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Bamboo is one of the hardiest plants on the planet. It can be used as an accent, grown for building materials, or planted as a privacy fence. However, bamboo spreads rapidly and often in unpredictable patterns, making it easy for a small patch to quickly overtake your yard. If you have too much of this plant on your property, here’s what you should know about bamboo remediation.

Why Is Bamboo Hard to Get Rid of?

Bamboo grows both tall and wide at a rapid pace. In fact, it’s not uncommon for invasive bamboo to grow up to three to five feet per year.

The reason this plant grows so well is because of its root system. Bamboo’s roots, also called rhizomes, spread deep and wide underground, allowing the plant to come back even after you remove it on the surface level. To permanently get rid of this plant, you must remove the rhizomes.

What Happens During Bamboo Remediation?

bamboo remediation

Although you can try to DIY this job, it usually requires professional intervention to produce lasting results. To temporarily stunt the growth of bamboo, you can remove its food sources by cutting the bamboo at ground level and mowing over the area at least once weekly. You can also cut down the stalks to ground level and cover the area with a tarp. This will not stop the bamboo from spreading or growing back

For permanent removal, hire a professional. A professional will cut the bamboo to ground level and then use heavy equipment to dig up and permanently remove the rhizomes. A rhizome barrier is installed in the ground to prevent the bamboo from returning.

Finally, if you want to keep some of your bamboo while reducing its ability to spread, you can dig a trench. Create a trench that's approximately 30 inches deep around the bamboo you'd like to keep, and then fill it with concrete to prevent the rhizomes from spreading.

If you need help with your bamboo remediation, contact the team at Columbia Tree & Lawn Service in Maryland. This family-owned and -operated business has been serving Howard County and the surrounding areas, including Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Carroll, and Montgomery counties, for more than 40 years. They can remove the bamboo you don’t want without damaging any surrounding plants or trees. Visit their website to learn more, or call (410) 740-5444 for a free estimate.

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