Everything You Need To Learn About Bamboo in The Forest of Dean

Bamboo has been gradually growing in appeal for UK homeowners within the last ten years, nonetheless, unknown to many it is an active and fast-growing plant that is actually extremely difficult to contain and control. In case you have or even believe you have Bamboo in The Forest of Dean then you should seek guidance from a specialist such as Green Leaf Remediation who will advise you regarding your ideal course of action in order to make sure it doesn’t grow out of control.

Bamboo is known and liked for its attractive visual appeal as well as its rapid growth that quickly provides a level of privacy in overlooked gardens in cities, towns and suburban areas, however, many property owners have planted it in the last decade without understanding its swift growth, capability to spread and take over other plants within a garden. We advise and will explain in this article why property owners should be extremely cautious of planting it or taking on a building in which it is present since it is now understood that many varieties of bamboo are highly invasive and extremely difficult to regulate, much like Japanese Knotweed.

The UK Invasive Weed Control Industry is being called on more and more to eradicate and control bamboo where it has been cultivated at a residential or commercial property without knowing how it is going to most likely take over, or perhaps where it has actually spread from an adjoining property.

In summary, they have explained, that invasive bamboo is now emerging as a notable issue for property owners that may not have realised its growth speed and its invasiveness if not effectively controlled. Sometimes, the ‘running’ bamboo varieties can extend up to 30ft underground as well as its substantial above-ground growth.

There are now many mortgage lenders in the UK and The RICS (The Royal Insitute Of Chartered Surveyors) that are incredibly averse to lending on a property where Japanese Knotweed exists or has been present, and a growing number of them are now understanding that bamboo is likewise a huge problem, however, it is still unrecognised as an invasive weed that can easily grow out of control if not planted correctly and managed.

Bamboo seeds can still be easily obtained on the internet or from garden centres in the UK and this is actually adding to the issue that homeowners are still unaware concerning the implications of cultivating and not managing it. This commonly results in it growing out of control and taking over the other flowers and vegetation in a garden and perhaps even spreading to other homeowners’ gardens and land.

Green Leaf Remediation & Removal have noticed a significant surge in the number of enquiries being received from concerned property owners who have planted bamboo and by mistake made it possible for the plant to grow out of control. Our UK weed specialists will evaluate the expansion and suggest our best control and extraction solutions, providing you peace of mind that it will not take over your garden. Get in touch with us at 01269 591651 and our bamboo experts can arrange a totally free, and no-obligation site survey.

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Bamboo in The Forest of Dean – FAQ’s

Is Bamboo an illegal plant in the UK?

Bamboo isn’t currently classified as an invasive plant in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and there are no regulations when planting it, having said that, the weed control industry is advising that bamboo can be as unpredictable as Japanese Knotweed with the identical capability to spread up and out, quickly grow and infest huge areas!

There have been increasingly more recent claims from property owners who have taken legal proceedings against neighbours and residential or commercial properties around them when their bamboo has been allowed to expand onto their properties and ends up being a serious problem for them. There are various varieties of bamboo plants and some are a lot more intrusive and harmful than others, Our article will explain everything you need to know.

What varieties of Bamboo are there?

Both the clumping and running types, have substantial underground root and rhizome systems, making them exceptionally hard to regulate and eliminate without working with an invasive plant expert like Green Leaf Remediation & Removal.

Running Bamboo is the variety that disperses rapidly over and also below ground. It spreads very long, lateral rhizomes (root system), that can easily sometimes reach up to 30ft from the primary plant. This leads to the plant swiftly spreading with fresh shoots and growth emerging in new places or onto other land or property causing disruption everywhere Due to the range that running bamboo can spread, it has been said that it can have the potential to become more damaging than Japanese knotweed and it has comparable capabilities in order to exploit and force through broken or fractured brickwork, drains, walls and patios inducing more destruction as it grows.

Clumping Bamboo is understood to be less intrusive than running bamboo, nevertheless, if it is left uncontrolled and unmanaged it can easily spread out and fairly quickly grow out of control.

If growing bamboo you ought to always consult an expert regarding the variety you use, as well as planting it in containers or with durable root barrier systems in position so as to contain it to the location you want it for, which in turn will avoid the probability of it spreading out.

