Another warning on Japanese Knotwood

The issue of Japanese Knotwood was raised again at the recent meeting of Kilcullen Community Action, and the importance of people being able to recognise it, writes Brian Byrne.

Esther Kiely said it was now being described as 'the plant that's eating Britain', and it's causing serious problems there.

Celia Travers said it is also in Ireland, and in Kildare, and that it is very difficult to eradicate. "If you find it, you must never cut it," she noted. "That makes it spread even more." She added that in Britain, banks were refusing mortgages in areas where the plant had been established. "Houses are being degraded by it."

Esther Kiely said the invasive plant can be spread by spores picked up on clothes.