How to Kill Invasive Bamboo

Controlling and killing invasive bamboo can become a major multi-year project.

Bamboo is a favorite ornamental plant that, if not properly controlled, can quickly get out of hand and become highly invasive. Some varieties are very difficult, but not impossible, to kill. Many species of bamboo propagate via runners. People inexperienced with bamboo often plant bamboo without barriers. This allows the runners to expand far outside the intended cultivation area. If you are trying to control the spread of bamboo while keeping the original planting, dig down deeply alongside the area you want to keep, and install a minimum 40 mil. plastic barrier. Once installed, you can proceed to kill the invasive areas.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears or saw
• Shovel
• Sod
• Lawn mower

Instructions

1. Cut off the bamboo canes as close to the ground as possible. This will deny the bamboo energy and nutrients from the leaves. You can cut softer bamboo with a pair of pruning shears. Harder bamboo may require a saw.

2. Dig out the obvious root areas. Dig deep to get all of the rhizome to prevent re-growth.

3. Follow any runners, and dig them out. Many types of bamboo create large networks of rhizomes, so you may need to dig out a large area.

4. Watch the bamboo for re-growth. Aggressively cut new growth, and dig out the rhizomes. For certain types of bamboo, this process can take two or more growing seasons.

5. Consider sodding over areas where you have removed bamboo. This will ensure that you are mowing any stray areas of re-growth. In particularly aggressive areas of re-growth, dig up the sod, and remove any newly rooted areas of bamboo or rhizomes.

Tips & Warnings

• Some varieties of bamboo can take years to kill. Be patient; with time you can be successful.

• Do not pause in your efforts to kill the bamboo. Long pauses in the process can allow the invasive bamboo to re-establish itself.

References

• Complete Bamboo: How to Remove Bamboo