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

Clump-Forming Bamboo – This particular variety of bamboo features a root mass comparable to normal ornamental grasses, dispersing from the centre and never developing canes beyond 5-10cm from the existing plant.

Running Bamboo – A running bamboo spreads by its horizontal below-ground stems from which overground canes then develop. This underground stem extends and shoots up another cane 60-80cm beyond the first planting site making it easy for it to fairly quickly spread out. This is why a bamboo’s roots need to be held by a root barrier system or in an appropriate flowerpot to avoid it from spreading aggressively and colonizing sections of the soil you do not really want them within.

Varieties Of Clump-Forming Bamboo

• • • Fargesia murielae ‘Simba’
    • Fargesia murielae ‘Volacno’
    • Fargesia murieliae ‘Winter Joy’
    • Fargesia murieliae ‘Rufa’
    • Fargesia nitide

Types of Running Bamboo

• • • Phyllostachys aurea
    • Phyllostachys aureosulcata f. spectabilis
    • Phyllostachys Nigra
    • Pleioblastus pygmaeus Distichus
    • Pleioblastus variegatus
    • Pleioblastus viridistriatus
    • Sasa tsuboiana
    • Sasa veitchi

How fast does Bamboo in The Forest of Dean grow?

This all depends upon the variety of bamboo as well as the ecological elements of the area, soil, air, water and overall ground conditions. Bamboo is understood to be a highly unpredictable plant which in turn means you should take extreme care and guidance from a specialist if planting it or investing in a property where it exists.

Running Bamboo usually tends to grow to its mature height remarkably quickly and spread out aggressively. Some can grow up to 8 metres while others only reach 1 metre, turning it into a huge unknown when planting it, or if you currently have it on your property. Their roots need to be contained to prevent them from spreading as their new canes can grow 90cm to 1.5 metres taller every year until they reach their maximum growing height.

Clump-forming Bamboo has a tendency to grow to lower than 5 metres tall due to its small culms, however, it may grow equally as wide in time if not effectively managed. The new canes of clump-forming bamboo can mature to 30-45cm taller every year, up until it reaches its maximum height.

What is the Bamboo culm?

The bamboo culm is used to describe the bamboo shoot itself. The culms are actually mainly hollow, however, a number of varieties have solid culms. There is a solid joint at the beginning and end of every single culm segment, called a node and the internodes are the segments in between the nodes. This also makes it very similar to Japanese Knotweed.

Is Bamboo in The Forest of Dean invasive?

Bamboo is extremely invasive and like Japanese Knotweed, it expands by using its root system and will be invasive if not managed by a specialist like Green Leaf Remediation. Bamboo is incredibly hardy meaning it will grow in most soils and in extreme weather conditions.

Bamboo has now earned its bad reputation for careless planting but if planting with the correct control methods in place, it can be manageable.

Bamboo spreads from its fast-growing roots that drive horizontally through the soil with its lateral buds which then drive upwards to form the canes. Running bamboo will cover ground faster than a clump-forming bamboo type and often takes homeowners by surprise at precisely how rapidly it spreads.

What types of soil does Bamboo succeed in?

Bamboo is extremely hardy and not at all fussy when it comes to soil type. This can be a benefit if grown for the correct reasons and properly managed.

Is Bamboo a wood, a grass plant or a tree?

Not many people know that bamboo is grass, however, many of the fast-growing invasive bamboo types have a very tree-like appearance and, therefore, are frequently described as bamboo trees. Their stems can be just about anything from a few centimetres in height up to 8 metres within just a few years, with their stem diameters ranging anything from 1 mm to 30 cm.

Can you grow Bamboo in pots?

If you want to grow Bamboo in The Forest of Dean at your home, it should be grown in strong and sturdy pots or containers depending on which variety they are. Growing them in a pot or container or by using a root barrier system will certainly prevent them from spreading out and cultivating your property.

Can Bamboo decrease the value of a property?

Bamboo in The Forest of Dean is becoming much more well known in the property, mortgage and the UK invasive weed industry as a plant that can decrease the value of a residential or commercial property as a result of its exceptionally invasive and unpredictable nature.

A growing number of mortgage companies are now asking if bamboo is present at a property and some may well not lend on it so always do your research before providing on a residential or commercial property and applying for a mortgage.

What colour is Bamboo?

