GLOUNTHAUNE locals are waging a war against an invasive plant with the potential to devastate properties.
Some 200,000 individual stems of Fallopia japonica, commonly known as Japanese Knotweed have been identified in the area, with signs alerting to each cluster now erected along the L3004
between Bur’s Bridge and Killacloyne Bridge.
The Tidy Towns association has taken action by availing of stem injections, which involve injecting herbicide into the stem as part of a thorough eradication programme. Such measures kill the plant gradually, normally over three years.
Volunteers Niall Barry, Chris O’Keeffe and Joe Ryan with Terry Fleming and Conor O’Brien of Glounthaune Tidy Towns at Ashbourne Walkway. They are using stem injector guns to apply Round-Up weed-killer directly into the plant stem.
Information signs have been erected at Japanese Knotweed sites on the old N25 road at Glounthaune. Approx 80 sites have been identified and marked over a 6km stretch of roadway and walkways.
Pic; Larry Cummins
In the space of five days the team has treated about 10,000 individual plant stems using the appropriate herbicide, but stresses it needs more funding to loosen the grip of the aggressive weed.
Chairman of the Glounthaune Tidy Towns Association, Conor O’Brien said:
“We have been really fighting this for the last 10 to 15 years and received a grant of €5,000 from the council for the stem injections. However, it will take up to €15,000 if we are to ever eradicate this problem completely,” he said.
The group attended two alien species seminars-organised by SECAD and IRD Duhallow to train themselves in the stem
injection technique but are mindful that they have to act fast given the plant’s overpowering nature.
Chris O’Keeffe of Glounthaune Tidy Towns using a stem injector gun to apply Round-Up directly into the plant stem.
Japanese Knotweed was
initially brought to Ireland in the 19th century for its ornamental beauty.
Originally discovered on a volcano, the plant thrives on disturbed ground resulting in serious damage to houses as well as growth through tarmac and other hard surfaces. It can also hinder flood defence structures and
reduce the potential for channels to carry flood water.
Although lauded for its beauty in the past, homeowners in the UK are facing bills of up to £20,000 before they can sell if found with the superweed growing on their property. Home owners who are not directly affected by the foreign invader but living nearby a cluster are seeing thousands slashed off the price of their home.
“We have three teams of two carrying out the work but it is a very laborious process,” Conor said.
“The plant withdraws in the
autumn as it has finished producing flowers so this is the optimum time to carry out this kind of work.
“After surveying the area last October we discovered that there are 76 stands of Knotweed, with an estimated 200,000 individual stems covering almost 1 hectare in total.” Councillor Padraig O’Sullivan said he believed Cork County Council needs to be more proactive in their approach to eradicating knotweed.
“Since I’ve been elected people have been voicing their concern about Knotweed which has been present in the area for more than 20 years,” he said.
“Cutting the plant in the conventional way only causes it to disperse its seeds and sprout further.
“I would welcome if the council were more proactive in their
approach to this problem.
“It is illegal to sell property in the UK knowing that the plant is growing on a property reiterating what a serious problem this is,” he said.
Members of the Glounthaune Community Association are also welcoming funds from the public to eradicate the knotweed fund.
For information on how to donate email thegcacork@gmail.com