Getting rid of bamboo can become a nightmare as it is a popular and desirable ornamental plant for the garden.
Getting rid of bamboo can be a difficult task best left to professionals. Bamboo is a popular choice for British gardens, growing quickly and adapting well to the local climate. It’s typically planted out in the spring, allowing the nutrient-packed rhizomes to establish the plant before the harsher weather hits. Different varieties of bamboo are at home in different conditions, and there’s a species suited to almost every garden. Bamboo’s notoriety as a prolific grower is what causes problems as it can soon get out of control, then it’s time to call in the experts to get rid of bamboo.
Bamboo spreads rapidly and is robust enough to grow through concrete, tarmac, and paving. It can cause structural damage and has been known to invade neighbouring properties.
Using herbicides to control bamboo
Bamboo is resilient to a number of common herbicides, but when applied correctly it can help control its spread. It will require repeated application over several years to get the problem under control, but it is considerably cheaper than extracting large stands of bamboo. Care should be paid to any surrounding plants that could be affected by herbicides.
It’s also possible to cut back bamboo and inject herbicides directly into the remaining stumps.
Excavation and removal of bamboo
If you’re looking for a faster solution to your bamboo problem, removing the offending plants and their root systems might be the answer. Bamboo rhizomes don’t grow particularly deep in the soil, but they are incredibly resilient. Smaller roots may be removed by hand, but for larger and more established stands, you will require an excavator. An experienced expert should be able to guide you through your options.
The excavated bamboo should then be removed from the site and responsibly disposed of.
Using a root barrier to contain bamboo
Prevention is better than cure, and if you’re planning on adding a bamboo stand to your garden you may wish to install a root barrier first to prevent future problems. A root barrier is a robust membrane that surrounds the roots of your bamboo, preventing it from spreading beyond a certain area. Bamboo will easily overcome lightweight barriers from your local garden centre, so it is important to have yours professionally selected and installed.
PBA’s Root Barrier Store has published the ‘Guide to Installing Bamboo Root Barrier‘ – a 20 point guide to installing bamboo root barrier the right way.
Bamboo can also be planted in pots, raised beds and troughs, but it’s important to make sure that those pesky roots don’t have an escape route. A layer of permeable membrane at the bottom of the container will prevent the bamboo from growing through the drainage holes and creating future problems.
PBA Solutions is a specialist supplier of bamboo root barriers and we have many years of experience installing them. Our range is designed to suit many different purposes and can be ordered in a variety of widths and lengths depending upon your needs. CuTex geotextile root barrier is permeable, allowing horizontal placement without water retention occurring, while VertiRoot is a solid barrier perfect for longer vertical installs.
Just call 0203 174 2187 or 01202 816134 to talk to one of our consultants.