Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed Himalayan Balsam, and Ragwort
(in that order)

Giant Hogweed

To form, so far the amount removed is less than last year. There are two anomalies however: a) 3 in the flood plain and b) 5 in the far western ditch.
Updated 11th June
Two more in flood plain. That's 3 in the northern field and 2 in the southern.

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Japanese Knotweed

In the first two years I dug out the roots, since then I only pull up as much as comes easy, apart from any obvious root rhizomes/crowns. Looking a lot better over the years.

Updated: 14th July 2011

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Himalayan Balsam

Unless otherwise stated all plants are pulled by hand.

Sites 3 and 6

26th/27th June: Cleared sites 3 and 6. Total of 5 bags of weed.

Removal is working well as the seeds are only viable for a year or two. Once an area is cleared well, even by slashing, the next year pulling by hand maybe sufficient.

See Page 2 for updates.

Site 1

This is the updated map from last year which includes the area slashed (G)

8th July
Cleared (A and B). Only got half a bag weed. As the ferns are high I expect many are unnoticed and will pop up over the next few weeks and more.

15th July
Cleared (A, B, D, E and F)

25th July
Cleared (A, B, D, E and F)

28th July
Cleared (A, B, C, D, E and F)
Also pulled some from new area G. A small area in the field to the south of Site 1 always gets done but needs mentioning as it could be a problem if neglected.

Found young deer, dead, in path to the far fields. Moved it to high stone road for dispersal.

Will make new maps for plans of areas. I showing larger are for location and two for detailed identification. Area 1.1 being before Riverland and area 1.2 being part of Riverland

29th July
Went over with Gavin, primarily to start clearing Part G. It was better than last year, especially where the track between the upper nd lower field crosses the drain on the lower side.

5th Aug
Cleared same area as 29th above. Pulled a few that were missed. Chopped a few that were not really cut. Cut back a few regrowths and all stems that seemed a bit too proud. Also cut to the north a bit more, Reaching now about 20m from the bridge across the ditch.

Still have to work on it south of a line level with the entrance track.

21st Aug
Cleared most of parts B and E

28th Aug
Cleared all of parts A, B and E

29th Aug
Cleared all of parts A, C and D

30th Aug
Cleared part F, and half of part G

Page 1: This page. Intro to sites 1 to 6
Page 2: More on sites 3 and 6 (Merged)
Page 3: Ragwort

Pages: 1 · 2 · 3

Have designed to curtail the weed this year, in five defined areas.

1. Site 1: The 'Far Field boundary' between the higher and lower parts that in roughly defined by the lower field's eastern drainage channel.
2. Site 2: The areas A to H that are being cleared of Giant Hogweed
3. Site 3: The top and just 'East of Bund' to the boat, to stop spread to marsh to the west.
4. Site 4: 'West of Bund' west of the bund, some 20metres wide, that has for years been cleared.
5. Site 5: The new extended growth covering an acre in the East of the Marsh, just west of the above.

3rd June 12:08
Have just sent Hugh Tyler of Natural England and email linking to and containing the map and details, which are now on the ELF website.

What could be done is all the rest of the marsh to ensure it is not spreading

What isn't being done is the mass on the lower fields north of the boat including the bunds adjacent the river.

Two were removed from Site A on 18th May. Lost exact details of those removed from Site EoB

Cleared the river bank west of the boat up to the willow copse today. The river bank upstream has been done, also the fields adjacent such.

See elf.calstock.org.uk/invasive/giant_hogweed for more info.
To download details only: <hogweed.xls> 290kb.

19th May: 12:15
Just brought back the first of today's bags of hogweed. Being a bit late to start some are rather big. One flower stem was clear and there's not much room in bag for two of those. -:- 14:56 Takes forever. Missed breakfast so had lunch, minus the greenfly. Get to the Hogweed is the order. -:- 16:23 Got some big ones at C and there are more. -:- 17:18 Found a few and big @ F. Overall there have been quite a few in outlandish places. However as some of them are quite big they were probably there last year. -:- 18:03 Yeap! May is too late to start as I have to dig and carry big plants. Must make a note to start mid April at the latest.

20th May: 15:01
Finished clearing the copse for the first run. -:- 16:06 Gathered up 5 wayward plants in the 'compost field'.

Morning of May 14th.
Due to meet Hugh Tyler of Natural England to have a general check and discussion on invasive plants. James MaFarlane (Cornwall County Council's Vegetation Adviser) will be coming to help with the Himalayan Balsam options. Steve Morris also intends to be here.

Outcome
I clarified the work I expect to do this year (will provide map on main website later) to with with details. We agreed on a two week estimate for the work which will entailed Steve and I working for one week on the far field whilst I undertake the rest alone.
Once the map and detail have been posted I will contact Hugh Tyler to confirm and see what payment can be arranged.

Another bummer. The very high tides came over the bund and washed away six bags of rhizomes. I knew the bund wasn't high enough in some places on very high tides, but in the heat of working on the patch I didn't think about it.

I have found them and will have to keep an eye open for any growths over the whole fields, some 11 acres or more. :'(

In future all rhizomes will be moved to the garden and burnt.

May 14th. First big burn with the help of Steve

May 18th. Hope to complete the 'first'knotweed pull today. DONE Intend to check in a few weeks. -:- 11.55 Posted details on main site.

June 18th. Second complete pull done today.