Bamboo Removal Devon, Cornwall, Bristol, Dorset, and Somerset

Expert Solutions for Invasive Bamboo Problems Across the Southwest

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About Bamboo and Its Invasive Nature

Bamboo is a common name for a large group of plants in the grass family, made up of over 1,000 species. Over 30 species are available in the UK as ornamental garden plants.

It makes for an excellent screening plant with decorative appeal, but its fast-growing nature makes it difficult to control. In many cases, it becomes invasive and a nuisance to property owners.

Not all homeowners know its effects on their land or how to manage and control plant growth. As a result, the plant, due to its invasive nature, risks encroaching on and overtaking other plants around it and invading spaces for other uses.

Understanding the different types and their effects is essential before settling on the most effective way to control their growth. This page breaks down everything you need to know about its growth and removal in Devon, Cornwall, Bristol, Dorset, and Somerset.

There are many types, some more invasive and uncontrollable than others. However, there are two major types in the UK: Running Bamboo and Clumping Bamboo.

Case study:

Bamboo removal due to health and safety concerns at a local school

Southwest Knotweed were asked to conduct a full removal of two stands of Bamboo (Arrow Bamboo) at a school in Cornwall, due to the sharp culms which could cause potential injury to children using the recreational space. Here we document the process.
Bamboo Removal

Bamboo removal at a Pre-School, Ashburton, Devon

Southwest Knotweed were commissioned to manage a Bamboo infestation at a Pre-School in Ashburton, Devon. The Bamboo had penetrated the stone-built exterior walls and had been present for many years, evident from the mature culm size and lateral spread.

Due to restricted access, a chemical treatment programme was chosen over excavation. The team cut down the Bamboo culms and applied a specialist treatment containing Glyphosate and Pelargonic Acid. All cut material was safely removed to a licensed green waste facility.

Southwest Knotweed will return for follow-up monitoring over the next two years, ensuring effective control and providing a 5-Year Guarantee upon completion of the full programme.

Overgrown bamboo problem in Devon

bamboo being removed in Devon

Running Bamboo

running bamboo treatment and removal

A fast-growing variety that spreads its root system below the soil surface and can grow as far as 30 meters from the original plant.

The growth is entirely unnoticeable to the eye. You will only discover it when the lateral rhizomes grow shoots in a new area. This variety can cause significant damage to buildings and property, as it can grow through cracked pipework, drains, broken brickwork, walls, and patios.

Whilst there is no specific legislation for bamboo, landowners and homeowners are offered protection from potential encroachment issues by public nuisance legislation. If encroachment occurs without action from the property of concern, legal action can be taken.

Clumping Bamboo

bamboo clumping roots

Clumping Bamboo is less invasive as the shoots grow close together.

The rhizomes in the clumping variety grow vertically compared to the running variety, which grows horizontally. Although less invasive, it can still overgrow its allocated space, overpower other plants, or invade spaces set aside for other purposes. It causes more damage as it grows and is best controlled from the onset through contained methods.

How Fast Does Bamboo Grow?

The growth rate depends on various factors, including location, air, soil, water, and other ground conditions.

Because of the unpredictability of the growth rate in the UK, landowners must be careful when planting.

Additionally, they should seek professional advice from someone who understands the area’s features for plant growth and how to control it if it becomes invasive.

The running variety attains its mature height quickly and spreads its root system even faster. It can reach 8–10 meters in height and produces numerous shoots. To control its root growth, you should plant it in a strong pot or within a root barrier system.

In Devon’s climate, bamboo can reach mature height quickly, making early intervention essential for local homeowners and businesses.

You should seek professional intervention should the plant start to become a nuisance, either through encroachment on or off site, or by breaching an installed barrier.

The clumping variety grows shorter than the running variety, reaching up to 5 meters high. The turf, however, can spread wide over time if left unattended. They can also grow 30–45 cm taller every year until they reach optimum height.

A fully developed bamboo’s height can range from a few centimetres to 8 meters, with diameters between 1 mm and 30 cm.

Does Bamboo Cause Problems for Homeowners?

Being invasive has attracted the attention of the property market, and bamboo has been labelled as one of the plants that can devalue a property.

It’s among the most damaging garden plants because new canes sprout from the ground at full diameter and grow to maximum height in a single growing season, usually 3–4 months. It brings more harm than good and should be controlled immediately.

