Plant trees but monitor them in the form of Giant Knotweed
Giant knotweed had its origin in Japan, is an herbaceous perennial plant, which appears woody and can grow over 12 feet in height. Giant knotweed is very invasive in the North East US and resembles Japanese knotweed and produces only small amount of seeds that spread mainly by gravity, wind or water. Giant knotweed spreads quickly forming dense stands and is found at sites like river bank, roadsides, railways, empty lots and waste places. The growth of this plant is because of rhizomes whose stem and root segments carry without difficulty in tidally inclined river systems. Fragments are small but are capable of starting a fresh plantation.
Giant Knotweed has heart shaped leaf gradually tapering at the tip and rounded basal lobes. These bear the resemblance of bamboo canes as they are straight, hollow stems that are smooth, light green, and jointed puffy at the nodes. After being established they grow rapidly and very difficult to eradicate. Growth of Giant knotweed is so fast that a cut or broken stem will grow if left on moist soil. Maintenance of this plant is of utmost importance. Rhizomes of the plant should be pulled up by root crown, as any rhizomes left uncut will produce new plants. Herbicides are useful in controlling Giant Knotweed.
