Yealm Estuary to Moor

It's a pest. Himalayan Balsam was brought into the UK in the mid-19th century as an ornamental garden plant. By 1855, it was growing in the wild. It has now taken over river banks and has invasive status.

Himalayan Balsam grows in dense thickets and projects its seeds up to four metres away, dominating its surrounding land and riverbanks. Thickets impede water flow and leave river banks vulnerable to erosion when dieback occurs over winter. Also, Himalayan Balsam pollen is highly attractive to insects, which may decrease the pollination of our native plants.

We've mapped the hotspots and now we're removing the Himalayan Balsam before the seeds set. The plants have shallow roots and can easily be pulled out and the plants composted or burnt if seeds are present. By repeating the process year on year control can be regained, providing the seeds aren't allowed to set.