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Japanese Knotweed - Eradication Strategies

The HIT ™ (Holistic Integrated Treatment) family of systems provides the land owner or developer a variety of environmentally sound choices for Japanese knotweed eradication. Verification of the success of herbicidal treatments is confirmed using our newly developed rhizome viability test  giving the customer additional peace of mind.

TCM specialises in developing an eradication programme that will have minimum impact on the site’s development, even when Japanese knotweed is identified at a critical point of the project plan.

 

Single Season Herbicidal Treatment

The service that TCM offers is based on a sound understanding of the ecology and biology of the plant and the site. The method targets weaknesses in the plants physiology and it is essential that all elements of the treatment programme are carried out strictly in accordance with the treatment protocol. All work is carried out by trained specialists and is routinely monitored to ensure the treatment is on programme and effective. During the eradication process strict control of the site and all activities will be carried out by TCM in consultation with the client.  This is to avoid the inadvertent spread of Japanese knotweed to other areas.


Treatment using herbicides takes six months during the active growing season to be effective (sites adjacent to water courses and trees must be treated using TCM’s herbicidal treatment for environmentally sensitive areas –The treatment can be applied in-situ or as part of an Integrated On Site Treatment

In-situ herbicidal treatments represent the most environmentally friendly method of Japanese knotweed eradication on the market as it is virtually carbon neutral and there is minimal soil disturbance.

TCM’s method of herbicide treatment has had such an impressive track record of success, that the company has an EU patent pending on this unique approach.

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Herbicidal Treatment for Enviromentally Sensative Areas

Eradication methodologies can be tailored to suit the most environmentally sensitive areas found, including sites adjacent to watercourses, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), woodlands and those areas deemed ecologically sensitive with protected flora and fauna.


With input from our in-house BASIS qualified advisor and our full time ecologists, we can develop an eradication strategy that will take two years to complete.  All works in environmentally sensitive areas are undertaken with the full approval of the local Environment Agency office and include consultation with Natural England and the Wildlife Trusts when necessary.

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Integrated on site treatment

This method involves the excavation and removal of Japanese Knotweed from the area of the site required for immediate development, and moved to a more convenient area of the same site. The spoil is then stockpiled on a plastic membrane, allowing the Japanese Knotweed to re-grow sufficiently, without further contaminating site soil, so that herbicidal treatment will prove effective the following growing season. The TCM HIT ™ system is then used on the stockpile, and once eradication has been judged successful, the soil can then be re-introduced to the site and used normally.

This method of eradication can often complement development plans, but also saves money and reduces the environmental impact of the eradication process when compared to 'dig and dump'.

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Soil Screening

Soil screening is a time efficient and effective method of separating Japanese knotweed from soil following excavation and is the most preferred method for customers who want minimal environmental impact combined with quick results.  Soil is passed through a variety of screening processes and spoil can be transported to licensed land fill, incinerated on site or taken to a biomass power station for use as fuel.  The remaining soil can be reincorporated on the site, eliminating the need to import large quantities of back fill.

Soil screening uses large plant making it a suitable application for use on sites that are in excess of 1,000m². TCM are working on strategies to lift this constraint and make this method available on smaller sites.


The method requires supervision by trained specialists but gives the fast turnaround of ‘dig and dump’.

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Onsite Burial/Cell Encapsulation

Where space is at a premium on a site and only a short time frame is available, onsite burial or cell encapsulation can be options to pursue. Sub strata soil conditions such as water table level and soil type need to be assessed to determine which the best option is. When onsite burial is recommended, one treatment with a non-persistent herbicide should be applied in order to reduce the vigour of Japanese knotweed. A pit needs to be dug to a depth of 5 metres. The Japanese knotweed is then excavated under the supervision of TCM staff using TCM’s Reduced Excavation method and transferred to the pit. The spoil is then covered with membrane and the pit is filled in. When cell encapsulation is recommended, a pit is dug to a depth of 2m and the pit is then lined with a heat joined membrane. The Japanese knotweed is excavated under the supervision of experienced TCM staff using TCM’s Reduced Excavation method and transferred to the pit. Further heat joined membrane is then laid on top of the spoil and the edges are sealed. The remainder of the pit is then filled in. .

 

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Reduced Excavation

TCM’s reduced ‘dig and dump’ method can offer cost effective project management. The method must be supervised by trained specialists and involves reducing the quantity of material for disposal to landfill via detailed monitoring, followed up by post excavation herbicidal treatment. This method can also be backed up by a warranty, and can also result in savings of around 50% when compared to traditional ‘dig and dump’ costs.

Soil screening uses large plant making it a suitable application for use on sites that are in excess of 1,000m². TCM are working on strategies to lift this constraint and make this method available on smaller sites.

 

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Dig and Dump (Not recommended by TCM)

Unfortunately, one of the reasons that ‘dig and dump’ is still so common is the typical way in which construction projects are planned: from a cash flow perspective. This usually results in a desire not to spend any project money until detailed planning permission has been obtained, followed by a need to develop the site as soon as possible so as to generate a return on the initial investment and construction costs. Under these situations companies often ignore the problem until it is too late to do anything other than either delay the construction project or adopt the least environmentally friendly, the most expensive and, essentially, the least effective remediation strategy. In these circumstances, the developer should always consider that soil screening or reduced excavations are more effective strategies to pursue.

 

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Contact Details

TCM
2 Charterhouse Trading Estate
Sturmer Road
Haverhill
Suffolk CB9 7UU
t: 01440 760170
f: 01440 760171
e: info@t-c-m.co.uk

You can also contact us via our Contact Form

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