Clumping vs Running Bamboo UK
Which is worse Clumping or Running Bamboo ?

We are very often told that clumping bamboo does not spread, it is only running bamboo that causes problems. We hear this constantly, yet we remove far more clumping bamboo than running bamboo !

These are just two of the questions that we are constantly asked.
There is no difinitive answer to these or many other of the bamboo questions, however we can just give our opinion based on our extensive on the ground experience.

We firmly believe that bamboo is not suitable to be planted in most domestic gardens in the UK, the potential problems and the ultimate cost to temove bamboo simply makes it an uneise decision.

So which is worse ?
Again in our experience they are as bad as each other but for different reasons.

We will start with the so called “Clumping Bamboo”

Clumping bamboo forms sympodial rhizomes, generally short and close bonding which spread less aggressively in its early years of growth.

This ultra tough dense rhizome mass is what makes clumping bamboo a problem to remove, basically it is incredibly tough.

Excavation of clumping bamboo generally needs an excavator, however there are lots of occasions in domestic gardens where there is simply no access for an excavator, meaning works have to be by hand. This clearly leads to more time needed and cost rising.

Many people also belive that clumping bamboo will never spread, sadly in many cases this is not the case.
Once clumping bamboo reaches maturity, or when conditions are right, clumping bamboo will very often send out running rhizomes that will then form new clumps of bamboo. Bamboo is genetically programmed to grow and expand.

It is this misconception that leads many homeowners into a false sense of security.
The bamboo is left, not monitored, and it is not until it is too late that it becomes apparent that the bamboo has spread and now needs dealing with often with significant cost implications.

Now lets take a look at “Running Bamboo”

Many people have heard of nightmare running bamboo, spreading wildly throughout a garden and it is this type that is always on everyones watch list.
The rhizomes formed by running bamboo are monopodial, these are longer, are not closely bonded and spread quickly and widely.

Running bamboo can quickly spread over large areas, even spreading throughout entire gardens and into neighbouring gardens which leads to a further and potentially even more costly issue of bamboo encroachment.

So how does this affect the removal ?
Removal of running bamboo is no less problematic than clumping bamboo, the issues are slightly different however.
Running bamboo rhizomes are often physically easier to remove, however it is likely that they will have spread over a far bigger area, this means a much bigger area needs excavating, often affecting a larger number of existing trees, shrubs, plants and hard landscaping such as paths, patios and the like.

The Reality Of Cases.
It is fairly rare for us to encounter cases where people have planted species of running bamboo, simply as these varieties are generally not sold because of their growing characteristics.

The vast majority of our bamboo removals are where clumping bamboo has matured or environmental conditions are right and it is this clumping bamboo that is now sending out running rhizomes to form new clumping bamboo colonies.
Theo on theground reality is that many of these clumping bamboo have been planted in boundary locations, normally to provide privacy, it is this location that often provides the main issue “Bamboo Encroachment”

Read more of our information articles to understand “Bamboo Encroachment”

No More Bamboo – The Bamboo Removal Specialists covering Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

Call our bamboo experts 07485 411618

Clumping Bamboo Rhizome.
The very dense mass of the bottom of the bamboo culms, the clumping rhizome itself and the roots sprouting from the rhizome.
This ultra tough mass incorporates soil and stones as it grows increasing the overall density and resistance to removal.
The closeup photographs are rhizome that has been washed to show the structure.

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