Most varieties of bamboo are evergreen thus they stay green and vibrant all throughout the cold weather when the majority of other plants have died back and this has made them extremely appealing to homeowners who don’t understand their invasive growth. They can shed some leaves during the year but it isn’t a substantial amount.

 

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About The Property Care Association (PCA)

Dr Peter Fitzsimons of the Property Care Association, a trade body representing invasive weed control contractors and consultants, said bamboos are “woody” grass that has commercial importance in their native home. However, he said that in the UK the plant has qualities similar to those of an “alien invasive species”. A few of those features include being fast-spreading, dominating indigenous vegetation and being insusceptible to natural predators, for instance, pests or fungi. He added: “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.”.
What is the Property Care Association?

The Property Care Association (PCA) is the UK’s leading trade association that represents specialists who can be depended on resolving problems having an effect on buildings and property generally.

What the Property Care Association (PCA) say about their service providers.

• • • Professional trustworthy site surveys and investigations that deliver peace of mind through detailed investigation and correct diagnosis for house owners and businesses
    • Services are provided by trained, experienced, vetted and qualified surveyors and inspectors
    • Contractor members are able to complete highly specialised repairs and treatments, effectively, efficiently and safely, using skilled experienced site operatives
    • PCA members are required to meet and maintain robust membership criteria. This covers aspects of services including professional qualifications, technical competence, service delivery & financial stability

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About Our Bamboo Management & Control Services

Bamboo makes a positive contribution to the natural environment along with it being aesthetically pleasing and is an excellent plant to use if you are looking for privacy in an area. Nonetheless, our experts advise exceptional care and we would not advise planting Bamboo in The Forest of Dean in an ordinary domestic garden due to its invasive root growth. It will spread underground as well as grow very quickly above ground, taking over the other plants and vegetation in a garden.

Planting Bamboo is quite similar to planting Japanese Knotweed in your garden, however, it isn’t yet against the law to do so. Japanese Knotweed is well known by property owners as being an invasive weed but Bamboo seeds and plants are still widely offered across the UK however possess the very same invasive characteristics as Knotweed and will very quickly take over an area if not handled properly.

Green Leaf Remediation have seen how intrusive Bamboo in The Forest of Dean is and our experts have actually helped many customers who were initially not aware of its harmful and unpredictable nature when they initially planted it, or whenever they initially brought their house to remove and regulate their bamboo infestation. Bamboo in The Forest of Dean is typically grown along borders in or about a structure to provide personal privacy to a property. Throughout the last few years, our team have indeed observed how this has led to many awkward as well as avoidable conflicts with neighbours whenever the bamboo has expanded out of control onto their property.

Our belief is that whilst bamboo is not yet certified as an invasive weed as Japanese Knotweed is, greater awareness and concern for this plant is required. There are more than 100 species of bamboo, with upwards of 30 or so varying species commonly discovered in the UK.

General Guide to Bamboo Rhizomes (roots)

• • • Runners will literally ‘run’, meaning, spreading laterally and quickly
    • Clumpers will continue to grow if not correctly managed and managed, however, they won’t colonise as much soil as the running species do

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants around and will quickly colonise new soil, and in doing so, will quickly consume open spaces and can cause substantial damage to many solid structures.

The rhizomes aren’t as brittle as their Japanese Knotweed equivalent, making them a demanding task to remove if you are not an expert. Once a bamboo rhizome has developed itself within the soil or between a solid construction, removing it is the same as attempting to remove a rope from a solid slab of concrete.

Green Leaf Remediation provide several removal and control solutions when it involves bamboo. We understand that every infestation will have its own obstacles and our specialists will work out the best eradication and control methods depending on your property and site.

In many scenarios, our team work with an excavator to take out the majority of the bamboo’s rhizome. Our experts can also put in an effective ‘root barrier’ which helps prevent the rhizome from continuing to spread out within your own and neighbouring properties. If you would like some of the bamboo to stay then our specialists will offer you a control and management solution so it can remain without spreading into regions you don’t want it to.

If you have an invasion of bamboo or are worried you have Bamboo in The Forest of Dean contact us today on 01269 591651 to arrange your cost-free and no-obligation site survey. Our bamboo specialists will assess and provide you with different solutions depending on your residential or commercial property and needs.