American Skunk Cabbage Removal

Invasive plants can cause serious harm to gardens, waterways, and local ecosystems, threatening biodiversity and the natural balance of your surroundings. As trusted landscape specialists in North Devon and West Somerset, Birch Meadow Landscaping provides expert identification, management, and removal of invasive species that can quickly take over your land.

Whether it’s American Skunk Cabbage, Japanese Knotweed, or Himalayan Balsam, our team delivers safe and effective removal solutions tailored to your property. We focus on long-term results, ensuring your garden or wetland is restored and protected for years to come.

American Skunk Cabbage & Why It Must Be Removed

American Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus) is an invasive aquatic plant that may look striking with its large green leaves and bright yellow flowers, but it poses a serious threat to native habitats across the UK. Once admired as an ornamental water garden plant, it has now spread aggressively through rivers, ponds, and wetlands outcompeting native species and altering fragile ecosystems.

How It Reached North Devon and West Somerset

American Skunk Cabbage was first introduced to Britain in the early 20th century for decorative use in gardens and ponds. Over time, it escaped cultivation as seeds were carried by water into rivers and wetland areas. There, it found ideal growing conditions and began to spread rapidly.

Today, it’s firmly established in many parts of England, Scotland, and Wales, with growing concern about its impact in the South West, including North Devon and West Somerset.

Why It’s a Problem

While it might seem harmless in small garden ponds, in the wild it becomes a destructive force:

• Smothers native species – The plant’s huge leaves block light from plants such as marsh marigold and wild sedge.
• Disrupts wetland ecosystems – It alters soil and water conditions, harming sensitive habitats.
• Spreads quickly – Each plant produces thousands of seeds, while rhizomes allow regrowth even after cutting.
• Hard to eradicate – Once established, infestations are expensive and time-consuming to remove.
  
  

Under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it’s an offence to plant or cause American Skunk Cabbage to spread in the wild.

How to Remove American Skunk Cabbage

If you find this plant on your land, it’s essential to act quickly. Effective management depends on the size and location of the infestation.

1. Manual Removal
Ideal for small areas and young plants. Remove the entire plant, including all rhizomes, and dispose of waste via council-approved green waste facilities. Never compost it.

2. Repeated Cutting
Cutting back flowers and leaves weakens the plant but won’t destroy the roots. Regular cutting over several seasons is required to reduce regrowth.

3. Professional Herbicide Treatment
In larger or sensitive areas, targeted herbicide application may be necessary. Glyphosate can be used under licence by trained professionals to control growth safely.

4. Long-Term Monitoring
Seeds can remain dormant in the soil for years, so follow-up checks are essential to prevent reinfestation.

Professional Help With Skunk Cabbage Removal

Tackling American Skunk Cabbage requires experience, patience, and the right equipment. At Birch Meadow Landscaping, we’ve spent years managing invasive plant species across North Devon and West Somerset, helping homeowners, landowners, and conservation groups reclaim their land.

• Specialist knowledge – Our team understands how to identify and control invasive species effectively.
• Safe and compliant methods – We follow all environmental and waste regulations.
• Long-term management – We provide aftercare and monitoring to prevent regrowth.
• Habitat protection – We restore wetlands and gardens with minimal disruption to native plants and wildlife.
  
  

If you’re dealing with an infestation, we can handle the process from start to finish—safely, legally, and effectively.

Preventing Further Spread

To reduce the risk of American Skunk Cabbage spreading further:

• Do not buy or plant it in ponds, wetlands, or gardens.
• Choose native alternatives like Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) or Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus).
• Report sightings in the wild to Natural England or your local wildlife trust.
  
  

Protecting North Devon and West Somerset’s Wetlands

American Skunk Cabbage is no longer just a garden curiosity, it’s a major environmental concern across the UK. Left unchecked, it can destroy native wetland habitats and reduce biodiversity.

The good news is that with early action and professional management, infestations can be controlled and prevented from returning.

Birch Meadow Landscaping are trusted specialists in invasive plant removal across North Devon and West Somerset.
Contact us today for expert advice, removal, and long-term solutions.