Japanese Knotweed has been brewing as a notorious invasive species since 1850, when German botanist Philipp von Siebold shipped specimens of it to the Royal Botanical Gardens. Today, it’s causing mayhem around the world, and for us here in the Hudson Valley region.
Its innocent appearance: heart-shaped leaves, bamboo stems, and small white flowers may make people more tolerant of it, at least until they see the destruction it brings with it. Scenic Hudson calls it “one of the Hudson Valley’s peskiest invasive (non-native) plants, and it was added to New York State’s Prohibited and Regulated Plants list in 2014.
If you’re dealing with invasive plants like Japanese Knotweed, do not despair: our company specializes in the removal of invasive nuisance plants in the Hudson Valley. Give us a call at (845) 687-9528 and we’ll restore beauty and health to your property.
1. Explosive Growth Rate
According to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County, Japanese knotweed can grow up to fifteen feet high. It can rapidly form dense, impenetrable thickets that will smother any native plants in its way.
2. Increases Flood Risks
According to the Cary Institute’s study of the knotweed infestation at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, knotweed makes the land more susceptible to surface runoff and flooding.
3. Indestructible Resilience
As we wrote on our blog, it can take years of sustained maintenance to fully eradicate Japanese knotweed. You must physically remove all parts of the plant, which is difficult due to the sprawling nature of its spread. Partially cutting it down only encourages more aggressive regrowth.
4. Climate Adaptability
While many native plants may not be adaptable to changes in weather patterns, Japanese knotweed is spreading because it is highly adaptable to hot and dry conditions and disturbed soil. It prefers full sun, but it can also handle partial or even deep shade.
5. Supercharged by Storms
Flooding and increased storm events in the region create the perfect conditions for knotweed expansion; flowing water is like a superhighway for carrying the seeds downstream.
6. Pushes Through Infrastructure
Knotweed can push through concrete, house foundations, and cause damage to roads. That’s why it notoriously has been linked to decreases in home values.
7. Reduces Animal Food Sources
The dense thickets caused by knotweed will alter natural ecosystems, leading to reduced food sources and shelter for wildlife.
8. Spreads With Human Activity
According to Lower Hudson PRISM, (a project of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference), knotweed tends to thrive in areas where soils have been heavily disturbed or transported. That can include roadsides, backyards, empty lots, dumps, and more.
9. No Easy Removal Options
As backed up by the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group, there are no easy natural or chemical control methods for addressing Japanese knotweed. Any solution requires continued treatment to prevent the spread and re-establishment of this invasive. It is possible that native landscaping, and the introduction of native plants as competitors, could be effective.
Will 2025 be the year of the Japanese Knotweed invasive in the Hudson Valley? Now is the time to take action before it’s too late.
(845) 687-9528