Removing bamboo

[Persephone]

OK, after chipping away at the task for weeks & weeks, the gardener
(and I) have removed all the bamboo. What is now left is stalk stubs,
and -- one assumes -- a whole underworld of roots.

Note that this was not "spreading" bamboo; I deliberately
chose a "clumping" bamboo. However, the protective "leaf" litter
cluttered everything, and the bamboo had to be cut back constantly.
Plant has just outlived its usefulness, though it did screen the
trash area. Will now have to find something that will do the same
job, but not become such a nuisance.

I browsed under keyword "bamboo removal" and
found many user comments at:

http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/messages/4170.html

ranging from burning to Roundup to ..utter despair.
Not clear whether they were on about clumping or spreading.

and at

http://www.bamboosourcery.com/cat_frame.cfm?id=77&row=15

in more practical terms, listing tools required and advising
against chemicals.

Have never tackled any enterprise as menacing as this.

Your wisdom solicited:

1. How deeply rooted is clumping bamboo?

2. Can mere humans dig up the roots after thoroughly
moistening the soil?

3. If not, what kind of "professional" help would be
required -- one hopes not too expen$ive.

TIA

Persephone

[David E. Ross]

On 9/8/2007 4:36 PM, Persephone wrote:
> OK, after chipping away at the task for weeks & weeks, the gardener
> (and I) have removed all the bamboo. What is now left is stalk stubs,
> and -- one assumes -- a whole underworld of roots.
>
> Note that this was not "spreading" bamboo; I deliberately
> chose a "clumping" bamboo. However, the protective "leaf" litter
> cluttered everything, and the bamboo had to be cut back constantly.
> Plant has just outlived its usefulness, though it did screen the
> trash area. Will now have to find something that will do the same
> job, but not become such a nuisance.
>
> I browsed under keyword "bamboo removal" and
> found many user comments at:
>
> http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/messages/4170.html
>
> ranging from burning to Roundup to ..utter despair.
> Not clear whether they were on about clumping or spreading.
>
> and at
>
> http://www.bamboosourcery.com/cat_frame.cfm?id=77&row=15
>
> in more practical terms, listing tools required and advising
> against chemicals.
>
> Have never tackled any enterprise as menacing as this.
>
> Your wisdom solicited:
>
> 1. How deeply rooted is clumping bamboo?
>
> 2. Can mere humans dig up the roots after thoroughly
> moistening the soil?
>
> 3. If not, what kind of "professional" help would be
> required -- one hopes not too expen$ive.
>
> TIA
>
> Persephone

Wait until new shoots appear. Then spray them with an herbicide that is
specific to grass. I use Poast, but others should be available. I mix
liquid soap into the spray as a wetting agent. You may have to treat
new shoots 3 or more times to get final control.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at <http://www.rossde.com/garden/>

[Sheldon[_1_]]

On Sep 8, 7:36?pm, Persephone wrote:
> OK, after chipping away at the task for weeks & weeks, the gardener
> (and I) have removed all the bamboo. What is now left is stalk stubs,
> and -- one assumes -- a whole underworld of roots.
>
> Note that this was not "spreading" bamboo; I deliberately
> chose a "clumping" bamboo. However, the protective "leaf" litter
> cluttered everything, and the bamboo had to be cut back constantly.
> Plant has just outlived its usefulness, though it did screen the
> trash area. Will now have to find something that will do the same
> job, but not become such a nuisance.
>
> I browsed under keyword "bamboo removal" and
> found many user comments at:
>
> http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/messages/4170.html
>
> ranging from burning to Roundup to ..utter despair.
> Not clear whether they were on about clumping or spreading.
>
> and at
>
> http://www.bamboosourcery.com/cat_frame.cfm?id=77&row=15
>
> in more practical terms, listing tools required and advising
> against chemicals.
>
> Have never tackled any enterprise as menacing as this.
>
> Your wisdom solicited:
>
> 1. How deeply rooted is clumping bamboo?
>
> 2. Can mere humans dig up the roots after thoroughly
> moistening the soil?
>
> 3. If not, what kind of "professional" help would be
> required -- one hopes not too expen$ive.

