Bamboo in Cardiff

Find out everything you need to know about this fast-growing and often invasive plant

Bamboo is a vigorous, fast-growing plant that can be hard to control and contain, yet it has steadily grown in popularity among UK homeowners over the past decade. The best way to deal with Bamboo in Cardiff is to contact a specialist like South Wales Knotweed & Garden Services who will give you advice on how to handle it.

Contact us on 01269 591651 or 07531 142316 and we can answer any questions you have on the expert services we offer.

As a fast-growing plant, bamboo can provide privacy in overlooked gardens in cities, towns, and suburbs, and many homeowners plant it without realizing its fast growth and ability to spread. Some types of bamboo are highly invasive and very difficult to control, so you should always seek expert advice before planting them or taking over properties where bamboo is present.

We are seeing more and more instances of the UK Invasive Weed Control Industry removing and controlling bamboo on properties where it has been planted for an unknown period of time, or where it has spread from a neighbouring property.

Several industry sources have stated that invasive bamboo is becoming a major problem for British homeowners who may not be aware of how fast it grows or how invading it can be. The ‘Running’ bamboo variety can grow up to 30 feet underground, as well as extensively above ground.

In the UK, RICS and some mortgage lenders are hesitant to lend on properties where Japanese Knotweed is present or was present, and many homeowners are still unaware that bamboo can grow out of control if not managed properly.

However, bamboo seeds remain readily available online and in garden centres throughout the UK, which adds to the problem of homeowners being unsure of the consequences of planting them. Due to this, it often grows out of control, destroying other plants and vegetation in a garden and even spreading to other homes.

As a result of homeowners planting bamboo in their gardens and inadvertently allowing it to grow out of control, the number of customers contacting Green Leaf Remediation and Garden Services has risen dramatically. We will assess the growth and advise you on the best control and removal methods for your garden to prevent it from taking over. Call us today on 01269 591651 or 07531 142316 for a free, no-obligation site survey.

Bamboo Frequently Asked Questions

Is bamboo illegal in the United Kingdom?

As far as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is concerned, bamboo is not an invasive plant. Nevertheless, bamboo can spread, grow rapidly, and infest huge areas of ground just like Japanese Knotweed, according to the weed control industry.

It has become more common for homeowners to bring claims against their neighbours who have allowed their bamboo to spread onto their properties. There are many types of bamboo plants, and some are more invasive and destructive than others.

Is there more than one type of bamboo?

It is extremely difficult to control and eliminate Japanese Knotweed without the assistance of specialists such as South Wales Japanese Knotweed because of their large underground roots and rhizomes.

Running bamboo is bamboo that spreads rapidly over and underground. A lateral rhizome (root system) can sometimes extend as far as 30ft from the main plant. As a result, the plant rapidly spreads to new areas and onto other properties, causing disruption in urban areas, cities, towns and villages. Having similar abilities to push through broken or cracked brickwork, drains, walls, and patios, running bamboo can be more destructive than Japanese knotweed due to its ability to spread so far. Although clumping bamboo is less invasive than running bamboo, it can spread rapidly if left uncontrolled. To prevent the bamboo from spreading, always consult with a specialist when planting and plant it in containers or with root barriers.

What is the difference between clump-forming bamboos and running bamboos?

Clump Forming Bamboos – These bamboos grow roots similar to those of ornamental grasses, spreading from the centre and never growing further than 5-10cm from the original plant.

Running Bamboos – Bamboo running spreads by means of horizontal underground stems that produce canes above ground. From this underground stem, a new cane emerges 60-80 cm away from the original planting site, allowing it to spread rapidly. The bamboo roots should be enclosed by a root barrier system or placed in a suitable pot to prevent them from spreading aggressively and colonizing your soil.

How fast is bamboo growing in Cardiff?

The ground conditions, soil, air, water, and general environment of the area determine bamboo’s growth rate. It is an unpredictable plant, so seek advice from a specialist before planting it or purchasing a property with bamboo in it. Growing rapidly and spreading aggressively, running bamboo reaches its mature height very quickly.

There are some bamboos that grow up to 8 metres whilst others may only grow to a metre, making it really tricky to predict what it’s going to do when planting, or if you already have them on your property. You should always contain their roots in a sturdy pot or use a root barrier system in order to prevent them from spreading as new canes can grow 90 cm to 1.5 metres every year until it reaches maximum maturity.

Due to their small culms, clump-forming bamboos rarely grow higher than 5 metres, but can also grow wide over time if not controlled effectively. Until they reach their maximum height, clump-forming bamboo canes can grow 30 to 45 cm taller every year.

Bamboo shoots are called bamboo culms. The majority of species have hollow culms, but some have solid culms. There is a solid joint at the beginning and the end of each culm segment called a node. In between the nodes are segments called internodes.

Is Bamboo known to be growing and invasive in Cardiff?

If not handled by a professional like South Wales Knotweed & Garden Services, bamboo spreads via its roots and can become invasive wherever you are in the UK. Because bamboo is extremely hardy, it can grow in most soil types and in extreme weather conditions. When planted correctly, bamboo can be controlled despite its increasing bad reputation for irresponsible planting.

