Bamboo removal/barrier fabric - Ask Extension
Can you recommend anyone to remove bamboo and install a fabric barrier to prevent future invasion from bamboo adjacent to the property? Also, in your ...
Knowledgebase
Bamboo removal/barrier fabric #917098
Asked September 10, 2025, 11:52 AM EDT
Can you recommend anyone to remove bamboo and install a fabric barrier to prevent future invasion from bamboo adjacent to the property? Also, in your article on bamboo removal, where can I find the PP or HDPE fabric?
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi- it's important to identify landscape management companies that have experience removing bamboo. However, we cannot recommend specific businesses.
Running bamboo species will spread unless removed (i.e., all of the rhizomes 12-18 inches down in the soil) or contained.
Reputable contractors who do bamboo remediation work tend to follow some variation of this process: cut all culms (bamboo stalks) to the ground, use a skid steer loader or mini-excavator to dig and lift rhizomes and roots, and remove all rhizome remnants by hand. Grade and replant as needed. (It can be difficult to remove bamboo rhizomes that surround a fence. They wrap around footers.)
Cutting the culms and applying a non-selective herbicide to the cut ends will not eradicate the bamboo stand in one year. It usually takes several years.
A bamboo barrier is installed if containment, not eradication, is the goal. The barrier should be at least 36 inches wide and 80 mils thick (2 mm) with 8 inches above grade to prevent rhizomes from "walking" over the barrier when organic matter fills the bamboo side. You can see bamboo barrier choices by entering "bamboo barrier materials" into your browser's search box.
Detailed information on invasive bamboo:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/containing-and-removing-bamboo/
Jon
Running bamboo species will spread unless removed (i.e., all of the rhizomes 12-18 inches down in the soil) or contained.
Reputable contractors who do bamboo remediation work tend to follow some variation of this process: cut all culms (bamboo stalks) to the ground, use a skid steer loader or mini-excavator to dig and lift rhizomes and roots, and remove all rhizome remnants by hand. Grade and replant as needed. (It can be difficult to remove bamboo rhizomes that surround a fence. They wrap around footers.)
Cutting the culms and applying a non-selective herbicide to the cut ends will not eradicate the bamboo stand in one year. It usually takes several years.
A bamboo barrier is installed if containment, not eradication, is the goal. The barrier should be at least 36 inches wide and 80 mils thick (2 mm) with 8 inches above grade to prevent rhizomes from "walking" over the barrier when organic matter fills the bamboo side. You can see bamboo barrier choices by entering "bamboo barrier materials" into your browser's search box.
Detailed information on invasive bamboo:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/containing-and-removing-bamboo/
Jon
