Getting rid of bamboo

FreeBear
FreeBear Posts: 17,867 Forumite
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Have a couple of clumps of bamboo that need to go. In the past, I've had a couple of fit young lads digging the stuff out using spades, forks, mattocks, and axes. Both of them gave up after a long day of hard graft....
Got me a reciprocating saw (needed one for another job last year). Hacking the root ball in to 6" squares, the bamboo is coming out quite easy. Fortunately, my soil is sandy with with very few stones. Even so, the blades soon dulls. Just ordered a TCT brick/cement blade, so will see if that lasts any better.
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Comments

  • It's a ****er of a thing to eradicate so good that you got the heavier equipment !
    It's runners/roots spread far and wide so try to ensure as wide an area as possible is turned over, having sandy soil is a bonus too (i'm on sandy too) as it makes the job almost 100% easier than other types.
  • twopenny
    twopenny Posts: 7,103 Forumite
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    Some bamboo is clump forming and doesn't run - but sounds like you've got a thug.
    Interesting technique.
    If you do see new shoots coming up get some of the earth out around and pour boiling water on.
    No idea if this works but I've seen it recommend.

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  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 17,867 Forumite
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    edited 23 April 2023 at 10:37AM
    twopenny said: Some bamboo is clump forming and doesn't run - but sounds like you've got a thug.
    Interesting technique.
    Definitely clump forming. One patch was well established when the family moved in over 50 years ago. The other clump is about 30 years old. The youngest clump has tried to run a couple of times, but it was easy enough to knock it back.
    I'll take some photos later for your amusement.

    Her courage will change the world.

    Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.
  • Dustyevsky
    Dustyevsky Posts: 2,351 Forumite
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    A friend had the dwarf kind running through her front garden, until I gave it some selective treatment in autumn 2021. Took about 15 minutes and hasn't re-grown. 
    Not buying into it.
  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 17,867 Forumite
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    FreeBear said: I'll take some photos later for your amusement.

    Rain stopped play, and I need a new blade.
    After cutting through the rhizomes, the blocks pull out easy enough.

    Her courage will change the world.

    Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.
  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 17,867 Forumite
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    Carbide tipped masonry/concrete blades are a must. Regular wood blades do not last long.
    Her courage will change the world.

    Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.
  • twopenny
    twopenny Posts: 7,103 Forumite
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    Well you learn something new each day!

    Wonder if it would work on Pampas grass?

    I can rise and shine - just not at the same time!

    viral kindness .....kindness is contageous pass it on

    The only normal people you know are the ones you don’t know very well


  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 17,867 Forumite
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    twopenny said:
    Well you learn something new each day!

    Wonder if it would work on Pampas grass?
    Probably, but I'd suggest wearing stout leather gauntlets.

    Her courage will change the world.

    Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.
  • twopenny
    twopenny Posts: 7,103 Forumite
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    I wondered because I actually turned a house down because of the huge clump of pampas and reading it could only be burnt out, deep into the ground.
    I like pampas grass, just not huge in the vegetable patch  :/

    I can rise and shine - just not at the same time!

    viral kindness .....kindness is contageous pass it on

    The only normal people you know are the ones you don’t know very well


  • olgadapolga
    olgadapolga Posts: 2,323 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    twopenny said:
    I wondered because I actually turned a house down because of the huge clump of pampas and reading it could only be burnt out, deep into the ground.

    I like pampas grass, just not huge in the vegetable patch  :/
    We removed two enormous pampas grass clumps by using an absolutely evil petrol brush cutter to cut it down to the level of the surrounding earth.

    There was no chance of burning it out as a) the clumps were saturated and b) they were next to a wooden fence so we spent many (happy) hours digging it out. It was tricky as the previous owners of the house had planted the grasses next to a pond and there wasn't much room to work between the pond and fence.

    The plants did not make any attempt at a comeback (unlike the stubborn apple tree we've currently got which just won't quit, despite being ringbarked twice - I want the tree for height in the garden but not the horrible apples it produces).

    FreeBear said:

     I'd suggest wearing stout leather gauntlets.

    Definitely, the blades are terribly sharp, like serrated knives.
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