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Long stems on Bamboo

Bright starBright star Posts: 1,153
in Plants
We share a fence with our neighbours and they have planted some bamboo on their side. These long stems have appeared (on their side) in the last few days and I can see more developing. Should I be worried as I know some bamboo’s can be very invasive. The neighbours are about to move house.

Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

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  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    I have a solicitor friend who poisoned his neighbour's tree whilst the neighbour was on holiday.

    I don't recommend this, but a lifetime in law must have taught him something.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited May 2023
    bédé said:
    I have a solicitor friend who poisoned his neighbour's tree whilst the neighbour was on holiday.

    I don't recommend this, but a lifetime in law must have taught him something.
    It would seem to have taught him nothing at all about morality. 

    And you call this person your friend?

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    You will need to be vigilant on your side. Keep a weekly check for the young growths coming through. They may not be right by your fence they maybe further into the flower bed or lawn. If you find some you can try digging down to find the runner (not easy), cut down to below soil level or use a systemic weed killer when the leaves show signs of opening (but take care).
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Can you ask them if they know the name of it so you know whether it’s a genuine clumping bamboo or a running type? Hopefully they’ve kept the label. Is it properly contained in a planter or direct in the ground? If it was in the ground that would really concern me because it does look to be planted far too close to the fence.

    The runners are the invasive type. The clumpers are not, but can still become very large plants because the clump will gradually grow bigger over the years and exert pressure on the fence. They are leaving you and the new neighbour with a slowly ticking time bomb. That was nice of them!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    The size of the new growth will have been a likey result of last year weather, hence why it's so large unless they normally cut it to the fence level. It's a warning sign for sure but not all bamboos (including runnin types) are terrible. 
    I'd ask the neighbour which species is it and how it is planted (ie root barriers) and try and persuade them to either take it with them or let you dig it up before the new neighbours are in.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited May 2023
    @Bright star A house survey on my property asked for a bamboo to be 'removed or cut back' it is a clumping bamboo. It took me just five minutes to slice down through the roots to contain it. Without due care it can spread.
    Running Bamboo can cause serious issues if not regulary root pruned. Walls can be damaged and patio blocks lifted.
    With wetter winters there are more concerns regarding Black Bamboo [which is a runner] and the rate at which it spreads.
    The problem is people buy then to screen things and forget about maintenace. Thinning and root pruning is necessary.
    Difficult to tell from photos but if it is in your garden and you can take a look at the root a quick look on line will show the difference.

    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    I don’t think any bamboo is bad per se, so long as the gardener knows what they are doing, they can add grace, structure and screening to a garden without running amok. 

    But there’s the rub. They are often miss-sold, chosen in ignorance of their ultimate spread or running capacity, badly planted in inappropriate places e.g. in small gardens next to fences, rarely properly contained or maintained and with no eye to the future. I suspect all of the above applies in this case and if you can get it removed so much the better.

    I am the unlucky owner of an inherited stand of running golden bamboo that is becoming increasingly difficult to contain. It’s now growing down the bank and popping up through the tarmac on the road 6 metres below, through a tangle of hedgerow trees. I do feel rather strongly about the topic as a result!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Bright starBright star Posts: 1,153
    Thank you for all your replies. My next door neighbours are not gardeners at all, their house was the show house and was already planted up by the developers so it’s highly unlikely that a label was kept. The bamboo has been dug up several times and moved around the garden and has finally landed up planted right next to the shared fence. 
    We were hoping that it would just die of neglect but alas no! I will remain vigilant and mention my concerns about it to the new neighbours. 
    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • Bright starBright star Posts: 1,153

    I’ve just found this photo of the bamboo from the house sale info

    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited May 2023
    If it is coming under your fence you have every right to root prune it. I doubt that it is a clumper.

    I doubt if housing developers would use it now but they do plant some ridiculous things.
    Hebes in shade, laurels and eleagnus to be kept to half a metre tall. Viburnum Tinus packed in tight. All for immediate impact without a thought for the future.Photinias in cold east facing aspects doomed!

    There should be some rules for new home developers regarding sustainability. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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