This Seattle area Bamboo supplier make it VERY clear on their web site that making sure Bamboo does NOT escape is every bamboo planters responsibility.
No man made barrier will ever be 100% effective. Mother nature and it's child "Bamboo" will always in the end find a way to out smart humans. Maintenance on a continuous twice yearly care of all bamboo plantings is highly recommended and an important part of the containment system. Without proper maintenance the bamboo will escape. With proper maintenance of a rhizome barrier containment system eventually even the 60 mil barrier will eventually fail.
Here's their e-mail address do you can ask questions: E-mail Bamboo Gardener at james AT bamboogardener.com
AND HERE'S YOUR ANSWER: Q. My bamboo is growing where I don't want it. What can I do? The long answer, with more information, is here.
If bamboo has been planted without root barrier and is now growing where you don't want it, you have several choices. The choices all start out with digging a trench about 3 feet deep around the area where you want the bamboo to grow. You can then install root barrier, pour concrete at least three inches thick or fill the trench with loose gravel. You can rent trench digging machines at equipment rental stores. Root barriers available from larger nurseries. It comes in very long rolls, should be at least 0.040 inch thick and about three feet high. Expect it to cost between $1 and $2 per foot.
If you choose root barrier or concrete, you should leave an inch or two above ground level to make it easier to find the roots that try to escape over the top of the barrier. If you choose the loose rock fill, you will have to use a sharp spade at the beginning of every growing season to cut down into the trench and sever any new roots that try to cross the trench. Rhizomes that have already extended outside their area can be dug up. If that isn't practical, continue to knock over all new shoots you see for the next few seasons, once the rhizomes are severed from the main plant, and the rhizomes will eventually die.
Sometimes a local grower will be interested in digging it up if it is something a little unusual. You may be able to find a local grower by asking a nursery where they get theirs or from the ABS Species Source List, which has a section on bamboo suppliers across the country. He or she can give you more specific information about containing it further.
---> I myself, would recommend sheets of galvanized roof flashing... That's the only thing that will hold up for the long run, but that Seattle area Bamboo Supplier (above) says you can save money by buying thick density plastic. But as they say, it'll eventually fail. You sure do have a mess on you hands! Last year I WAS thinking about planting a bamboo privacy screen when my partner warned me. "Sheesh! Cyinda. Think of the neighbors. That stuff TRAVELS!". So I changed my mind & am planting hedges & vines on lattice instead.
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Request: Bamboo Invading Our Yard
Archived on 04/19/2008
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. We can't pull it out like a regular weed either.
We have talked to them about it and they don't seem to believe it is their problem to deal with. Other than this problem, they are very nice neighbors so we really would like a solution that keeps it from coming onto our property.
Thanks for any help you can give.
Threegetts from Rio Rancho, NM
Answers:
RE: Bamboo Invading Our Yard
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)
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
RE: Bamboo Invading Our Yard
dig up, pot and sell roadside. they are in big demand, this may be a blessing!! (05/08/2007)
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)
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
RE: Bamboo Invading Our Yard
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)
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
RE: Bamboo Invading Our Yard
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)
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)
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)
