How to Get Rid of Bamboo: 4 Methods for Removing Bamboo

Bamboo is an evergreen perennial grass with long, hollow stems and smooth, large leaves that come to a point. The stems are a sturdy, natural material that builders use as a renewable source of wood to construct buildings and replace hardwoods like cedar and mahogany. Bamboo also serves as a food source, as it produces edible seeds, known as bamboo rice, that have an aromatic flavor and sticky texture.

While bamboo benefits its natural environment, it is a pervasive, invasive plant, making it difficult to remove. There are more than 1,500 species of bamboo, which fall under two classifications: runners and clumpers. Running bamboo is more challenging to remove than clumping bamboo because the rhizomes grow outward, allowing additional shoots to sprout and grow. (A rhizome is a type of plant stem that grows horizontally underground or across the soil surface.)

Bamboo control can be overwhelming as new shoots start to develop and spread throughout your lawn. Removing bamboo shoots before new growth starts to overtake your yard can save you time and energy. Consider the main reasons for bamboo removal:

1. 1. It grows rapidly: Bamboo spreads and grows fast, with some species growing at a rate of one meter per day. Therefore, bamboo can overtake your garden and even your neighbors’ yards as it grows.
2. 2. It is an invasive species: While some varieties of bamboo naturally grow in the United States, many states consider certain varieties, such as golden bamboo, invasive species. As bamboo grows in unwanted regions, it hinders the growth of surrounding plants. It threatens biodiversity, which refers to the variety of species and living organisms that inhabit Earth and their roles in affecting the environment.
   
3. 3. It’s hard to remove after it spreads: The process of removing bamboo once it has spread can be challenging and time-consuming. It can take years to remove all the underground rhizomes completely, so early bamboo removal is important for preventing overgrowth.

The key to killing bamboo is consistency; regardless of the removal method you choose, you need to routinely treat your bamboo for full eradication. Here are some methods to try:

1. 1. Pesticides: Bamboo is a hardy and durable plant, so using herbicides doesn’t fully kill regrowth but can prevent new growth. Grass herbicides, also known as glyphosate herbicides, are the most effective pesticides for killing bamboo. When applying herbicides to your bamboo shoots, spray new shoots as early as possible. The earlier you apply the herbicide, the more effective it will be.
2. 2. Manual removal: The first step in manual removal is to remove all above-ground bamboo growth using a hand saw. Chop down the bamboo poles as close to the ground as possible. Dry out the bamboo poles in the sun and save them for different projects, such as building a storage unit, a fishing pole, or a fence. After clearing the bamboo poles, dig out the rhizomes, working your way from the outer portion of the root system to the inner section. The outer areas of the roots are less intertwined and strong, making removal easier. If you’re having trouble removing the roots, loosen the soil with a spade or shovel. Bamboo rhizomes mainly grow horizontally, but the root system can grow as deep as three feet.
3. 3. Mowing: Regularly mowing new growth hinders unwanted bamboo and can eliminate the plant over time. This method only works for shorter, younger bamboo shoots, as you cannot use a lawnmower to mow down fully grown, tall shoots. For tall shoots, cut them as low to the ground with a garden lopper or chainsaw before mowing them. Repeatedly mow any new shoots and continue to pull up the bamboo roots with a shovel. As new leaves grow, apply a herbicide to the area to stop further sprouting.
4. 4. Boiling water: For a DIY, organic method, pour boiling water on your bamboo plants to stop their growth. Using a shovel or garden spade, dig around your bamboo plants to expose the root system. Pour the hot water over the roots and continue to do so as new growth develops.

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