How to remove clumping bamboo
How to Effectively Remove Established Clumping Bamboo Plants
Bamboo can bring beauty and a tropical feel to your garden, but when it comes to clumping bamboo, the plant’s growth habits may eventually become overwhelming. While clumping bamboo is less aggressive than its running counterpart, it can still take over a space if left unchecked. Unlike running bamboo, which spreads via rhizomes, clumping bamboo grows in tight, dense clusters. Though it expands slowly, over time, it can outgrow its intended area, crowding out other plants.
If you’ve decided to remove your clumping bamboo, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you effectively and permanently manage its removal.
Step 1: Understand Your Bamboo
Clumping bamboo tends to stay within a specific area and spreads outward in tight clumps. While it doesn’t send out long, invasive rhizomes like running bamboo, clumping bamboo can still take over its immediate surroundings if the clumps aren’t managed or thinned regularly.
Step 2: Prepare for Removal
Before you begin the removal process, gather the necessary tools to tackle your bamboo removal:
Shovel or spade
Pruning shears or a saw
Gloves
Tarp or wheelbarrow for disposing of bamboo
Step 3: Cut the Bamboo Down
The first step in removing clumping bamboo is to cut the bamboo stalks down. Start by trimming the bamboo down to ground level using pruning shears or a saw. Cutting the bamboo back makes it easier to access the roots and helps you work efficiently when removing the plant. Clumping bamboo doesn’t have the sprawling network of rhizomes that running bamboo does, but it still has a substantial root system you need to address to prevent regrowth.
Step 4: Dig Up the Clumps
Clumping bamboo grows in tight clusters, so the next task is to dig up the bamboo’s root ball and clumps. Unlike running bamboo, where rhizomes spread far and wide, the root system of clumping bamboo is more localized, typically staying within the clump’s immediate area.
Use a shovel or spade to dig around the base of the bamboo, loosening the soil and exposing the root system. Clumping bamboo can lift out once the surrounding soil is loosened, and you’ll likely be able to pull up the entire clump by hand or with the help of a shovel or a saw to cut it into smaller manageable pieces.
Be sure to remove all of the clump's roots, as even small portions left in the soil can potentially regrow.
Step 5: Maintain the Area
Even after you’ve removed the bamboo clumps, it’s important to continue monitoring the area. Clumping bamboo may still send out new shoots from remaining roots or any missed rhizomes, so it's essential to regularly check for new growth. If any new shoots emerge, simply dig them up as soon as possible to prevent them from becoming established.
Additional Tips
Herbicide: If digging up the bamboo proves difficult or time-consuming, you may choose to apply an herbicide. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label carefully.
Seek Professional Help: If your bamboo is too extensive or too difficult to manage on your own, you may like to contact us.
Conclusion
Removing established clumping bamboo requires patience and effort. By carefully removing the bamboo clumps and their roots, and monitoring the area for new growth, you can reclaim valuable space for other plants to thrive.
