzie & Kirkintilloch South) supported the recommendation in the report that it should be granted subject to conditions. Part of the report read: 'The proposed development will to an extent change the character of the site and of the woodland that it contains, including the Ancient Woodland, over the longer term, in view of the proposed river restoration works. 'However, it is considered that this change in character will have a positive impact on the site and of the natural environment that it contains, in terms of improving its resilience to climate change and in terms of the benefits that this will have in improving and enhancing its ecological diversity, improving water quality and improving the management of the woodland environment.' Councillor Ferretti said he was opposed to the application due to the impact it would have in the short term on the Glazert Valley area, as well as the ancient woodland and also the removal of the weir which he considered a historic asset to the village. In the resultant vote, nine members voted to grant the application while five voted to refuse.
South Wales Argus
17-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
What to do if you see Himalayan balsam? Advice for gardeners
Himalayan balsam, similar to Japanese Knotweed, sits among the most invasive plants that could lead to costly repairs if it takes over your home and garden. Even a wildlife charity has launched an appeal for volunteers to help clear the plant from growing up north. The Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Wildlife Trust's "Balsam Busters" group works to remove Himalayan Balsam during the summer, the BBC reports. What to do if you see Himalayan balsam? Himalayan balsam was first introduced to the UK by Victorian botanists in 1839. However, it is now considered a weed since it crowds out native species and causes soil erosion along water courses. Himalayan balsam flowers The plant, which can grow to about 6ft 5in (2m) tall, blooms with pink or purple scented flowers from June to November. Property expert Robert Quinton at Construction Megastore Building Materials explained more. 'You can spot Himalayan balsam from its pink flowers, but it's a highly invasive species that can damage any local biodiversity,' Mr Quinton said. 'If left unmanaged, it spreads rapidly and can overwhelm gardens and surrounding areas." Should you remove Himalayan balsam? The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) advises that if you find Himalayan balsam is already growing in your garden, you should 'control or remove it'. The plant is now considered a 'problematic weed', particularly along watercourses. How to remove Himalayan balsam Himalayan balsam needs to be pulled out by hand or cut as low as possible before it seeds. Recommended reading: Mr Quinton continued: 'The most effective way to tackle Himalayan balsam is by hand-pulling or cutting it back, ideally before it starts to flower. 'When pulling it up, make sure to remove the whole plant, roots and all, to stop it from growing back. "In thicker patches, cutting the stems below the lowest node can also work well to keep it under control.'
South Wales Guardian
16-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
What to do if you see Himalayan balsam? Advice for gardeners
Himalayan balsam, similar to Japanese Knotweed, sits among the most invasive plants that could lead to costly repairs if it takes over your home and garden. Even a wildlife charity has launched an appeal for volunteers to help clear the plant from growing up north. The Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Wildlife Trust's "Balsam Busters" group works to remove Himalayan Balsam during the summer, the BBC reports. Himalayan balsam was first introduced to the UK by Victorian botanists in 1839. However, it is now considered a weed since it crowds out native species and causes soil erosion along water courses. The plant, which can grow to about 6ft 5in (2m) tall, blooms with pink or purple scented flowers from June to November. Property expert Robert Quinton at Construction Megastore Building Materials explained more. 'You can spot Himalayan balsam from its pink flowers, but it's a highly invasive species that can damage any local biodiversity,' Mr Quinton said. 'If left unmanaged, it spreads rapidly and can overwhelm gardens and surrounding areas." The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) advises that if you find Himalayan balsam is already growing in your garden, you should 'control or remove it'. The plant is now considered a 'problematic weed', particularly along watercourses. Himalayan balsam needs to be pulled out by hand or cut as low as possible before it seeds. Recommended reading: Japanese Knotweed in 'super growth' across UK expert warns When does Japanese Knotweed flower in the UK and what to do if you find some These are the 9 illegal plants that could land you with a £30,000 fine Mr Quinton continued: 'The most effective way to tackle Himalayan balsam is by hand-pulling or cutting it back, ideally before it starts to flower. 'When pulling it up, make sure to remove the whole plant, roots and all, to stop it from growing back. "In thicker patches, cutting the stems below the lowest node can also work well to keep it under control.'
BBC News
16-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Volunteers want help to stop takeover of invasive Himalayan Balsam
A wildlife charity has launched an appeal for volunteers over the summer to help clear a invasive plant which stops native species from growing in the wild. The Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Wildlife Trust's 'Balsam Busters' group works to remove Himalayan Balsam, first introduced to the UK by Victorian botanists in 1839, from local beauty spots. Joel Micklethwaite from the trust said it was important to remove as many of the plants as possible before the end of summer, when they can drop up to 800 seeds each. "It can grow more or less anywhere, especially in shady woodlands," he said, adding "it's prolific to say the least". The plant, which can grow to about 6ft 5in (2m) tall, blooms with pink or purple scented flowers from June to November and was initially introduced to Britain as an ornamental garden it now considered a problematic weed as it crowds out native species and causes soil erosion along water courses. Mr Micklethwaite said while hundreds of volunteers from different groups got together to tackle the plant at designated events in nature reserves, everyone could do their bit within their local community. He said: "If you have a local spot, or even just your garden where its encroaching, it's better to keep it out of places where it isn't, as opposed to going into areas where it is, which can feel a lot more futile.""Especially if you can plant up afterwards with native plants." Himalayan balsam needs to be pulled out by hand or cut as low as possible before it seeds in order to be removed Anderton ,90, from Hindley, Greater Manchester, said he tries to cut the plant back when he comes across it while walking his dog in the nearby Low Hall Nature Reserve. He said: "When the flowers are dying back, I cut the plant off below the node [where new stems and leaves grow]. "If you don't do that, it branches out again." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
