Japanese Knotweed growing fast in 2012

This year the authorities are planning a big purge on Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam along the River Nairn. See videos here and here to find out what is intended to happen with the cash the Scottish Government has made available. River CC are anxious to get started on spraying these invasive species on the east bank of the River between the sewage and town bridges. Project coordinator for the improvement of this wee stretch, River CC chair Tommy Hogg, has secured European Leader funding to deal with the invasive species, to extend the sewage outfall closer to the river and remove some timber and replace it with native species. He told the Gurn that it would be better to get started with the spraying sooner rather than later given the time scale dictated by the funding package.

The pictures above are of the famous Japanese Knotweed, a plant that more and more people are paying attention to now as it is capable of severely reducing property values if it gets as far as your house.