Bamboo, with its lush foliage and fast growth, can bring a touch of the exotic to UK gardens. However, beneath its graceful appearance lies a potential menace: its roots. Known for their aggressive spread, bamboo roots (or rhizomes) can become highly invasive, causing significant problems for gardeners and even neighbouring properties.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the nature of bamboo roots, their capacity to travel far and wide, and the challenges involved when deciding how to remove bamboo roots.

Invasive bamboo roots

Bamboo spreads through a network of underground rhizomes (commonly called roots) that shoot outwards from the main plant. One bamboo root can travel several metres in a single growing season, depending on the species and conditions. In the UK, running bamboo species like Phyllostachys are particularly notorious for their ability to spread quickly and unpredictably.

Without proper containment, a small clump of bamboo can turn into a sprawling, invasive network, creating headaches for homeowners and landscapers alike.

How to get rid of bamboo roots

Removing bamboo roots is no easy task. Once established, their extensive and interwoven rhizomes make eradication a backbreaking process. What makes bamboo roots especially problematic is their resilience. They can penetrate cracks in walls, paving, and even drains, causing costly damage. This is why many people resort to professional bamboo removal. Here are the most common approaches:

Digging out bamboo roots

Digging is one of the most effective but labour-intensive methods of removing bamboo roots. Even with diligence, it’s easy to miss fragments of the rhizomes, which can sprout new shoots and reignite the problem. For larger infestations, this process can take days or even weeks of sustained effort. The best tool for digging up bamboo roots is a mechanical excavator – but if you don’t have that you can dig bamboo roots up with a strong spade and a mattock.

Bamboo root killer

Chemical control, often in the form of glyphosate-based weedkillers, can be used to kill bamboo roots. You can get rid of bamboo roots using chemicals – but it will also kill the above-ground plant – so it’s not a good idea if the bamboo belongs to your neighbour! Additionally, care must be taken to avoid harming nearby plants or polluting the soil.

Cutting bamboo roots

Cutting or pruning bamboo roots regularly is a good way to stop bamboo spreading and to make removing running bamboo roots easier. Thin rhizomes can be cut with a sharp spade. Thicker rhizomes will need to be uncovered and cut with secateurs or loppers.

 

When to call in the experts

For significant infestations, professional intervention is often the best course of action. Bamboo removal specialists have the equipment and expertise to:

• Identify the extent of the rhizome spread.
• Use machinery for large-scale root excavation.
• Apply targeted chemical treatments to ensure eradication.

 

Attempting to handle a severe bamboo problem without expert help can lead to wasted effort, incomplete removal, and even damage to surrounding structures or plants.

 

Preventing bamboo problems

If you’re considering planting bamboo in your garden, it’s essential to choose the right species and take preventative measures. Opt for clumping varieties (e.g. Fargesia) rather than running ones, and install a bamboo root barrier at least 60cm deep to confine the rhizomes.