SPECIALIST COTONEASTER CONTROL SERVICES

OUR SPECIALIST CONTROL SERVICES WILL TREAT OR ERADICATE THIS SPECIES. TO FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE COTONEASTER USE OUR FREE ID TOOL OR BOOK A SURVEY

TREATMENT & REMOVAL

Cotoneaster can be treated with herbicide which can be applied in a variety of ways. Treatment is usually carried out in cycles to be effective. Excavation is the best option for complete eradication, and all fragments of the plant both underground and above ground need to be completely removed to ensure no future growth. The stems can be cut down to ground level and treated with herbicide – but this must be done by a trained professional if the result is required to be permanent. As the plant waste is deemed as special ‘controlled waste’ it will need to be taken to a suitably licensed landfill.

To find out the best way to remove Cotoneaster and the best time of year to have treatment or excavation carried out get in touch.

WHY IS COTONEASTER A PROBLEM?

This plant is listed as a Schedule 9 species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, therefore it is an offence to plant or allow to spread into the wild as it will quickly take over habitats. It is not illegal to plant on your own property but it is an offence to allow it to spread onto other properties.

Cotoneaster mostly spreads via seed expulsion, but more so by birds following digestion of the berries, which means the plant can spread a great distance. The shrubs are hardy and can live up to 50 years if not controlled. The plant likes to grow in inaccessible places such as cliffs and rocky ledges which makes treatment or removal even more difficult.

ABOUT COTONEASTER

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cotoneaster integrifolius
ORIGIN: Eastern Asia

Cotoneaster species are native to Eastern Asia and were first introduced to the UK in 1824 as ornamental plants. There are over 100 species of Cotoneaster now being cultivated in the UK but only 5 species are deemed as invasive. Himalayan Cotoneaster is an erect deciduous shrub, with leaves of 1.5 – 2.5 cm long, whilst Small-leaved Cotoneaster is evergreen with very small leaves at 0.5 – 0.8cm long. Whilst it is known to have air-purifying properties, it is toxic if ingested and its root systems make this species difficult to remove.

• A species of green shrubs and small trees, some deciduous and some evergreen.
• All Cotoneaster species have shiny leaves.
• Leaves are hairless on the upper surface and slightly hairy on the underside.
• Flowers are small, white or pink in the spring, followed by prolific dense clusters of red/orange berries in the autumn.
• Wall Cotoneaster has branches in a ‘herringbone’ shape.

HABITAT

Widely seen in woodland, scrub, hedgerows and quarries, and on railway banks, roadsides, sand dunes, cliffs, walls and waste ground.

IMPACT: HIGH

Once Cotoneaster is established, it can dominate areas, out-competing native flora and creating dense thickets.

TOXICITY: HIGH

Poisonous if ingested in large amounts, toxic to humans, dogs, cats and horses.