Problems include:

  • Overgrowing and causing damage to unwanted areas such as drainage, wall crevices, and taking over lawns, flowerbeds, and patios
  • Devaluing property by weakening walls, eating into concrete grounds, and blocking drainage systems
  • Root systems and runners being tough, making it hard to use regular garden tools for maintenance
  • Overspilling into adjoining property, leading to disputes and potential legal conflicts

Bamboo Control & Removal

It is hard to control, mainly because herbicides available to the public have little or no effect on the plant. Therefore, using a professional contractor such as Southwest Knotweed is recommended due to the knowledge and expertise we can offer.

Another alternative to controlling it on your own is running its energy low by continuously cutting off new canes until the rhizomes are depleted. However, this method is slow, time-consuming, and ineffective in most scenarios.

At Southwest Knotweed, we have conducted intensive research on the most effective way to eradicate bamboo and settled on excavation. Excavation and removal ensure that all traces are eradicated.

Our process is thorough:

  1. Cutting down all canes above ground level
  2. Extracting the rhizomes beneath ground level, screening soil until no rhizome is visible
  3. Levelling the ground, ready for landscaping

We are also equipped with treatment technologies to ensure no new plants sprout after our services.

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5-Year Guarantee on All Bamboo Removal

Need Help with Bamboo Removal or Treatment?

TicksOur specialists offer professional services across Devon, Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, and Cornwall. Call your local Southwest Knotweed branch or use our free identification service to get expert advice and on-site support.

See our full range of bamboo treatment options below.

Bamboo Removal Treatments

Bamboo Herbicide Treatment

Pros

  • Cost effective
  • Treatment can be carried out in situ without risk of spreading the plant further
  • Quickly reduces capacity of the plant to spread on/off site
  • Quickly eliminates the capacity to impact built structures
  • Easy to administer

Cons

  • Can take many years to achieve acceptable results, especially where culms are mature
  • Requires at least 2 years of monitoring after growth has ceased
  • Not suitable for sites with future development involving soil disturbance
  • Construction works cannot continue in areas still containing bamboo
  • Herbicide use restricted near waterbodies and desired vegetation
  • Some herbicides can persist in the soil
  • Some herbicides persist in soil, risking regrowth if disturbed
  • Effective control requires expert knowledge of bamboo herbicide treatment
  • Herbicide treatment can induce temporary dormancy

Bamboo Screening

Pros

  • Can be cost effective
  • Less material to dispose of
  • Treated soil can be re-introduced as fill or landscaping material
  • Less imported soil required

Cons

  • Small fragments may remain, leading to re-infestation
  • Area where screened soils are re-used must be monitored for regrowth
  • Follow up herbicide treatment or manual removal may be required
  • Plant material can be accidentally spread during movement
  • Soil type and makeup dictate if it can be screened or not

Bamboo Burial

Pros

  • Does not require a set-a-side area for control
  • Work can continue immediately after burial
  • Quickly removes Bamboo from an undesirable area

Cons

  • Restrictions remain on the site (e.g. deep excavation may interfere with buried material)
  • The use of the area above burial site is limited
  • Typically requires a large hole to receive material, so may not be possible if soil is shallow or the water table is high
  • The appropriate environment agency must be notified
  • Plant material can be accidentally spread during movement

Bamboo Excavation

When time is critical—e.g., developers avoiding costly delays—spraying and mechanical removal are usually resorted to.

Best practice involves spraying the affected area several weeks prior to excavation to allow herbicide into the root system.

It is essential that all bamboo runners/roots are removed and carefully transported off site.

In some cases, geo membranes will be used to line the excavated area to prevent spread of remaining roots.

With all bamboo work, BIO SECURITY must be applied;

  • All equipment washed down in a designated area
  • Footwear cleaned
  • Overalls cleaned
  • Pathways of spread (risk evaluated)
  • Water Courses

Even after mechanically removing bamboo, it is advisable to continue to monitor the site and be prepared to spray for re-growth.

The one major drawback with excavation is cost. However, this method is the most efficient and reliable compared to the alternatives.

Property Care Association (PCA)

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5-Year 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.

Get in touch

Please contact your local Southwest Knotweed office to discuss bamboo removal on your premises.

Bamboo removal in Cornwall / Truro

01872 500909

Bamboo removal in Devon / Exeter

01392 927390

Bamboo removal in Somerset / Bridgewater / Bristol

01278 247869

Bamboo removal in Bournemouth / Dorset

01202 287517