Bamboo in Ammanford – Everything You Need To Know

Over the past decade, bamboo has steadily grown in popularity among some UK homeowners, but it is a vigorous and fast-growing plant that is hard to control and contain. If you think you have Bamboo in Ammanford, then you should contact a specialist like South Wales Knotweed who will advise you on how to handle it so it doesn’t get out of hand.

In cities, towns and suburbs, bamboo can provide privacy in overlooked gardens due to its fast growth, and many homeowners plant it without realising its fast growth and ability to spread and take over other vegetation. There is now an awareness that some types of bamboo are extremely invasive and extremely difficult to control and, therefore, you should be wary of planting them or taking on properties where they are present, and we would advise that you always seek advice from a specialist first.

It is becoming more and more common for the UK Invasive Weed Control Industry to remove and control bamboo on properties where it has been planted for no know how long it will take to establish itself, or where it has spread from a neighbouring garden.

Industry sources have stated that invasive bamboo is becoming a major issue for British homeowners who may not have realised how fast it grows and how invading it can be if not controlled. ‘Running’ bamboo varieties can grow up to 30ft underground as well as extensively above ground.

The RICS (The Royal Institute Of Chartered Surveyors) and some mortgage lenders in the UK are extremely averse to lending on properties where Japanese Knotweed is present or has been present, and they are realizing that bamboo is also a problem but is still unrecognized by many homeowners as an invasive weed that can grow out of control if not planted or managed appropriately.

Despite this, bamboo seeds continue to be easily available online and in garden centres throughout the UK, which adds to the problem that homeowners are still unaware of the consequences of planting them. As a consequence, it often grows out of control, taking over other plants and vegetation in a garden and even spreading to the yards of other homeowners.

The number of customers contacting Green Leaf Remediation has increased dramatically as a result of homeowners planting bamboo in their gardens and inadvertently allowing it to grow out of control. We will assess the growth and advise you on the best control and removal methods for your garden, ensuring that it does not take over. We can arrange a free, no-obligation site survey for you by calling 01269 591651 or 07531 142316 today.

Bamboo Ammanford FAQs

Is Bamboo illegal in the UK?

There are no restrictions on planting bamboo and it is not considered an invasive plant under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. However, the weed control industry advises that bamboo can be just as unpredictable as Japanese Knotweed, spreading, growing rapidly and infesting large areas of ground.

The number of recent claims brought by homeowners against their neighbours and properties around them who have allowed their bamboo to spread onto their properties has increased. The bamboo plant comes in many varieties, and some are more invasive and destructive than others.

What are the different types of Bamboo?

With their large underground roots and rhizomes, both the clumping and running types of Japanese Knotweed are extremely difficult to control and eliminate without a specialist like South Wales Japanese Knotweed.

Bamboo that spreads rapidly over and underground is called running bamboo. This plant has long, lateral rhizomes (root systems), which can sometimes reach up to 30ft from the main plant. This results in the plant quickly spreading with new shoots and growth emerging in new areas or onto other land or property causing disruption all around.

As a result of the distance running bamboo can spread, it has been said that it could be more destructive than Japanese knotweed, having similar abilities to push through broken or cracked brickwork, drains, walls, and patios, causing more damage the more it grows.

Clumping bamboo is less invasive than running bamboo, but if left uncontrolled and unmanaged, it can spread rapidly.

When planting bamboo, always consult with a specialist on which type to use and make sure it is planted in containers or with root barriers to prevent it from spreading.

How are clump-forming bamboos and running bamboos different?

Clump Forming Bamboos – These bamboos develop roots similar to normal ornamental grasses, spreading from the centre and growing no further than 5-10cm from the existing plant.

Bamboo running – Bamboo running spreads by means of horizontal underground stems from which canes grow above ground. A new cane emerges from this underground stem 60-80cm away from the original planting site, allowing it to spread rapidly. In order to prevent bamboo roots from spreading aggressively and colonizing parts of your soil, you do not want them to, the bamboo roots should be enclosed by a root barrier system or placed in a suitable pot.

Types 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

What is the growth rate of bamboo in Ammanford?

All of this depends on the type of bamboo and the ground conditions, soil, air, water, and general environment of the area. It is known that bamboo is an unpredictable plant, so you should take extreme care and seek advice from a specialist before planting it or buying a property where it is present.

Running Bamboo reaches its mature height very quickly and spreads aggressively. There are some trees that grow up to 8 metres while others only reach 1 metre, making it tough to predict when planting them or if you already have them on your property. It is necessary to contain their roots in order to prevent them from spreading as their new canes can grow 90 cm to 1.5 metres per year until they reach their maximum height.

The clump-forming bamboos grow to less than 5 metres tall due to their small culms, but they can also grow similarly wide over time if not effectively controlled. The canes of clump-forming bamboos can grow 30 to 45 cm taller every year until they reach their maximum height.

Bamboo shoots are referred to as bamboo culms. Some species have solid culms, but the majority are hollow. Each culm segment begins and ends with a solid joint, called a node, and the internodes are the segments between the nodes.

Is Bamboo invasive in Ammanford?

Like Japanese Knotweed, bamboo spreads via its root system and will become invasive if not handled by a professional like South Wales Knotweed. It will grow in most soil types and in extreme weather conditions because bamboo is extremely hardy.

