Japanese Knotweed is a seriously aggressive invasive plant species. Introduced to give people privacy in their backyards, it can seriously threaten people and the environment. This plant is such an issue in our area that we conduct treatment to get control this plant. Its aggressive root system can grow through people's foundations and fencing. The leaves shade out their neighbors. The plant's slender baboo-like stalk can grow very tall. Japanese Knotweed is also commonly called "bamboo" or "Michigan bamboo". This plant has extensive underground taproots that can reach about 7ft from its plant. In addition, the plant can regenerate from a fragment of any part of the plant. We do not recommend managing this species without proper herbicide certification. Mowing this can distress the plant, which will cause it to grow "runners" under the ground.