Fast growing Bamboo

Arborist Forum

Help Support Arborist Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Basso

Basso

ArboristSite Operative
Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
114
Location
Maryland
Hello,
I need some advice on Bamboo. I would like to plant some as a screen between my house and a neighbor. It would be right along the edge of the woods and would get some direct and indirect light. What is the story on Bamboo...kinds, where to buy, things I need to know etc. Thanks

Basso
 
Adkpk

Adkpk

Addicted to ArboristSite
Joined
May 16, 2006
Messages
3,189
Location
NYC or Catskill Mountains, NY
They spread with leaders below the ground. I've heard they have none spreading varieties but have never seen them myself. Or plant in a plastic 55gal drum cut in half so the leader won't escape. Or enjoy growing all over the yard.
 
rb_in_va

rb_in_va

Addicted to ArboristSite
Joined
Mar 5, 2004
Messages
6,108
Location
VA
There are 2 basic types of bamboo. Clumping and running. I have heard that the clumping variety is the less invasive, and some people just use a shovel once a year to chop off the new stalks that come up. I have considered using some bamboo as a screen where my neighbor took down several mature tree. There's tons of info out there on bamboo. Here is just one site I found.

http://www.littleacrefarm.com/bamboo.htm
 
LightningLoader

LightningLoader

ArboristSite Operative
Joined
Jan 24, 2005
Messages
343
Location
Babson Park
growing more bamboo

I think I have a clumping type bamboo. I read this whole thing on the net about how to make cuttings to grow and it completely failed. Although the soil was moist the cuttings died within like a week. Anyone know how to propagate bamboo?
 
computeruser

computeruser

Addicted to ArboristSite
. AS Supporting Member.
Joined
Jan 1, 2005
Messages
7,234
Location
East Lansing, MI
Do a lot of research before planting!

I did some reading on bamboo options to screen off the view of an industrial area adjacent to a cemetery property I tend. We never saw the neighbors before we cut down all our Ailanthus (which we still fight with...). I thought bamboo would be a fun way to screen off the neighbors, but it looks like it might give Ailanthus a run for its money in terms of taking over the property. So the area remains unscreened until some hardwood trees and shrubs/flowers can be planted this coming year.

There are options to control the spread, including rhizome barriers, but they generally require digging 3' down and installing the barrier all around the bamboo area. Even then you have to be mindful of escapees that make it over the barrier (which should project above the ground) and are then free to conquer the world.

Lovely stuff and it works great...if you plan properly!
 
STLfirewood

STLfirewood

Addicted to ArboristSite
Joined
Jun 10, 2007
Messages
2,186
Location
St. louis MO
A good friend of mine is fighting it from his neighbor right now. When the neighbor was planting it he told him to make sure it had a 3ft deep border around it. The guy didn't do it. No my friend can't get it out of his yard. The first sprout came up 20 feet into his yard. The only way to get rid of it is to dig up the whole root system. It's cool looking stuff but man it takes over and fast.

Scott
 
computeruser

computeruser

Addicted to ArboristSite
. AS Supporting Member.
Joined
Jan 1, 2005
Messages
7,234
Location
East Lansing, MI
A good friend of mine is fighting it from his neighbor right now. When the neighbor was planting it he told him to make sure it had a 3ft deep border around it. The guy didn't do it. No my friend can't get it out of his yard. The first sprout came up 20 feet into his yard. The only way to get rid of it is to dig up the whole root system. It's cool looking stuff but man it takes over and fast.

Scott


I wonder - does Garlon work on bamboo?
 

Latest posts

Top