Bamboo is a large group of over 1,000 species of plants in the grass family. In the United Kingdom, more than thirty species are often grown as ornamental garden plants.
Bamboo is grown as an effective screening plant that provides garden decoration but is difficult to manage because of its fast growth and often becomes an invasive nuisance to property owners.
Few property owners understand the effect that bamboo can have on their property and how best to manage it and control it.
Its invasive nature can mean that it does not leave any room for other plants to flourish in that area or even leaves the area with not enough space to be used for the intended purpose.
Understanding the different types of bamboo plants and their characteristics helps to determine what the best control measures for managing bamboo may be.
This guide will outline information on bamboo growth and removal, specifically for properties in Cornwall, Devon, Bristol, Dorset, and Somerset.
There are various types of bamboo plants, and some are far more invasive than others. However, within the United Kingdom, there are two types of bamboo that are most commonly found: running bamboo and clumping bamboo.
Southwest Knotweed was instructed to remove two stands of Arrow Bamboo from a school in Cornwall. The bamboo has sharp culms and was a potential cause of injury to children in the play area. The details below describe the process of removal.
This invasive species of bamboo grows with roots that spread laterally up to 20 metres from the plant itself. Bamboo grows underground but only becomes visible when its lateral bamboo rhizomes begin to shoot up new bamboo Culms in new areas. This invasive bamboo species can damage your property by exploiting weaknesses in your pipes, drains, bricks, walls, patios, and even your building’s foundation.
At the moment, there is no individual piece of legislation in the UK that governs the growth of bamboo.
However, homeowners and landowners are protected by the common law on public nuisance if bamboo spreads to a neighbouring property.
Should bamboo spread to affect neighbouring properties by allowing its spread to continue, legal action can be brought against a homeowner whose property that bamboo was once confined to.
In order not to damage your property and become the subject of legal action, it is strongly advised that you keep this invasive species of bamboo in check before it damages your property or spreads to other properties.
Clumping Bamboo is vertically orientated in its rhizome growth, as opposed to the running type, whose rhizomes grow horizontally. Clumping bamboo is less conservative than running bamboo; however, it can still outgrow its space, outcompete other plants, and take over where something else is desired. If it is left alone, it can still do damage, so it is best to think of means to control it.
In the United Kingdom, factors such as local area, soil, water, air quality and sub-ground conditions will affect how quickly bamboo grows.
Bamboo growth is erratic and can rapidly take over land, so landowners should be careful when planting bamboo.
To allow the bamboo to grow safely and not become invasive, landowners are highly encouraged to consult with an expert in the removal and control of bamboo who is familiar with local factors.
Running species of bamboo can grow extremely quickly to a height of 8 to 10 metres and spread at a rapid rate with their roots. These species of bamboo produce many shoots and can quickly take over. In order to limit bamboo growth and to prevent bamboo from becoming invasive, a strong pot or a professionally installed root barrier should be put in place.
If bamboo begins to overtake the local area by encroaching on neighbouring land or breaches an existing boundary, professional bamboo removal or containment services should be sought as a matter of urgency to limit further complications.
Non-invasive clumping species of bamboo can reach a height of 5 metres but will also require monitoring. A mature bamboo plant in the United Kingdom can grow up to 8 metres high and a diameter anywhere between 1 mm and 20 cm.
Due to being an invasive plant, bamboo has piqued the property market’s interest and is considered one of the plants that causes devaluation of a property.
Bamboo is one of the most destructive garden plants because new canes grow, at full thickness and height, every growing season (normally 3-4 months). It does far more harm than good and should be treated immediately.
The problems bamboo causes homeowners are:
Bamboo can be exceptionally difficult to control, as most herbicides available to the public are ineffective.
So, this is best done by a professional contractor such as Southwest Knotweed, who has specialist experience. At Southwest Knotweed, we have researched the best ways to clear big areas of bamboo.
We provide excavation for all sizes of clumps, performed by our operatives with the right machinery and equipment. Our specialists use equipment to excavate the rhizomes and screen the soil.
Once the bamboo has been removed, our operatives will soft-landscape the site, and we will issue a number of monitoring visits and a guarantee.
Your peace of mind, protected. We stand by our bamboo removal work with a comprehensive five-year guarantee. If any regrowth occurs, we’ll return and take care of it — ensuring long-term results.
