Giant Hogweed was introduced into Britain during the 19 th century as an ornamental plant; due to its aggressive an invasive nature it escaped and colonised river banks and waste lands pushing out native species. Giant Hogweed is hazardous to humans its sap contains a highly toxic chemical which sensitises the skin to Ultra- Violet (UV) rays that leads to severe blistering and some cases blindness. Due to invasive nature and hazard to human health legislation has been produced to try and prevent its spread.

Giant Hogweed is listed on Section 14(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which states that “if any person plants or otherwise causes to grow in the wild any plant which is included in Part II of Schedule 9, he shall be guilty of an offence.” Anyone convicted of an offence may face a fine of £5,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment, or 2 years and/or an unlimited fine on indictment. A duty of care is also necessary under the Environmental Protection Act (1990) due to the hazardous nature to human health the duty applies that it ’... does not cause harm to human health or pollution of the environment and is only transferred to someone who is authorised to receive it. The duty applies to any person who produces, imports, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste or as a broker has control of such waste’.

Appearance

Flowers

Inflorescence is flat topped umbel composed of many small white florets; each cluster may be up to a diameter of 2.5 feet.

Stems

May grow to 5 metres tall; with stems which are hollow and thick, growing to 10cm across with bristles.

Leaves

Its leaves are large with serrated edges these highly incised leaves can expand to 1.5m across and 3m long.

Giant Hogweed Treatment and Control

SES invasive species team have experience employing various site specific techniques with regards to time scales, costs and the sites ecological needs . Eradication methods may include combinations of specialist herbicidal treatment and removal by hand or by mec hanical means. It most be noted that its seeds will remain viable for up to seven years; therefore once a plant has produced seed it must be assumed that these seeds will remain for this length of time. Control measures will only affect the plant so its seeds may continue to germinate thus requiring annual checks to ensure germinating plants do reach maturity and seed themselves.

If you would like to find out more about our Weed Eradication systems or any of the other services Southern Ecological Solutions provide then please don’t hesitate Contact Us to discuss your requirements further . Also you can call us on 01245 475565.