Bamboo is an evergreen perennial grass known for its rapid growth rate and distinctive aesthetic, often used to create a dense screen or a striking specimen plant. While its lush appearance is appealing, many species are infamous for an aggressive spreading habit that can quickly overtake a yard. Successfully integrating this plant into a residential setting requires selecting the correct variety, understanding its biology, and implementing meticulous control measures.
Understanding the Two Major Types of Bamboo
The fundamental distinction between bamboo varieties lies in their underground root structure, which determines their growth pattern. Running bamboo, technically known as leptomorph, possesses long, slender rhizomes that spread horizontally beneath the soil surface. These rhizomes feature a growth bud at every node, allowing them to send up new canes, or culms, far from the original plant. This type expands aggressively, with rhizomes potentially traveling several yards in a single growing season. Many cold-hardy species, such as those in the Phyllostachys genus, fall into the running category.
In contrast, clumping bamboo (pachymorph) is characterized by short, thick rhizomes that grow in dense clusters. New shoots emerge immediately adjacent to the existing canes, similar to ornamental grasses. Clumping varieties, such as those in the Fargesia genus, are considered non-invasive because they expand slowly outward to form a tight, circular base. While they may eventually reach a diameter of 3 to 10 feet, the expansion rate is gradual and predictable. Even clumping types can exert strong pressure on nearby structures as the root mass densifies over time.
Legal and Community Considerations Before Planting
Before introducing any bamboo variety, investigate local regulations, as the plant’s aggressive nature has prompted widespread restrictions. Many municipalities have enacted ordinances specifically designed to control the planting and spread of running bamboo species. These local laws often mandate that property owners must contain bamboo to their own land and prevent encroachment onto sidewalks, public rights-of-way, or neighboring parcels.
Failure to comply with these ordinances can result in significant financial penalties, including daily fines until the bamboo is properly contained or removed. In some cases, the municipality may remove the offending plant and place the cost as a lien on the property owner’s tax bill. Homeowners Associations (HOAs) may also impose stricter rules that prohibit certain varieties entirely or require specific containment systems.
Beyond formal regulations, open communication with immediate neighbors is necessary. Since the property owner where the bamboo originates is typically held liable for any damage or spread, discussing planting plans can prevent future disputes. This is especially relevant if the bamboo is intended for a privacy screen near a property boundary, the area most susceptible to rhizome encroachment.
Essential Containment and Root Barrier Installation
For those who choose to plant running bamboo, proactive containment is the only way to prevent its invasive spread. The most reliable method involves installing a specialized, non-permeable root barrier made of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). This barrier should be at least 80 mil thick to provide sufficient puncture resistance against the aggressive growth of the rhizomes.
The barrier must be installed to a depth of 27 to 30 inches, which is generally deeper than the 12 inches where most bamboo rhizomes travel. The top edge of the barrier must protrude 1 to 2 inches above the soil line to intercept any rhizomes that attempt to grow upward and over the containment. Vertical installation is preferred over slanting the barrier to eliminate potential weak spots.
When connecting sections, the barrier material must be overlapped by several feet and sealed with specialized tape or stainless steel clamps to create a seamless defense. Even with a properly installed barrier, ongoing maintenance is necessary to check for escaping rhizomes. This includes annual trenching or pruning along the exterior perimeter to sever any roots that manage to escape or grow over the top.
A simpler, non-invasive option is to plant bamboo in large containers or raised planter boxes situated above ground. This method completely isolates the root system, preventing underground spread. For clumping varieties, planting in large, buried containers can serve as an effective boundary control, provided the container is strong enough to withstand the root pressure. Container-grown bamboo requires periodic division and repotting every few years to prevent the roots from becoming root-bound and potentially splitting the container.
Safe Removal and Eradication Methods
If bamboo escapes containment or requires removal, the process demands significant persistence and effort. Physical removal is the fastest route, involving the complete excavation of the entire network of rhizomes. For large, established groves, power equipment like mini-excavators may be necessary to lift the dense underground mass.
Every fragment of the rhizome system must be removed, as even small pieces left behind can re-sprout into new shoots. After excavation, the area must be diligently monitored, and new shoots must be removed immediately as they appear to starve the remaining underground tissue. This process may need to be repeated for multiple seasons.
Chemical eradication offers an alternative approach, typically utilizing systemic herbicides with the active ingredient glyphosate. This chemical is absorbed by the foliage and translocated to the rhizomes. The most effective technique is the ‘cut and paint’ method: a culm is cut close to the ground, and a concentrated herbicide solution is immediately painted onto the fresh wound. This application must occur quickly, often within seconds, before the plant seals the cut and prevents absorption. Chemical treatments are often timed for mid-September to mid-October when the bamboo is actively drawing energy down into the root system for winter storage. Multiple applications and follow-up treatments over two to three years are typically necessary to achieve complete eradication.