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How
To Control A Bamboo
CLUMPING BAMBOO Clumping bamboo spread slowly in
an ever growing circle. If a long line of bamboo is planted in a row it
appears to be just right when viewed from a distance. Up close some branches
or culms may be in your mower path or walkway. Using a hand pruner or lopper
cut the offending portion away. This may only be needed a few times a year
if at all. Some people with time on their hands prune their bamboo to appear
like a flat top privet hedge. A machine hedge trimmer is usually large
enough for this task. Underground barrier systems are not needed for a
clumping bamboo.
A few people may tell you that all bamboo will take over your property and
can't be controlled. Be sure not to take investment advice from such people.
RUNNING BAMBOO Running bamboo require a long term plan for
controlling the spread into unwanted areas. Be thoughtful of neighbors. A
stockade fence will not stop a running bamboo. The spreading structure is
called a rhizome. It travels unseen underground in all directions possible.
During Spring new culms are likely to emerge along the rhizome. This is
beneficial when a denser screen is desired. A ten foot wide barrier becomes
an opaque screen plus creatures will need to go around it. Noise and dust
are greatly reduced by a thick screen of bamboo. Cattle operations have
planted long lines of running bamboo to serve as an edible rustler barrier.
It will not be eaten until a lead cow shows the others it is just another
type of grass. If the bamboo spreads too far in that application a bush hog
easily levels the growth to more suitable proportions.
Natural barriers include roads, streams, railroad tracks, lakes and dense
rocky areas. Often if a bamboo spreads into an existing woods the lack of
sunlight and competition for nutrients slows or stops it. There are
differences in how rapidly different bamboos spread. Ask a bamboo grower
about that. Rhizome barriers can be purchased in various widths such as
36,30 and 24 inches. They are not cheap. The American Bamboo Society website
has vendors selling rhizome barriers. When installing the barrier have the
barrier slant slightly away from the stand of bamboo thus causing any
rhizome to go upward versus down and under. A rhizome that jumps over the
barrier on top will be obvious and can be easily pruned away. Most rhizomes
situate themselves less than a foot underground but not always. A big fast
spreading runner needs a 36 inch barrier. Often roots and other obstacles
make trenching for a barrier difficult. Mowing can slow or even stop the
spread since the emerging growth and foliage is constantly removed. No
photosynthesis thus reduced growth. Eventually that rhizome will die back. It
will be replaced by others. Mowing needs to be continued. Allow at least
twenty feet away from the stand of bamboo to serve as the mowing barrier
area. Do not count on this being 100 % effective. |
