Question: How do I control run away bamboo in my yard?
Answer:
Bamboo is one of the most difficult invasive plants to control once established. The wrong type bamboo can take over landscapes, stream banks, and woodlands.
There are many species of bamboo sold in the nursery trade, some are more invasive than others. Creeping types are, as a rule, very invasive once established. There are clump-type bamboos that spread at a much slower rate. For most homeowners this is the most responsible choice. You may avoid control problems down the road and your neighbors won’t be so upset. These clump-type bamboos can be removed by digging up the offending plants. Unfortunately, some of the more popular types of bamboo sold in the nursery industry are the more invasive, spreading types. These plants spread by thick, tough, underground stems (rhizomes). The rhizomes are resilient to tough environmental conditions and most herbicides.
To control such aggressive plants you must eradicate or contain the entire infestation. Treating only a part of the infestation will be doomed to failure because bamboo can re-establish rapidly. Also, bamboo control programs will require an intensive control strategy over several years.
Containment of creeping types of bamboo is possible, because the rhizomes are typically fairly shallow (less than one foot deep in the soil), but difficult because they can grow over the top of barriers. Barriers made of concrete, metal, plastic, or pressure-treated wood should be installed at least 18 inches deep. Inspect the barrier once or twice a year and remove any rhizomes that are visible.
To control, start with physically removing as much of the rhizome and root mass as possible. It will be impossible to remove all pieces; therefore, follow-up treatment with herbicides will generally be required. Few herbicides are effective on bamboo. The only treatment regime that has been proven to work are winter applications of diclobenil(Casoron or Barrier) combined with summer spot sprays with glyphosate (Roundup). Diclobenil will kill many of the rhizomes and prevent others from re-establishing through early summer. After that time new sprouts will emerge and must be controlled to prevent re-establishment. Reapply glyphosate whenever new growth is present. It will take at least two years of this regime to get good control. In that time you will not be able to plant herbaceous ornamentals, hemlocks, or many other shrubs in that area because diclobenil can kill these ornamental species. If the bamboo is growing in plant beds where these herbicides cannot be used, remember bamboo is a grass and can be suppressed with selective grass controlling herbicides. Always check chemical labels to make certain the product can be used as you intend.
A non-chemical option is to put the entire infestation into turf for several years. Bamboo does not tolerate frequent mowing. Remember, regardless of which method of control you choose, an intensive effort over multiple years will be required to completely eradicate bamboo. Therefore, spend a little extra time researching which ornamental bamboos are best for your yard.
Answer:
Bamboo is one of the most difficult invasive plants to control once established. The wrong type bamboo can take over landscapes, stream banks, and woodlands.
There are many species of bamboo sold in the nursery trade, some are more invasive than others. Creeping types are, as a rule, very invasive once established. There are clump-type bamboos that spread at a much slower rate. For most homeowners this is the most responsible choice. You may avoid control problems down the road and your neighbors won’t be so upset. These clump-type bamboos can be removed by digging up the offending plants. Unfortunately, some of the more popular types of bamboo sold in the nursery industry are the more invasive, spreading types. These plants spread by thick, tough, underground stems (rhizomes). The rhizomes are resilient to tough environmental conditions and most herbicides.
To control such aggressive plants you must eradicate or contain the entire infestation. Treating only a part of the infestation will be doomed to failure because bamboo can re-establish rapidly. Also, bamboo control programs will require an intensive control strategy over several years.
Containment of creeping types of bamboo is possible, because the rhizomes are typically fairly shallow (less than one foot deep in the soil), but difficult because they can grow over the top of barriers. Barriers made of concrete, metal, plastic, or pressure-treated wood should be installed at least 18 inches deep. Inspect the barrier once or twice a year and remove any rhizomes that are visible.
To control, start with physically removing as much of the rhizome and root mass as possible. It will be impossible to remove all pieces; therefore, follow-up treatment with herbicides will generally be required. Few herbicides are effective on bamboo. The only treatment regime that has been proven to work are winter applications of diclobenil(Casoron or Barrier) combined with summer spot sprays with glyphosate (Roundup). Diclobenil will kill many of the rhizomes and prevent others from re-establishing through early summer. After that time new sprouts will emerge and must be controlled to prevent re-establishment. Reapply glyphosate whenever new growth is present. It will take at least two years of this regime to get good control. In that time you will not be able to plant herbaceous ornamentals, hemlocks, or many other shrubs in that area because diclobenil can kill these ornamental species. If the bamboo is growing in plant beds where these herbicides cannot be used, remember bamboo is a grass and can be suppressed with selective grass controlling herbicides. Always check chemical labels to make certain the product can be used as you intend.
A non-chemical option is to put the entire infestation into turf for several years. Bamboo does not tolerate frequent mowing. Remember, regardless of which method of control you choose, an intensive effort over multiple years will be required to completely eradicate bamboo. Therefore, spend a little extra time researching which ornamental bamboos are best for your yard.
Much of the information in this blog came from an NC State article by Dr. Joseph C. Neal, Weed Scientist Department of Horticultural Science. You may also read another good publication on this subject from the University of Florida by Jason Ferrell, Mark Czarnota, and Ken Langeland (who took the picture above)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment