Weeding out knotty threat harder due to climate crisis

Homeowners in the UK are being urged to be extra vigilant of Japanese knotweed growing on their properties after the invasive species emerged six weeks earlier than usual this year after unusually warm weather.

- Shane Hickey

The distinctive red stems were spotted throughout February and March, a development that has been linked to climate change.

Hundreds of millions of pounds are spent tackling the spread of the extremely resilient plant every year. Homeowners can face large bills for its treatment, which can last for years, and the value of a property, or its potential for sale, can be affected.

England and Wales had their warmest February on record this year, with mild and wet conditions common.

The Property Care Association (PCA), a trade body of building professionals, reported that stems had been spotted well ahead of the start of the usual growing season in April.

Ben Lindley, of Japanese Knotweed, a specialist in tackling the plant, said it tends to appear from its winter hibernation earlier in warmer weather.