Bamboo Invading Our Yard

By

mboteler

My irresponsible neighbor planted bamboo years ago without a root barrier. I just bought and installed 14" roof flashing along the 40 feet of fence where the bamboo is growing into my yard. Dug up lots of roots. But the idea of roof flashing proposed here was a real money saver, about $50 for 50 feet. The project wasn''t that hard. I just attached the flashing to the fence posts after digging a 14" trench. Thanks for the tip.

By

Cyinda

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.

Here's what they say about their Rhizome Barriers (from the URL below)
http://www.bamboogardener.com/containment.html

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

They also reference: THE AMERICAN BAMBOO SOCIETY
http://www.americanbamboo.org/
I searched the American Bamboo Society's web site under "Bamboo Escape" & got their FAQ: (it's worth reading!) http://americanbamboo.org/FAQ.html

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.