Japanese knotweed is a perennial species originating in eastern Asia. It looks a bit like bamboo, but isn't related. But is is very successful in our sort of climate. It is classed as an invasive species because it spreads very fast and threatens native flora.
Today we were a team of three, one Warden and two volunteers. We went to a site I haven't visited before. It is an area which the County Council has purchased from Network Rail and is about to take possession of. Until the 1960s it was a very large marshalling area, and I think there was a coal depot here too. Anyone interested in industrial archaelogy would find the site fascinating. There are a few remains of old rail tracks. On one side lie a sprinkling of anti-tank concrete blocks, and a massive anti-tank ditch defence from the war. The existing rail line runs along the other side. Apart from these industrial treasures, the main site, which is quite large compared to the other sites I have been to, consists of a flat ground in which trees, mainly birch, are now growing. There are one or two ancient beeches and oaks around the periphery, and a few shallow pools dotted about. Other than a network of paths created by trail bikes, the area has remained undisturbed for 50 years. The plan is to bring a section of the Trans-Pennine cycle way, which currently goes along roads at this point, through here.
There were three patches of Japanese knotweed which we had been sent to deal with. We had to cut down last year's growth, now just a bunch of canes, so that the spraying squad can come in and dowse the new growth with a good measure of glyphosate. There are currently a few red-nosed buds appearing at ground level. In another couple of weeks, they'll be above ground and racing. The stuff apparently spreads like wild-fire. You only have to have a bit on your boot and it gets transported to another area. So it is important to dong it good and proper before it takes hold. Armed with a bilhook, a long armed slasher ( I love the names of these tools!) and a rake, we set to work. Some of these tools are pretty evil. They have to be kept sharp to do the job they are required to do. So I was very conscious of health and safety rules using them. The bilhook could take off someone's leg if you weren't careful. The long armed slasher is a bit like a scythe. It was amusing how we all set to with enthusiasm, with cries of "yes!", "hah!" and, "take that!". It was fun to wreak havoc legitimately. I think the lads were working off their various frustrations. After about three hours of slashing, chopping and raking, the job was done. It was quite tiring.
Finally, we started back. The Warden drove the landrover, whilst we two volunteers walked in front, looking out for another patch of knotweed which had been spotted by the Ranger. Although we looked quite carefully, we couldn't find it. But we did find a shallow pool with a large quantity of frog spawn on it. Sadly most of it had been spoiled by a couple of early frosts we had last week. But I expect there is more where that came from. In spite of this, everywhere is beginning to show signs of life after the long winter slumber.
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