How much to pandas cost?

[Jim Kingdon]

> 1. How deeply rooted is clumping bamboo?

Don't know about clumping. Most of the rhizomes of running bamboo are
within the top 12 inches or so (maybe more like 6). You'll find them
easily enough if you start digging and follow the rhizomes.

> 2. Can mere humans dig up the roots after thoroughly
> moistening the soil?

Yes. We dug out a bed which was maybe 5 feet by 40 feet, which was
fairly densely populated with running bamboo (both above and below
ground). Takes some time, and you'll probably end up disturbing most
of the soil. If there are any plants you want to keep in the area,
you'll probably end up digging them up in the process and replanting.

We mostly used a trenching shovel which is durable enough to function
as a pry bar too (unlike, say, a spade).
http://www.rittenhouse.ca/content/images/big%5Cbullhead_trenching_shovel.JPG
http://www.gemplers.com/ctnp/longhandle/shovels/G44023.html

This was a few afternoons of hard work, but after that we just needed
to watch for shoots coming up, and dig out the little rhizome piece we
had missed in each case. (we didn't do the "break off the shoot"
technique, as the roots we missed the first time were small and it was
simple enough to dig them out).

> 3. If not, what kind of "professional" help would be
> required -- one hopes not too expen$ive.

You can see if any bamboo nurseries around you would be interested.
At least, http://www.bamboosourcery.com/catalog_sec.cfm?row=4 says "We
also occasionally remove unwanted bamboo free of charge upon request,
if we have time and have a use for it." Don't know if this is common,
and it is clear that there are various catches.

In my experience (with bamboo and other unwanted plants) the key is
spending some time at it and persistence. If you are thinking that a
one-time low-effort treatment (whether chemical, digging, mowing,
tarps, etc) will get everything, it is easy to succumb to despair.
But if you are prepared to get out most of it, and then go back every
week or a few, digging up whatever came up in the meantime, you have a
bit more of a chance.

[hollenback]

<Persephone> wrote in message
...
>
> OK, after chipping away at the task for weeks & weeks, the gardener
> (and I) have removed all the bamboo. What is now left is stalk stubs,
> and -- one assumes -- a whole underworld of roots.
>
> Note that this was not "spreading" bamboo; I deliberately
> chose a "clumping" bamboo. However, the protective "leaf" litter
> cluttered everything, and the bamboo had to be cut back constantly.
> Plant has just outlived its usefulness, though it did screen the
> trash area. Will now have to find something that will do the same
> job, but not become such a nuisance.
>

Was it a tropical clumper (Likely a Bambusa) or a mountain clumper (Likely a
Fargesia)?
If it was a mountain clumper the rhizomes should be in the top 6 inches of
soil but the roots will run deeper. The best way to remove the rhizomes if
you do not care about the plant is start at the outside of the clump with a
shovel and under cut the clump. if your shovel is sharp you can use it to
cut the clump to make it easier to remove. You could also use an axe or
reciprocating saw to cut up the clump.

Tropical clumpers have larger rhizomes and run deeper but you can remove it
the same way.

It also helps if you can use a jet of water to remove the dirt from around
the rhizomes then you can use loppers to cut the rhizomes and remove smaller
sections of the clump.

Bill

[Nanzi]

On Sep 8, 7:36 pm, Persephone wrote:
> OK, after chipping away at the task for weeks & weeks, the gardener
> (and I) have removed all the bamboo. What is now left is stalk stubs,
> and -- one assumes -- a whole underworld of roots.
>
> Note that this was not "spreading" bamboo; I deliberately
> chose a "clumping" bamboo. However, the protective "leaf" litter
> cluttered everything, and the bamboo had to be cut back constantly.
> Plant has just outlived its usefulness, though it did screen the
> trash area. Will now have to find something that will do the same
> job, but not become such a nuisance.
>
> I browsed under keyword "bamboo removal" and
> found many user comments at:
>
> http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/messages/4170.html
>
> ranging from burning to Roundup to ..utter despair.
> Not clear whether they were on about clumping or spreading.
>
> and at
>
> http://www.bamboosourcery.com/cat_frame.cfm?id=77&row=15
>
> in more practical terms, listing tools required and advising
> against chemicals.
>
> Have never tackled any enterprise as menacing as this.
>
> Your wisdom solicited:
>
> 1. How deeply rooted is clumping bamboo?
>
> 2. Can mere humans dig up the roots after thoroughly
> moistening the soil?
>
> 3. If not, what kind of "professional" help would be
> required -- one hopes not too expen$ive.
>
> TIA
>
> Persephone

