What can I use to kill bamboo that is coming into our yard from our neighbor's yard? It sends shoots out all along the brick fence we have and now it is even coming further into our yard by traveling under the ground and coming up wherever it wants to. We get about 10 new shoots per week. I cut them down repeatedly and some die off but others just ignore my attempts.
That's a terrible problem. If you're really serious about keeping it out, I'd look up the average depth of bamboo roots and then dig a trench along your side of the fence. Then fill the trench with concrete. It's pretty extreme, but so is bamboo. Eradicating it once it's become established is a real pain, so I'd say a pound of prevention is worth a ton of cure in this case. Good luck! (05/07/2007)
By Beth
Recently I found a very informative website on bamboo. The information is quite detailed. Do a google search for American Bamboo Society. On their home page choose "General Bamboo Information". Then choose "Controlling Bamboo". Then read the section titled "Removing a running bamboo". It gives you the steps you need to take and explains why you need to take them. My guess is that it does work. Good Luck! (05/08/2007)
By Grandma Margie
dig up, pot and sell roadside. they are in big demand, this may be a blessing!! (05/08/2007)
By Heather
I've read that bamboo will spread up to 18 inches in depth so if you can put some wood or metal of an 18 inch height in the ground on your side of the yard, it will not be able to spread there.
Susan from ThriftyFun (05/08/2007)
By ThriftyFun
I have heard, but never tried, to use salt. I do know that if you put salt into hollowed out tree stumps it helps to deteriorate them quickly in order to remove. (05/09/2007)
By undefineablegrl
Have you tried spraying Round-Up on the leaves? That's supposed to kill anything! Just be careful and don't get any on the grass or surrounding flowers. Good luck, and God bless you! (05/10/2007)
By Pat Giles
I saw this issue dealt with on judge Judy. The judge said its your neighbor's responsibility to put in a plastic guard in the ground to stop the bamboo from coming into your yard. If you want to you could do it yourself which would be quit costly or notify your neighbor in writing and let them know you expect something to be done about it, and include pics (05/10/2007)
By denise w
On the subject of using Roundup to control Bamboo--I used to be a licensed lawn care technician, and I learned that even Roundup will generally not control anything that "suckers" or grows from an underground rhizome, because the plant's energy comes from a source not affected by the contact with the Roundup. I also learned (from a vet--not from the label) that Roundup is a neurotoxin, and if contacted by persons or animals, can paralyze, otherwise damage, or kill. Sorry I don't have a good alternative right now, but watch out for the "harmless", DEADLY chemicals. (05/11/2007)
This was from a 'knowledgeable source' Cut stalk to 5-10" base and pour in gasoline.Do not burn! This was said to be foolproof!
(b)Editor's Note:(/b) This would kill most anything but nothing else will grow there either. (05/17/2007)
By Dianne
Sent in by email:
Re: former tip info 'killing bamboo' believe my response was not made clear. After cutting bamboo shoots, pour a small amt. of gasoline INTO stalks, it will kill the roots, Thanks, Dianne in Pa.
By Dianne from Pa.
(b)Editor's Note:(/b) Thanks Dianne, we never know how people will use tips given so we err on the side of caution.
(05/20/2007)
By ThriftyFun
We lived in Hawaii for three years with bamboo groves galore. It grows through CONCRETE and ASPHALT, which is why the oriental armies used it for combat and building. It's TOUGH. Gasoline might stop that particular stalk, but I'd go with a deep double sheet metal partition about two feet deep all along the fence row ahead of the place where the most recent growth into your yard has invaded. Then prepare to gasoline all shoots that come up behind the metal partition.
Bamboo grows so fast that one can almost watch it grow, like banana trees, too. I don't envy your position, but I'd either go to court, or do the above. I believe from my experience with it that it's going to be a long battle for you, either way.
If the neighbor's grove is old and established, you will not likely be able to stop it's growth invasion. It's a terrible problem in the Orient, and they decided to do things with it rather than to try to fight it. I'd NEVER plant it ANYWHERE, even in a pot. It's NOT "lucky" at all. The freshest "tiny shoots" are edible when sliced, but I can't tell you more than that. Being in the cane family, it's woody stalk is an
aggressive invader. Good luck and God help you in your efforts. : )
(06/15/2007)
By Lynda
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