How to Remove Giant Hogweed

 This plant originates from the Caucasus Mountains, which lie between Turkey and Russia.  In the 19th century, it was introduced as a popular ornamental plant for the wetlands.  Because its large flower heads produced a lot of small light seeds, they spread quickly by the wind and water.  In some areas, it was deliberately planted.

It is a perennial, which means that it is a plant that will live longer than two years.  They can die back to the ground, but their root systems are alive and will continue to grow when there are the right conditions.  They can grow from a single root to a height of 5M.  They can have leaves up to 1M.  It can take several years for it to mature.  When it is mature, the flowers will produce on average 20,000 seeds before it dies.

Why it should be removed

It is imperative to do giant hogweed removal UK because it can cause health hazards if it is not removed.  Because of the hollow stems and big size of the plant, the giant hogweed is very attractive to children.  They like to use the hollow stems as telescopes and peashooters.  The health hazard is that the leaves, sap, and stems contain photosensitizing furanocoumarins.  When they come in contact with your skin combined with the ultraviolet radiation, they can cause your skin to burn.  If there is blistering then it should be treated as a burn.

Identifying the giant hogweed

  • Spring: It has dark green spiky leaves, which start to grow in March/April.  They can reach a height of 30-50cm.
  • Summer: Their large stems are green in color with purple blotches, hollow and ribbed. They also have large flower heads up to 50 cm across.
  • Autumn: Some of the immature plants will usually die back but most will keep their color in the leaves through the winter season.  The mature flowering plants will die and have seed heads with as many as 20,000 seeds.

How to remove the giant hogweed

Spraying using a chemical application is the best preventive countermeasure.  It should include the regulation of habitat quality and the prohibition of seed input.  You should make sure that you spray it before it flowers in April or May.  In August or September, you should treat any re-growth or new seedlings.  When you spray, make sure that you are doing it on an overcast day.

Always wear gloves and make sure that you have your legs and arms covered.  You should not cut it down because the sap can cause severe burns if it comes in contact with your skin in sunlight.

Conclusion

Yes, these are impressive plants when fully grown but it is an invasive plant and can be potentially harmful.  This is why it is important to do giant hogweed removal.  Make sure that you are checking the places where you find giant hogweed in the spring so you can spray any new seedlings.  They can emerge from seeds up to ten years.  Just remember that the sap can burn so protect yourself. 

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