With thick woody stems and large heart shaped leaves, Japanese Knotweed or more commonly known as Michigan Bamboo stands tall at roughly 10 feet in height. It inconspicuously houses a variety of songbirds and small mammals, but what you may not know is underground, knotweed’s roots are forming a thick, dense mat 10 times the size of its above ground parts.
Japanese Knotweed is a quick growing and rapid spreading plant that is present throughout Chippewa, Mackinac, and Luce counties.
You can also find Bohemian and Giant Knotweed varieties which have minor variations from Japanese Knotweed. So, starting with Giant Knotweed, this plant can reach heights of up to 15 feet tall.
They have large somewhat heart shaped leaves that are a light green in color. Its stems along with Japanese and Bohemian Knotweed’s stems are hollow and red, jointed, giving the appearance of bamboo.
Bohemian Knotweed is a hybrid between Japanese and Giant Knotweed, so it tends to have smaller leaves than Giant Knotweed, but larger leaves than Japanese Knotweed. All varieties will have white/cream-colored flowers growing along the stem. Stems with leaves have a zig-zag pattern.
All three of these knotweed varieties are highly destructive, especially if planted near structures, as the roots can crack foundations and ruin pipes and wires. Even mowing this plant can cause more harm than good since breaking up the roots and rhizomes can cause the plant to actually multiply and produce more stems. The only way to remove this pestilent plant is by completely digging up the root system or killing it with herbicide.
If you know of a stand of knotweed or you yourself have knotweed on your land, please consider reaching out as we do free treatment of knotweed for landowners. All you have to do is fill out a request form on our website. You can also try to manage knotweed at home, but be sure to manage your plant in the fall as it is starting to go dormant. This will assist in killing the plant as it is starting to slow down for the winter.
Additionally, self-management can be feasible if done in the plant’s younger years. This is due to the way the roots grow underground, since the bigger the plant is on the surface, the larger the root mass under the surface is.
If the knotweed is not present on your property, consider using a reporting app such as MISIN, iNaturalist, or EDDMaps so it can be found by managing agencies like ourselves as well as the Michigan DNR, US Forest Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Always be on the lookout for young knotweed plants as they are the easiest to manage and most likely to be eradicated over older more established knotweed plants.
Our treatments for knotweed begin in the fall as well, so try to get your request form in before September 1 to ensure treatment occurs this year. We will manage and treat knotweed varieties for free anywhere within Chippewa, Mackinac, and Luce counties. We hope to help you out with your knotweed infestations!
