AN invasive species expert has warned that Scotland is facing a huge year against “Britain’s most dangerous plant”, with giant hogweed emerging earlier than expected.
Keith Gallacher, director of Complete Weed Control, one of Scotland’s leading weed control specialists, spotted young shoots of the plant emerging in March.
He warned that this is unusually early for the enormous species, which can grow up to six metres high and whose sap can cause severe burns with lasting effects such as scarring and chronic dermatitis.
He said that the early showing of Giant Hogweed could have been precipitated by mild and wet spring weather – March had 27% more rainfall than normal in the UK.
It could also lead to greater infestations of the plant, which can spread tens of thousands of seeds after it flowers in June and July.
Mr Gallacher said: “Our teams saw the much-earlier-than-expected appearance of the young Giant Hogweed during routine inspections in East Lothian, near Musselburgh.
“With such an early start, and with the rate of growth of which the plants are capable, it is likely that 2024 will be a bumper year for this rapacious invader.
“Like many invasive species, it was brought to the UK as an architectural oddity, but now it has escaped and, without any natural enemies, it grows into dense colonies.
“It is part of the Apiaceae family, which includes carrots, parsnip, cumin, coriander and parsley, but its dense foliage prevents light reaching the soil underneath, killing off native plants and leading to rapid soil erosion.”
Complete Weed Control, which now covers the greater part of Scotland, will treat the plants but warns that eliminating it requires an effort by all landowners in an affected area.
He said: “If you leave it too late, the plants get larger and become more difficult to spray, and require more herbicide.
“But if you do it too early and you get the torrential rains like we’ve had these last few weeks, the herbicide won’t have much effect.”
Complete Weed Control has continued to gain contracts from clients across Scotland and has posted a record £2.75m in sales last year.
Growth has been boosted by new client acquisition and its tree services division, which now contributes with the weed suppressant and grass cutting services it supplies to mostly public sector organisations.