This is killing me. I bought 2 bamboo's and one of 'em died. I want
'em and y'all are killing them!! Isnt Life Grand???
Nan

[William Wagner[_2_]]

In article om>,
Nanzi > wrote:

> On Sep 8, 7:36 pm, Persephone wrote:
> > OK, after chipping away at the task for weeks & weeks, the gardener
> > (and I) have removed all the bamboo. What is now left is stalk stubs,
> > and -- one assumes -- a whole underworld of roots.
> >
> > Note that this was not "spreading" bamboo; I deliberately
> > chose a "clumping" bamboo. However, the protective "leaf" litter
> > cluttered everything, and the bamboo had to be cut back constantly.
> > Plant has just outlived its usefulness, though it did screen the
> > trash area. Will now have to find something that will do the same
> > job, but not become such a nuisance.
> >
> > I browsed under keyword "bamboo removal" and
> > found many user comments at:
> >
> > http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/messages/4170.html
> >
> > ranging from burning to Roundup to ..utter despair.
> > Not clear whether they were on about clumping or spreading.
> >
> > and at
> >
> > http://www.bamboosourcery.com/cat_frame.cfm?id=77&row=15
> >
> > in more practical terms, listing tools required and advising
> > against chemicals.
> >
> > Have never tackled any enterprise as menacing as this.
> >
> > Your wisdom solicited:
> >
> > 1. How deeply rooted is clumping bamboo?
> >
> > 2. Can mere humans dig up the roots after thoroughly
> > moistening the soil?
> >
> > 3. If not, what kind of "professional" help would be
> > required -- one hopes not too expen$ive.
> >
> > TIA
> >
> > Persephone
>
> This is killing me. I bought 2 bamboo's and one of 'em died. I want
> 'em and y'all are killing them!! Isnt Life Grand???
> Nan

Do you live near S Jersey USA?

Bill

--

S Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade

This article is posted under fair use rules in accordance with
Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and is strictly for the educational
and informative purposes. This material is distributed without profit.

http://www.ocutech.com/ High tech Vison aid

[sf]

On Sat, 08 Sep 2007 17:47:42 -0700, "David E. Ross"
> wrote:

>Wait until new shoots appear. Then spray them with an herbicide that is
>specific to grass. I use Poast, but others should be available. I mix
>liquid soap into the spray as a wetting agent. You may have to treat
>new shoots 3 or more times to get final control.

Watching HGTV yesterday..... apparently vinegar is an herbicide! Live
and learn. http://tinyurl.com/2l589y
Narrative:
http://moscowfood.coop/archive/VinegarKillsWeeds.html

--

History is a vast early warning system
Norman Cousins

[Nanzi]

