Invasive Bamboo Removal
Bamboo is a fast growing plant that can quickly spread beyond its intended planting area causing encroachment problems with neighbours, and damage to structures in its pathway. Say goodbye to unwanted Bamboo.
how to get rid of Bamboo permanently
We often get asked ‘is bamboo hard to remove?‘ Bamboo is a voracious growing plant and its ‘running’ variety can quickly spread far beyond the intended planting area. Its underground root system takes specialist equipment to dig up, and DIY bamboo removal is not usually successful as every fragment of rhizome needs to be removed, and this requires an expert’s touch.
As experienced experts in Bamboo control and removal, we offer three options:
- Herbicide treatment
- Excavation*
- Containment
*Our Bamboo Excavation Programme has been designed to be effective whilst reducing the volume of soils removed.
Avoid neighbour disputes
While not officially classed as an invasive weed, the number of encroachment cases across the UK is increasing as neighbours take legal action when bamboo spreads onto their property. Bamboo roots can spread 30 feet from the original plant, growing under, over and through boundary structures. We can help you avoid risk of neighbourly disputes by getting Bamboo under control or completely taken away from your property.
How much does it cost to remove bamboo?
Bamboo causes significant damage to property and needs to be controlled or removed early before it becomes a bigger and costlier problem.
Getting the help you need starts with a survey. Book your survey today and our highly qualified and experienced surveyors will be able to provide you with a comprehensive report of the extent of the infestation and offer clear no-obligation advice on the best options available to resolve the issue.
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Bamboo Taking Over? Do this before it gets worse!
Bamboo’s rapid underground spread can cause serious problems, often leading to disputes between neighbours. Running bamboo, in particular, spreads aggressively via rhizomes, extending metres beyond the original planting site—sometimes even beneath fences and patios.
If bamboo has encroached onto your property, cutting it back won’t stop the spread. The rhizome network beneath the soil remains active, allowing shoots to resurface elsewhere. The only effective solution is professional removal, ensuring the entire root system is excavated to prevent regrowth.
To stop future encroachment, we recommend:
✅ Booking a professional survey – A specialist assessment determines how far the bamboo has spread and the best removal strategy.
✅ Discussing containment or removal options with us – We provide tailored solutions to fully remove or control bamboo growth before it causes further issues.
✅ Neighbour discussions – If the bamboo originates from next door, it’s worth addressing long-term solutions like containment or removal together.
Worried about bamboo spreading? Our experts provide full bamboo removal and prevention services to protect your property. Get in touch today to stop bamboo before it becomes a bigger issue.
PROJECT EXAMPLE: BAMBOO REMOVAL FROM NEIGHBOURING PROPERTIES
On this contract we were asked to get rid of invasive Bamboo from two next-door residential properties at the same time.
When Bamboo was found on one of the properties, further investigation discovered new growth on the neighbouring property. It was essential to get rid of all Bamboo from both sides of the fence to avoid either property from having the same problem a few months later.
All culms were excavated and the rhizomes chased out, placed in a skip and removed to landfill. The clean area was backfilled with fresh imported topsoil to leave both gardens tidy. It’s important to get rid of all Bamboo even if it’s spread onto a neighbours – otherwise you run the risk of it returning.
Why choose us
- Residential & commercial bamboo removal
- Fully qualified and certified
- Extensive in-house expertise
- National coverage
Eliminate unwanted bamboo
What damage does bamboo cause?
Bamboo causes significant damage to ground level structures such as patios, decking, pathways and floors within buildings, but also underground infrastructure such as pipes and drains.
Bamboo has not boundaries, it can also take over lawns and open green spaces if left to run wild blocking out natural light that harms the habitat.
It causes damage by breaking through any weak areas, gaps or cracks of structures, forcing its way above ground where it will quickly establish itself, whilst its underground root system searches for further areas of penetration. Each time it emerges above ground it will create a new plant, which can cause further damage.
Bamboo Removal Services UK
Environment Controls can control Running bamboo growth in a number of ways, but the two primary options are:
HERBICIDE TREATMENT: We have a range of treatment options and techniques that are designed to control and kill the Bamboo growth. The method of application varies depending on the species and level of growth, but we can conduct a survey and advise you on the best course of action and provide you with a treatment plan.
EXCAVATION: This option provides permanent eradication of all Bamboo. We do this by carefully excavating all above ground and below ground parts of the plant. Bamboo doesn’t tend to grow very deeply into the ground, but it can spread out quite far. With a survey, we will be able to precisely determine the spread and ensure tidy and targeted removal.
Bamboo Containment
In addition to the treatment and removal of Bamboo, there are also options to put containment measures in place to prevent Bamboo from spreading beyond its intended planting area.
ROOT BARRIER: This underground barrier stops the roots from spreading beyond their intended area. The barriers can be made out of a range of materials including concrete. However if the barriers aren’t fit for purpose, the correct thickness or the correct depth, then they can be ineffective. Environment Controls can provide professional advice and installation to ensure that your Bamboo is contained and can grow happily in its intended space.
THINNING AND CUTTING: Another method to keep Bamboo contained is to thin out and cut the growth. when Bamboo clumps reach their maximum growing height during the growing season, they rarely increase in size, but will produce another crop of clumps for the following season (and so on). Thinning Bamboo by cutting back older clumps will restrict how far it will spread.
What is ‘Invasive’ Bamboo?
In the UK Bamboo is particularly popular in urban areas due to its screening qualities, creating privacy in overlooked gardens. However, it can also be highly invasive and spread out of controlled, far beyond its intended area if allowed.
There are two main types of Bamboo: Running and Clumping. When it comes to invasive Bamboo, the worst offenders are the ‘running’ types which have large networks of roots and rhizomes. Rhizomes are underground plant stems (roots) that grow horizontally and allow more Bamboo to grow. These rhizomes are capable of spreading as far as 30 feet and if left unchecked and untreated can invade neighbouring gardens – and even pose a risk to the structural foundation of houses and buildings.
While Bamboo is not listed under Schedule 9, Part II of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and is not officially classed as an invasive species, encroachment cases are becoming more common and more homeowners are taking legal action against neighbours who have allowed it to spread.
Eliminate unwanted bamboo
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