Despite its bad reputation for irresponsible planting, bamboo can be controlled if you plant it using the correct control methods in place.

With fast-growing roots that push horizontally through the soil, the lateral buds of bamboo form canes that then grow upwards. Bamboo that runs will cover ground more quickly than one that forms clumps, and homeowners are often surprised by how quickly it spreads.

How well does Bamboo grow in different soil types?

Bamboo grows in a variety of soil types and is extremely hardy. It can be beneficial if planted for the right reasons and properly controlled.

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

Many people do not realize that bamboo is grass, but some invasive bamboo types look like trees, so they are often referred to as bamboo trees. In just a few years, their stems can grow up to 8 metres tall, and their diameters range from 1 mm to 30 cm.

Can Bamboo grow in pots?

Bamboo can be grown in Ammanford in pots or containers depending on the type of bamboo. By growing them in a pot or container, you can prevent them from spreading and settling on your property.

Is Bamboo devaluing properties?

Increasingly known in the UK invasive weed and property industry, bamboo in Ammanford is an invasive and unpredictable plant that is highly invasive and can devalue a property.

A growing number of mortgage companies are asking if bamboo is present at a property, and some may not lend on it, so always do your homework before making an offer and applying for a mortgage.

Can Bamboo poison humans?

Bamboo contains cyanide-producing toxins when eaten. However, they must be cut away from their exteriors and then boiled before they can be consumed. Neither humans nor animals should consume bamboo.

What is the strength of bamboo compared to wood?

Using the Janka Hardness Test, which determines the hardness of wood, bamboo is known to be 2-3 times harder than most hardwoods. This universal Janka hardness test (named after the Austrian-born emigrant Gabriel Janka, 1864-1932) measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear.

What colour is Bamboo in winter?

Since bamboos are evergreen, they remain green and vibrant during the winter months when most other plants have withered, which has made them extremely appealing to homeowners who don’t realize how invasive they are. During the year, they can shed a few leaves, but the amount isn’t great.

Property Care Association Bamboo Comments

Dr Peter Fitzsimons of the Property Care Association, a trade body that represents invasive weed control contractors and consultants has said bamboos are “woody” grass that has commercial importance in their native home. However, in the UK the plant has characteristics similar to those of an “alien invasive species”. Some of those characteristics include being fast-spreading, dominating native vegetation and being resistant to natural predators such as insects or fungi.

He has said: “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 trusted to resolve problems affecting buildings and property in general.

What the PCA has to say about their specialists

1. Professional site surveys and investigations that provide peace of mind through detailed investigation and accurate diagnosis for homeowners and businesses
2. Training, expertise, vetting, and qualifications are required for the surveyors and inspectors
3. With skilled, experienced site operatives, contractor members can complete highly specialized repairs and treatments effectively, efficiently and safely
4. A robust membership criteria is required for PCA members. This includes aspects such as professional qualifications, technical competence, service delivery, and financial stability

South Wales Knotweed Bamboo Management & Control Services in Ammanford

Bamboo is both environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing, and a great plant if you want to give yourself some privacy. Our recommendation is to use extreme caution when planting Bamboo in Ammanford, as it has an invasive root system. Taking over other plants and vegetation in a garden, it spreads underground and grows quickly above ground.

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

South Wales Knotweed have seen how invasive Bamboo in Ammanford is and we have helped many customers who were initially unaware of its destructive and unpredictable nature when they first planted it, or when they first brought their home to remove and control their bamboo infestation.

Bamboo in Ammanford is often planted along boundaries in or around a structure to provide privacy to a property. Over the last few years, we have seen how this has resulted in many awkward and avoidable disputes with neighbours when the bamboo has spread out of control onto their land. Our belief is that whilst bamboo is not yet registered as an invasive weed as Japanese Knotweed is, greater awareness and concern for this plant is required. There are over 100 species of bamboo, with in excess of 30 or so varying species commonly found in the UK.

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

Runners – these will ‘run’, meaning, spread laterally and quickly

Clumpers – these will continue to grow if not correctly controlled and managed, however, they won’t colonise as much soil as the running species do

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet and will quickly colonise new soil, and in doing so, will quickly consume open spaces and can cause serious damage to many solid structures. The rhizomes aren’t as brittle as their Japanese Knotweed equivalent, making them a challenge to remove if you are not an expert. Once a bamboo rhizome has established itself within the soil or amongst a solid structure, removing it is the same as attempting to remove a rope from a solid slab of concrete.

South Wales Knotweed offer different removal and control solutions when it comes to bamboo. Each infestation will have its own challenges and our experts will work out the best removal and control methods depending on your property and site.

In most scenarios, we use an excavator to remove the majority of the bamboo’s rhizome. We can also install a suitable ‘root barrier’ which prevents the rhizome from continuing to spread within your own and neighbouring properties. If you would like some of the bamboo to remain then our experts will offer you a control and management solution so it can remain without spreading into areas you don’t want it to.

If you are concerned you have Bamboo in Ammanford contact us today on 01269 591651 or 07531 142316 to arrange your free and no-obligation site survey. Our bamboo experts will assess and offer you different solutions dependent on your property and needs.