Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network ... - Sustrans

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Chemical Approved product Registration number 2,4-D Dormone 09932 MSS 2,4-D Amine 10183 Depitox 11149 Ragox 11145 Glyphosate Roundup 10317 Roundup Biactive 10320 Roundup pro bioactive 10330 Barclay gallup amenity 06753 Glyfos proactive 07800 Spasor 09945 Spasor bioactive 09940 13.3.5 Optimum time to treat Japanese knotweed dies back during the winter, therefore the most effective time to spray the plant is in early September to October, as during this time the plant begins to ‘draw down’ all of its nutrients from the leaves back into the rhizome. Spraying at this time means that more of the spray is taken into the plant from the leaves. Cutting can be undertaken throughout the growing season (March – September). Some people recommend cutting in the spring and then spraying the new soft growth that occurs. 13.4 Himalayan balsam Impatiens balsamifera 13.4.1 Identification This is an escapee from Victorian gardens, and can now be found throughout Britain. This annual plant grows from seed and can quickly exceed two metres in height. It has attractive pink flowers that appear in July, and by October they have scattered seeds by their explosive seedpods. This is the main reason for the plant’s success as each plant can produce as many as 2,500 seeds which can stay viable for 18 months. The seeds are often spread in flowing water, and consequently river and stream banks are typical habitats of this plant. The seeds can even germinate under water so any management is pointless unless the plant is being controlled further upstream. 13.4.2 Legislation Himalayan balsam comes under the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) which states that “It is an offence to plant or otherwise cause the plant to grow in the wild.” 13.4.3 Distribution along Network Himalayan balsam can be encountered anywhere along the Network, but is most likely to be found in areas of damp grassland, or where paths are adjacent to watercourses. 13.4.4 Treatment The cheapest and most effective way is to pull or dig up and then burn the stems during the growing season (July –September) before the flowers have time to set Sustrans’ Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network (December 2007) 40
seed. Young plants are easy to pull up, although a big area of them can be a daunting prospect. Spraying is also an effective means of control. 13.4.5 Optimum time to treat The optimum time to treat Himalayan balsam is during the growing season (July – September) and before the flowers set seed. 13.5 Giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum 13.5.1 Identification The giant hogweed was introduced from Asia as an ornamental plant. It is an umbellifer, like cow parsley, and its appearance is similar to the native wild parsnip, but much larger. It can reach heights of over 4 metres when in flower, with hollow stems of up to 10cm in diameter. The stem is also covered in dark reddish-purple spots and bristles. It flowers from May to July, with numerous white flowers clustered in an umbrella-shaped head that can be up to 50cm across. Each flower head can produce up to 1500 seeds which can remain active in the soil for 8 years or more. Due to their weight, most of them fall within a 4 metre radius around the plant. The giant hogweed has a clear, watery sap which contains toxins. If skin contact is followed by exposure to sunlight, painful, burning blisters appear that can develop into purplish or black scars. Contact between the skin and sap occurs either through brushing against the bristles on the stem, or by contact with broken stems/leaves. 13.5.2 Legislation Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 as amended/ Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, it is an offence to "plant or otherwise cause Giant Hogweed to grow" in the wild. This includes spreading the species or transferring polluted ground material from one area to another. 13.5.3 Distribution along Network Giant hogweed can be encountered throughout the Sustrans Network, although the plant prefers valleys and damp soil. 13.5.3 Treatment There are a number of options available for the treatment of this species, but the majority of these require a number of years in order to be effective. The two most effective methods are outlined below. Cutting This involves the clearing of above ground leaf/stem material and the removal of ground material polluted with roots and seeds. Careful consideration must be given to minimising the contact with the sap using this method, and it should not be considered once the plant is over 1 metre in height. Spraying Although this method can still take several years of treatment, it is considered the most effective. Spraying must be carried out from March to August (growing season), Sustrans’ Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network (December 2007) 41
Page 1 and 2: Biodiversity Action Plan for the Na
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS Executive Summary 6 1. Int
Page 5 and 6: 12. Mitigation and enhancement meas
Page 7 and 8: 1. Introduction to biodiversity in
Page 9 and 10: Project National Cycle Network Safe
Page 11 and 12: 2.3.5 Map of National Cycle Network
Page 13 and 14: On-going key action plan items and
Page 15 and 16: Association, the British Horse Soci
Page 17 and 18: 7. Links with Local Biodiversity Ac
Page 19 and 20: 9. Habitat Action Plans 9.1 Hedgero
Page 21 and 22: grasses such as tor grass Brachypod
Page 23 and 24: Contribute to the implementation of
Page 25 and 26: Where planting is required in hedge
Page 27 and 28: 10.3 Badger Meles meles 10.3.1 Desc
Page 29 and 30: 10.4.2 Optimum survey time The opti
Page 31 and 32: 10.6 Great crested newt Triturus cr
Page 33 and 34: Loss of food plants for certain spe
Page 35 and 36: 12. Mitigation and enhancement meas
Page 37 and 38: 12.6.2 Some bat species rely exclus
Page 39: 13.3 Japanese knotweed Fallopia jap
Page 43 and 44: 14. Education and understanding 14.
Page 45 and 46: 16. Glossary HAP Habitat Action Pla
Page 47 and 48: Cumbria LA7 7NH Tel: 01539 567953 w
Page 49 and 50: Ways for Wildlife Wildlife, cycle p
Page 51 and 52: © David Hall © Toby Smedley Visit
Page 53: Appendix 2 - Phase 1 and 2 habitat

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