On Sep 9, 12:48 pm, William Wagner > wrote:
> In article om>,
>
>
>
> Nanzi > wrote:
> > On Sep 8, 7:36 pm, Persephone wrote:
> > > OK, after chipping away at the task for weeks & weeks, the gardener
> > > (and I) have removed all the bamboo. What is now left is stalk stubs,
> > > and -- one assumes -- a whole underworld of roots.
>
> > > Note that this was not "spreading" bamboo; I deliberately
> > > chose a "clumping" bamboo. However, the protective "leaf" litter
> > > cluttered everything, and the bamboo had to be cut back constantly.
> > > Plant has just outlived its usefulness, though it did screen the
> > > trash area. Will now have to find something that will do the same
> > > job, but not become such a nuisance.
>
> > > I browsed under keyword "bamboo removal" and
> > > found many user comments at:
>
> > >http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/messages/4170.html
>
> > > ranging from burning to Roundup to ..utter despair.
> > > Not clear whether they were on about clumping or spreading.
>
> > > and at
>
> > >http://www.bamboosourcery.com/cat_frame.cfm?id=77&row=15
>
> > > in more practical terms, listing tools required and advising
> > > against chemicals.
>
> > > Have never tackled any enterprise as menacing as this.
>
> > > Your wisdom solicited:
>
> > > 1. How deeply rooted is clumping bamboo?
>
> > > 2. Can mere humans dig up the roots after thoroughly
> > > moistening the soil?
>
> > > 3. If not, what kind of "professional" help would be
> > > required -- one hopes not too expen$ive.
>
> > > TIA
>
> > > Persephone
>
> > This is killing me. I bought 2 bamboo's and one of 'em died. I want
> > 'em and y'all are killing them!! Isnt Life Grand???
> > Nan
>
> Do you live near S Jersey USA?
>
> Bill
>
> --
>
> S Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade
>
> This article is posted under fair use rules in accordance with
> Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and is strictly for the educational
> and informative purposes. This material is distributed without profit.
>
> http://www.ocutech.com/ High tech Vison aid

Just across the crik in Delaware, 4 miles from the MD border.
I used to live in Woodstown!!
Nan

[William Wagner[_2_]]

In article . com>,
Nanzi > wrote:

> On Sep 9, 12:48 pm, William Wagner > wrote:
> > In article om>,
> >
> >
> >
> > Nanzi > wrote:
> > > On Sep 8, 7:36 pm, Persephone wrote:
> > > > OK, after chipping away at the task for weeks & weeks, the gardener
> > > > (and I) have removed all the bamboo. What is now left is stalk stubs,
> > > > and -- one assumes -- a whole underworld of roots.
> >
> > > > Note that this was not "spreading" bamboo; I deliberately
> > > > chose a "clumping" bamboo. However, the protective "leaf" litter
> > > > cluttered everything, and the bamboo had to be cut back constantly.
> > > > Plant has just outlived its usefulness, though it did screen the
> > > > trash area. Will now have to find something that will do the same
> > > > job, but not become such a nuisance.
> >
> > > > I browsed under keyword "bamboo removal" and
> > > > found many user comments at:
> >
> > > >http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/messages/4170.html
> >
> > > > ranging from burning to Roundup to ..utter despair.
> > > > Not clear whether they were on about clumping or spreading.
> >
> > > > and at
> >
> > > >http://www.bamboosourcery.com/cat_frame.cfm?id=77&row=15
> >
> > > > in more practical terms, listing tools required and advising
> > > > against chemicals.
> >
> > > > Have never tackled any enterprise as menacing as this.
> >
> > > > Your wisdom solicited:
> >
> > > > 1. How deeply rooted is clumping bamboo?
> >
> > > > 2. Can mere humans dig up the roots after thoroughly
> > > > moistening the soil?
> >
> > > > 3. If not, what kind of "professional" help would be
> > > > required -- one hopes not too expen$ive.
> >
> > > > TIA
> >
> > > > Persephone
> >
> > > This is killing me. I bought 2 bamboo's and one of 'em died. I want
> > > 'em and y'all are killing them!! Isnt Life Grand???
> > > Nan
> >
> > Do you live near S Jersey USA?
> >
> > Bill
> >
> > --
> >
> > S Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade
> >
> > This article is posted under fair use rules in accordance with
> > Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and is strictly for the educational
> > and informative purposes. This material is distributed without profit.
> >
> > http://www.ocutech.com/ High tech Vison aid
>
> Just across the crik in Delaware, 4 miles from the MD border.
> I used to live in Woodstown!!
> Nan

I live in Franklinville. My goggle mail works.

EM me and I'll give you my phone #. Up this way after a good rain and
you will have Bamboo.

Bill

--

S Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade

This article is posted under fair use rules in accordance with
Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and is strictly for the educational
and informative purposes. This material is distributed without profit.

http://www.ocutech.com/ High tech Vison aid