Native Problem Weeds
Not every problem weed is an invader. Five native species are named as injurious weeds in the Weeds Act 1959, and Natural England can require an occupier to control them. Others — bracken, brambles, nettles — carry no statutory duty but ruin grazing, access and amenity land just as effectively.
The duty is to prevent spread, not to eradicate. A Weeds Act notice asks an occupier to stop injurious weeds spreading onto agricultural land. Evidence of a planned, documented control programme is normally what satisfies it — which is exactly what we produce.
Species and duties
Common Ragwort
Injurious weed. Toxic to horses and cattle; a Defra code of practice governs control where grazing land or forage production is at risk.
Common Ragwort control →Creeping Thistle
Injurious weed. Spreads by both seed and creeping root, colonising pasture and set-aside within a season.
Creeping Thistle control →Spear Thistle
Injurious weed. Biennial — cutting before seed set in the second year is the decisive intervention.
Spear Thistle control →Broad-leaved Dock
Injurious weed. A taproot to 1m and seed viable in soil for decades make partial removal near useless.
Broad-leaved Dock control →Curled Dock
Injurious weed. Thrives on compacted, poorly drained, over-grazed ground — treat the drainage as well as the plant.
Curled Dock control →Bracken
Native, but carcinogenic spores and dense litter suppress regeneration; a serious upland and amenity land problem.
Bracken control →Brambles
Native scrub that reclaims neglected land fast, obstructs access routes and harbours fly-tipping and vermin.
Brambles control →Nettles
Indicator of high soil phosphate. Valuable for wildlife in the right place, a nuisance across amenity and access areas.
Nettles control →Japanese knotweed does not stop on its own
Identification, treatment and guaranteed eradication plans.
Looking for knotweed, giant hogweed, balsam or bamboo? Those are introduced species with a different legal footing — see non-native weeds.
Native weeds: common questions
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