VOLUNTEERS will be out in force along the banks of the River Tees throughout the winter in an effort to tackle the biggest invasive alien plant species in the UK – giant hogweed.
The drive is being led by officials at the Tees Rivers Trust.
Giant hogweed is a non-native species introduced to the UK in the 1800s.
The plant creates dense monocultures, outcompeting native species for space and light and taking over habitats such as riverbanks.
As the plant dies back in the winter, it leaves the ground bare and susceptible to erosion.
With the rising impact of climate change, and an increase in flooding, the trust says tackling the plant now is more important than ever.
Chloe Lawrence, project officer with the Tees Rivers Trust said during the summer months, awareness is raised about giant hogweed and the problems it can cause.
She explained that the plants produce a toxic sap, that when in contact with skin, can result in blistering burns.
With an increase in wet and warm winters, it is possible for some giant hogweed plants to grow at this time of year, especially when each adult plant can produce between 20,000 and 50,000 seeds.
Ms Lawrence said although the plants growing during the autumn and winter months were predominantly small seedlings, they can still produce the toxic sap if in contact with skin.
“Awareness of this invasive alien is not normally raised over winter months, but the plant is still around, as a nuisance to the environment and the community.
“In areas where giant hogweed plants have died off, the plants leave a large dried out stem behind. Although it is less likely that the toxic sap is present on the stems, some residue can be left behind and therefore not recommended for people to touch.
“It is important to raise awareness about this plant and the work we are doing at the trust to remove giant hogweed from the Tees catchment,” she added.
As part of Tees Operation Giant Hogweed (TOPHOG), funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Tees Rivers Trust takes out their valued local and corporate volunteers during the autumn and winter months to do a range of activities including bulb planting, brush cutting and mapping/monitoring to better tackle invasive species such as giant hogweed in the Tees catchment.
