Bamboo, a woody perennial grass, is often desired for its rapid growth and screening capabilities, but it can quickly become an aggressive landscape problem due to its unique root structure. Permanent removal is a challenging process that requires a multi-step approach because of the plant’s extensive underground network of rhizomes. These horizontal underground stems store significant energy reserves, allowing the plant to rapidly send up new shoots, or culms, far from the original planting. Eradicating bamboo permanently means systematically depleting these reserves while preventing new growth from establishing photosynthesis.
Identifying the Bamboo Type
The first step in any removal strategy is correctly identifying the type of bamboo present, as this determines the necessary level of effort. Bamboo is categorized into two main groups based on its rhizome structure: running and clumping. Running bamboo, which includes species like Phyllostachys, uses monopodial rhizomes that grow horizontally and spread aggressively, sometimes traveling many feet from the parent plant before sending up a new culm.
Clumping bamboo, such as those in the Bambusa genus, is far less aggressive, utilizing sympodial rhizomes that are short and curved. These short rhizomes cause the new culms to grow close to the original plant, expanding the clump slowly and predictably.
Clumping bamboo is generally easier to manage and remove, often requiring only physical digging, whereas running bamboo demands a more intensive, multi-year strategy. The identification of the rhizome type dictates whether the solution requires mere containment or complete, persistent eradication.
Eradication Through Physical Removal and Starvation
For smaller colonies or for those who prefer non-chemical methods, physical removal and starvation are the primary techniques. The first action is to cut all above-ground culms down to the ground level using loppers or a saw. Removing this foliage immediately prevents the plant from performing photosynthesis, which is how it generates new energy.
Once the culms are removed, the most effective physical step is the laborious process of digging out the entire root ball and rhizome network. Rhizomes are typically concentrated in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil, but they can extend deeper, requiring the use of a sharp spade or mattock to cut through the tough, interconnected system. Any fragment of rhizome left behind can sprout a new shoot, so sifting the soil to locate stray pieces is highly recommended.
The “starvation” method is a long-term approach to deplete the plant’s reserves. This involves continuously cutting or mowing down every new shoot, or “spear,” as soon as it emerges from the ground. The plant is forced to use its stored energy to produce new growth that is immediately destroyed, eventually exhausting the underground rhizome system over a period that can take one to three growing seasons.
Chemical Treatment for Stubborn Growth
When physical methods prove insufficient, particularly with extensive or aggressive running bamboo, systemic herbicides provide a more direct method of control. The most effective chemical for bamboo eradication is a high-concentration product containing glyphosate, a non-selective systemic herbicide. Glyphosate is translocated throughout the plant, moving from the treated foliage or cut stem down into the rhizomes where it can kill the entire network.
The most successful application technique is the “cut-and-paint” method, which minimizes collateral damage to surrounding plants. This involves cutting the bamboo culms a few inches above the ground and immediately applying a concentrated glyphosate solution directly to the fresh-cut surface. The herbicide is absorbed by the vascular tissue and quickly moved to the rhizomes before the cut can seal.
Another approach is the foliar application, where the leaves of new growth are sprayed. This timing is strategic because the bamboo is actively drawing energy and nutrients down to its rhizomes in preparation for winter, which maximizes the translocation of the herbicide to the root system. For this method, it is often recommended to cut all the culms down, allow them to re-sprout to about three feet tall, and then spray the new, tender foliage.
Long-Term Monitoring and Prevention of Recurrence
Achieving permanent eradication requires a dedicated monitoring phase that extends well beyond the initial removal effort. Even after all visible growth is gone, dormant rhizome fragments can remain viable underground for one to two years. Consistent inspection for emergent shoots is necessary, and any new growth must be immediately cut or treated to ensure the remaining reserves are fully depleted.
To prevent re-infestation, especially from neighboring properties, the installation of a physical root barrier is highly recommended. These barriers are typically constructed from a smooth, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material, which is difficult for the sharp rhizomes to penetrate. The barrier must be installed vertically into a trench, reaching a depth of at least 30 inches to intercept the deepest rhizomes.
It is also crucial that the barrier extends two to three inches above the soil line to prevent rhizomes from growing over the top and escaping the contained area. This long-term vigilance, combined with the physical barrier, creates a final line of defense, ensuring that any stray or migrating rhizomes cannot re-establish a colony on the property.