The second year of combating knotweed by netting in the KPN has begun

Knotweed is one of the most difficult invasive plants to control. In 2024, we began combating it in the Kampinos Forest using the netting method. According to the work plan, activities are scheduled to take place before knotweed begins to grow in spring. And so it happened: when the first shoots started emerging from the ground in March this year, all dry above-ground stems from the previous season were removed, the netting was secured, and it was extended to adjacent areas where the plant had started to grow beyond the existing barrier. The dry stems from last year pose no threat. Because of the early timing of the work and the presence of only a few young shoots—none exceeding 1 cm in height—the activities were completely safe. Unfortunately, the controlled populations remain viable, which is not surprising considering the biology of this plant. The effects of the applied method should become apparent after five years, and we are only at the beginning of this process.