Bamboo is often desired for its rapid growth and screening potential, but its underground root system, known as rhizomes, can quickly become an invasive problem. Eradication is a multi-step process that demands persistence and the correct application of both physical labor and systemic control methods. The challenge lies in the fact that bamboo is a grass, and its dense network of rhizomes is designed to store energy and spread aggressively. Successful, long-term removal depends on correctly identifying the bamboo type and consistently applying a comprehensive strategy.
Identifying Your Bamboo Type
Before attempting removal, determine whether the bamboo is a clumping or a running variety, as this dictates the difficulty and scope of the work. Running bamboo features a monopodial rhizome system that spreads horizontally, often sending out long, thin underground stems that can travel 20 feet or more in a single season. This type is highly invasive and responsible for the majority of out-of-control growth.
Clumping bamboo, by contrast, utilizes a sympodial rhizome structure where the underground stems are short, thick, and tend to curve upward close to the main plant. This growth habit keeps the plant localized, meaning the entire root ball is confined to a tight, dense area. While running bamboo rhizomes are easier to identify by their long, wandering nature, clumping bamboo forms a compact mass that is still challenging to physically remove.
The Physical Removal Approach
The process begins by cutting all above-ground canes, or culms, as close to the soil line as possible, using a saw or loppers. Removing the canes reduces the plant’s photosynthetic capacity and makes the underlying root system accessible for excavation. This initial cutting is a preparatory step and does not kill the rhizomes, which will continue to send up new shoots.
Next, excavate the main root ball and the surrounding rhizome mat, which generally resides within the top 6 to 18 inches of soil. For running varieties, dig a trench around the perimeter of the infestation to locate and sever the spreading runners. Tools such as a heavy-duty mattock, a sharp shovel, or a specialized rhizome saw are useful for cutting through the tough, dense network of roots.
The main difficulty lies in the sheer density of the rhizomes and the need to remove every fragment, especially since running bamboo can regenerate from small pieces left in the ground. After the largest sections are lifted out, sifting the soil to remove smaller fragments is necessary for thorough physical removal. For a very large, established clump, a strong pry bar or even a small excavator may be needed to loosen and lift the tightly bound mass of roots.
Systemic Methods for Eradication
Since mechanical removal often misses smaller rhizome fragments, a systemic approach is required to eradicate remaining underground energy reserves. The most effective chemical method is the cut-and-treat technique, which involves applying a systemic herbicide directly to the freshly cut culm stumps. This process bypasses the bamboo’s waxy leaves and uses the plant’s vascular system to transport the poison deep into the rhizomes.
A non-selective, concentrated systemic herbicide, often containing glyphosate, must be applied to the cut surface within minutes of the cane being severed. Bamboo stems seal quickly, so immediate application is necessary to allow the chemical to be translocated down to the root system before the plant isolates the wound. Experts recommend using a concentrated solution, such as a 20% to 40% glyphosate mixture, painted directly onto the exposed ring of the stump.
Optimal timing for this application is in the late summer or fall, when the bamboo is naturally drawing energy and nutrients down to the root system for winter storage. Applying the herbicide during this period increases the likelihood that the poison will be fully distributed throughout the rhizome network.
Starvation Method
This chemical treatment is often followed by a non-chemical starvation method for any remaining growth. Starvation involves persistently cutting or mowing any new shoots that emerge from the ground. This forces the rhizomes to use up their stored energy reserves without the ability to photosynthesize and replenish them. This process may require diligent cutting over several seasons until no new growth appears.
Long-Term Prevention of Recurrence
After removal and systemic treatments, the final step is preventing any missed rhizome fragments or encroaching runners from re-establishing the plant. Installation of a physical root barrier is the most reliable long-term solution for preventing recurrence, especially if running bamboo is present nearby.
The barrier should be made of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) material, with a thickness of at least 60 mil for standard applications, or 80 mil for aggressive species. The barrier must be buried to a minimum depth of 28 to 30 inches to ensure that rhizomes cannot dive underneath.
Crucially, the barrier must protrude about two inches above the soil line, which prevents rhizomes from growing up and over the top edge. The smooth surface of the HDPE material deflects the rhizomes, forcing them to grow upward where they can be easily spotted and pruned. Consistent monitoring for new shoots, known as sentinel canes, remains necessary for the first few years to confirm the root system has been eliminated.