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