Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed is everywhere around both ponds, usually near roads. Plant Godzilla!

 Getting rid of it takes persistence.

Why do it??

Japanese knotweed has no natural pests or predators that keep it in check. It chokes out native vegetation and reduces biodiversity, It alters natural ecosystems and negatively impacting wildlife habitats.

It can get up to 10’ tall with a huge spread if allowed to grow. Leaves are 4” x 6” and it is flowering right now with white wisps

 The SW intersection of Allen Road and and Lake road have some examples.  The town of Brookfield mows the grassy area but the knotweed just keeps popping up.  Along Allen Rd there are some healthy stands between Farrside road sign and Henry's auto repair. Some of the road edge is browned as abutters try to contain the knotweed.  It is on Tantasqua Shore Drive and especially on the first "right of way."  I have been attacking this for years...missed a couple and It is huge again.

 My hope is to get Solitude to tackle this problem officially as we do with invasive pond weeds. We need to get permission (orders of condition) from the towns to use chemicals near water.  Homeowners can probably take care of the plant along the road until we get the professionals.  I use Shore Klear Plus (glyphosate and surfactant – a wetting agent). Do not use Round Up near the water, It injures the skin of amphibians. 

 I spoke with Carl Nielsen, our water management consultant. An alternative is to treat the stems. Cut close to the ground then drip the solution on to the outer rim and into the hollow stem with a large syringe.  Uses a lot less chemical.  The cut stems should be allowed to dry in the sun and then burned. 

 Meg Noyes