COOS RIVER - It's green, it's leafy, and it's also a pest.

Knotweed has begun to overrun parts of the Coos Watershed, but now there's a free, easy program homeowners can take advantage of to get control of the rapidly growing plant.

Summer weather marks the beginning of Knotweed growing season in the Coos Watershed.

There are two types of the plant, both Japanese and Himalayan Knotweed, that grow along the South Fork of the Coos River and parts of the Millicoma River.

The weed grows quickly, spreads easily, and displaces beneficial, native, vegetation, which is why the Coos Watershed Association has implemented a free control program for landowners.

"This year we're doing it earlier because we want to hit it before it gets really dense. It's not like a gardening herbicide or something like that. It's proven very effective. Rather than having people take it into their own hands and try and control it themselves, this is something that we're offering," says Tyler Pedersen with the Coos Watershed Association.

Pedersen adds it's important not to cut Knotweed because it can regrow stronger and taller than before.

Instead, he hopes homeowners who have the plant on their property will take part in the free program.

For more information contact the Coos Watershed Association at 888-5922 or log onto www.cooswatershed.org/knotweed.