Expert and professional bamboo identification and removal services. Find out how to identify bamboo varieties and signs of a future problem.
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What is Invasive Bamboo?
Bamboo, both the clumping and running kind, is a non-native species to Europe. If not kept under control, bamboo can quickly transition from being a beautiful ornamental plant to an invasive problem.
Like Japanese knotweed, bamboo is spread through a rhizome system. Clumping bamboo remains as a large root ball, whereas running bamboo creates a long network of rhizomes that can spread up to 30ft, under fences and through existing structures.
In rare cases, these rhizomes can cause damage to homes, creating cracks in the foundations of buildings as they force their way through into living areas.
In the past few years, an increased interest in Japanese culture and more simplistic design trends has led to a rise in bamboo’s prevalence in the UK. To uninformed homeowners, bamboo becomes a threat when left unmanaged, and can cause problems if it spreads to neighbouring land.
In the past few years, an increased interest in Japanese culture and more simplistic design trends has led to a rise in bamboo’s prevalence in the UK. To uninformed homeowners, bamboo becomes a threat when left unmanaged, and can cause problems if it spreads to neighbouring land. Identifying bamboo types early is vital to control and potentially remove invasive bamboo.
Invasive Bamboo Identification & Removal from Japanese Knotweed Specialists
We are industry-leading invasive species removal experts, offering bamboo identification and eradication. We also work with a variety of other invasive weeds, from Japanese knotweed to giant hogweed.
Our removal comes with PCA and RICS approved guarantees from five to 35 years, and we can offer both herbicide-based removal and excavation.
Get in touch today for a quote from an expert consultant for an identification survey or a quote on invasive or non-native bamboo removal
What Does Bamboo Look Like?
To identify bamboo species accurately, it helps to look at the shape of the leaves, the structure of the stems (also called culms), and the way the roots grow. Most bamboo plants have tall, hollow culms with distinct joints known as nodes. The leaves are long, narrow, and arranged alternately with veins that run parallel from base to tip.
Bamboo falls into two main categories: clumping and running. Clumping bamboo grows in tight clusters with short, curved rhizomes. Running bamboo spreads much more aggressively using long, horizontal rhizomes that can surface far from the original plant.
Bamboo flowers are not a reliable way to identify the species, since most varieties only flower once every 60 to 120 years. A visual assessment combined with root inspection is the most effective way to identify invasive varieties. If you're unsure, our specialists can confirm the species through a professional survey.
How to identify Bamboo leaves?
Identifying bamboo leaves involves looking for several distinctive characteristics. Bamboo leaves are typically lance-shaped, meaning they are long and narrow with pointed tips. They have a prominent central vein, and the veins run parallel from the base to the tip of the leaf.
The leaves are usually arranged alternately along the branches and are smooth-edged or finely serrated. Their colour ranges from light to dark green and can sometimes be glossy. Observing these features can help differentiate bamboo leaves from those of other plants.
How to identify Bamboo stems?
Identifying bamboo stems involves noting their unique structure and growth patterns. Bamboo stems, or culms, are hollow and segmented with distinct nodes, or joints, at regular intervals along their length. These nodes are solid and can appear swollen, marking the points where branches grow.
The culms vary in diameter and height depending on the species, ranging from a few millimetres to several centimetres in thickness and from a few feet to over 100 feet tall. The surface can be smooth or slightly rough, often with a green, yellow, or sometimes black colouration. Bamboo stems grow in dense clumps or as solitary shoots, distinguishing them from other plants.
How to identify Bamboo roots?
Bamboo roots have a distinctive rhizome system. These roots are thick, woody, and spread horizontally just below the soil surface. They form a network of interconnected rhizomes, from which new shoots and culms emerge. Depending on the species, these rhizomes can be either clumping (sympodial) or running (monopodial).
Clumping rhizomes grow in a compact, circular pattern, while running rhizomes spread outwards, sending up new shoots at intervals, sometimes several feet away from the parent plant. This unique growth pattern helps differentiate bamboo roots from those of other plants.
Running Bamboo Varieties
Running bamboo will have long rhizomes that spread quickly unless contained. The following are running bamboos:
- Phyllostachys (can be clump-forming in cold conditions)
- Sasaella
- Pseudosasa
- Sinobambusa
- Bashania
Clumping/Clump-Forming Bamboo Varieties
Clump-forming tend to be less invasive, instead creating large root balls. The following are common clumping bamboos:
- Bambusa
- Fargesia
- Schizostachyum
- Dendrocalamus
Identifying these bamboo types, without excavation, is tricky. If you dig down and find a big root ball, then it’s likely to be a clump-forming type, whereas finding long, intricate root systems suggest a running type. It’s always best to hire a specialist to fully identify the bamboo.
If you are beginning to look for bamboo to cultivate, then garden centres will commonly refer to it by a colour name, such as golden, traditional or black, rather than the genus, making it deceptive for those looking to buy a new plant. The colour of the plant does not indicate whether it could be invasive or not, instead research must be done into the specific variety to understand the potential risk.
Golden Bamboo Varieties
Golden bamboo can refer to Phyllostachys aurea or Bambusa vulgaris.
P.aurea (shown left) can grow up to 60ft and is considered invasive, as it grows quickly, even in cooler climates. With modest sized culms, it’s a graceful looking bamboo that will become invasive if not planted with a root barrier. B.vulgaris is a clumping variety that does not grow as wide but just as high and with very thick culms.
They both, however, have distinctive yellowy-gold canes that earns them the name golden bamboo.
Black Bamboo Varieties
There are several black bamboo species found in Europe, North America and warmer tropical regions. One of the most widely planted is Phyllostachys nigra, known for its dark, glossy canes and fast-growing habit. However, not all black bamboo species behave the same. Some spread aggressively, while others remain contained and are suitable for gardens or landscaping projects.
Is black bamboo invasive?
Yes, Phyllostachys nigra can be invasive because it spreads underground through a running rhizome system. These roots travel quickly beneath the surface and can send up new shoots far from the original plant. If left unmanaged, this species can become difficult to control. Installing root barriers or cutting back rhizomes regularly helps to keep it contained.
Other black bamboo species are clump-forming and far less invasive. Gigantochloa atroviolacea (Java black) grows well in tropical conditions, while Bambusa lako (Timor black) also forms clumps but does not tolerate freezing temperatures. Choosing the right species is important if you want to avoid unwanted spread.
Is Bamboo Invasive in the UK?
Yes, many bamboo species are considered invasive in the UK if left unmanaged, especially running types like Phyllostachys.
Bamboo is not native to Europe, and local ecosystems haven’t evolved to contain its rapid spread. Without root barriers or routine maintenance, it can invade neighbouring properties and cause structural damage.
The RHS has issued updated guidance around planting bamboo responsibly, and there is growing concern that unmanaged invasive bamboo could become as problematic as Japanese knotweed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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