Bamboo control and/or replacement

Emma225 · May 2020

I have a bamboo that came with the house when I bought it some years ago. It's far more invasive than I would like. The garden borders a chalk Downland stream which is both rare and also home to lots of wildlife including water voles, otters as well as lots of ducks and birds including kingfishers. I'd like to ideally remove the bamboo and replace it with something else that can provide wildlife habitat or failing that find some way of restricting the growth both vertically and across the small lawn. It's a small plot with full sun and naturally clay soil.

KT53 · May 2020

If it's invasive the best plan is to remove it completely. It's not an easy job but can be done. Cut the growth down to about 3 feet, that's to leave enough to get hold of when removing the root ball (voice of experience!), Dig round the clump with a mattock and axe to cut the runners. Chop the root ball into manageable chunks and remove one section at a time.

Then comes the fun bit (not). You need to trace each runner away from the main clump and remove them. As bamboo tend to run fairly shallow, I found the best method was to put the end of the runner up, and then cut the lawn along the ridge as it appears. Continue pulling up and cutting , moving onto side shoots and repeat the process.

It's time consuming, but I completely eradicated a clump about 10 feet by 3 feet using that method. Regular mowing will eventually kill any new growth if it appears in the lawn.

Emma225 · May 2020

Thanks. My clump is about twice that size but I'll have a go. Any recommendations for something to replace it that's good for wildlife?

Bamboo control and/or replacement

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