The bamboo root system pushes horizontally through the soil, forming canes that then grow upwards. The speed at which bamboo spreads is often surprising to homeowners since it covers the ground more quickly than bamboo that forms clumps.

What are the best soil types for bamboo growth?

Bamboo is extremely hardy and grows in a variety of soil types. Properly controlled and planted, it can be beneficial.

Does bamboo grow as a tree, grass, or wood?

Despite bamboo’s grassy appearance, some invasive bamboo types look like trees, so they are often called bamboo trees. Its stems can reach 8 metres in height in just a few years, and it has a diameter of 1 mm to 30 cm.

Are bamboo plants able to grow in pots?

Depending on the type of bamboo, bamboo can be grown in containers or pots. It is better to grow them in a pot or container, as they will not spread and settle on your property.

Does Bamboo devalue a property?

It is a highly invasive and unpredictable plant, and bamboo in Cardiff is becoming increasingly known in the UK invasive weed and property industry. In addition to asking if bamboo is present at a property, some mortgage companies may not lend on bamboo, so be careful when applying for a mortgage.

Is bamboo poisonous to humans?

When eaten, bamboo produces cyanide-producing toxins. Before they can be consumed, they must be cut away from their exteriors and boiled. In summary, we would advise that bamboo should not be consumed by humans or animals.

How strong is bamboo compared to wood?

According to the Janka Hardness Test, bamboo is 2-3 times harder than most hardwoods. The Janka hardness test measures the resistance of wood to denting and wear (named after the Austrian-born emigrant Gabriel Janka, 1864-1932).

In winter, what colour is Bamboo?

Despite the fact that bamboos are evergreen, they remain green and vibrant during the winter months when most other plants wither, making them extremely appealing to homeowners who are unaware of their invasive nature. In the course of the year, they may shed a few leaves, but the amount isn’t large.

Bamboo Comments from the Property Care Association

Bamboos are “woody” grasses that have commercial significance in their native habitat, according to Dr Peter Fitzsimons of the Property Care Association. In the UK, however, the plant resembles an “alien invasive species”. Fast-spreading, dominating native vegetation, and resistance to natural predators such as insects and fungi are some of its characteristics.

He has stated: “We have been calling for some time for the many species of bamboo to be added to Schedule 9 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act to enable effective regulation.”

About The Property Care Association

Property Care Association (PCA) is the UK’s leading trade association representing building and property specialists.

What does the PCA say about their specialists:

1. Providing homeowners and businesses with peace of mind through detailed investigations and accurate diagnoses
2. Inspectors and surveyors are trained, vetted, and qualified
3. Contractor members are skilled, experienced site operatives who complete highly specialised repairs and treatments efficiently, effectively, and safely
4. PCA members must meet robust membership criteria. In addition to professional qualifications, technical competence, and service delivery, financial stability is also considered

Bamboo Management & Control Services in Cardiff, South Wales

In addition to being environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing, bamboo is a great plant for privacy as well. However, we recommend using extreme caution when planting Bamboo in Cardiff due to its invasive root system. It spreads underground and grows quickly above ground, taking over other plants and vegetation in a garden.

Planting bamboo in your garden is similar to planting Japanese knotweed, although it hasn’t become illegal yet. Bamboo plants and seeds are widely sold across the UK but have the same invasive characteristics as Knotweed and will quickly take over an area if they are not managed properly. Knotweed is known to homeowners as an invasive weed, but Bamboo seeds and plants are still widely sold across the UK.

Our team at South Wales Knotweed and Garden Services has seen how invasive Bamboo in Cardiff can be. We have helped many customers who were initially unaware of bamboo’s destructive and unpredictable nature when they planted it or when they brought their property.

To provide privacy to a property, Cardiff residents often plant bamboo along boundaries or around structures. The spread of bamboo on neighbour’s land has caused many awkward and avoidable disputes over the last few years. While bamboo is not yet listed as an invasive weed like Japanese Knotweed, we believe greater awareness and concern are needed for this plant. There are over 100 species of bamboo, of which more than 30 are commonly found in the UK.

The general guide to the different bamboo rhizome (roots) is:

1. Runners will ‘run’, and spread outward and quickly
2. Clumpers will grow if not controlled, however, they won’t normally colonise the soil around it as the running species do

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants around and will quickly colonize new soil, consuming open spaces and causing serious damage to many solid structures. It can be difficult to remove if you are not an expert due to the rhizomes’ lack of brittleness. Removing bamboo is similar to attempting to remove a rope from a solid slab of concrete once a bamboo rhizome has established itself in the soil or amongst a solid structure.

We offer different bamboo removal and control solutions at South Wales Knotweed & Garden Services. Depending on your property and site, our experts will determine the best removal and control methods for each infestation.

Most often, we remove bamboo rhizomes with an excavator. Furthermore, we can install a ‘root barrier’ to prevent the rhizome from spreading within your own or neighbouring properties. A control and management solution will be offered if you want some bamboo to remain without spreading into areas you don’t want it to.

We can arrange a free and no-obligation site survey if you are concerned you have Bamboo in Cardiff. Please call 01269 591651 or 07531 142316 today. Depending on your property and needs, our bamboo experts will assess and offer you varying solutions.