Kerry company wins contract to clear knotweed menace in Offaly

A Kerry company won the tender for the management and removal of Japanese Knotweed in County Offaly.

The council received four tenders or requests to participate in the works, however, it was The Japanese Knotweed Company, with an address in Killorglin, Kerry which won the contract.

The value of the tender was €200,000 and the winner was chosen on February 5.The date for the conclusion of the contract was March 11 last.

According to Offaly County Council, Japanese Knotweed is growing in Offaly – but says that hopefully with awareness and treatment it can be contained and minimised. Since 2009, records of all known locations have been collated and all relevant sections of the County Council have been made aware of the issues involved, particularly the spread of Japanese knotweed by hedge and verge cutting and movement of soil. Since 2014, all known sites of public lands have been treated on an annual basis. Where practical owners of private sites have been notified if they have knotweed growing on their property.

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The council described it as a ''menacing plant,'' which was introduced to Irish gardens in the 19th century as an exotic. The council says it has become one of Ireland’s 10 Most Unwanted Invasive Aliens. Able to grow a meter in less than a month, Japanese Knotweed can push through concrete and tarmac. Meanwhile, its roots can spread 7 meters wide and 5 meters deep depending on the soil structure. In no time at all, Japanese knotweed can create an impenetrable thicket 3m high.

Its unusually deep leaf litter smothers rival plants and wipes out native species. But even when it isn’t visible above ground, Japanese knotweed can lie dormant, but very much alive, below ground for up to a decade. Years after projects have taken place to remove Japanese Knotweed, it is not defeated, because it lies dormant underground hibernating and every year the area must be scoured for re-growth. Unless the plant is constantly monitored, the area will be covered in knotweed again in a number of years.

In the summer Japanese Knotweed can reach over three meters in height. It has green shield shaped leaves and spikes of small, creamy white flowers in September. In the autumn it sheds its leaves and becomes an unattractive stand of dead, brown, hollow stalks. In the spring, little dark red shoots like dragons’ tails emerge.Growing up to 4 centimeters a day, they quickly form bamboo-like stems which sprout green leaves. Its roots are dark brown with a bright-orange inside which can snap easily, like a carrot.