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
How to Identify Bamboo Varieties
As bamboo is the name of a species, identification of each variety comes from looking at the specifics of the plant at hand. However, generally, bamboo can be characterised by its thick culms (stems) and multiple, joining nodes (swelling around the end of culm segments). Most culms are hollow, but some varieties may be solid.
Given the intricate details involved in identifying bamboo varieties, consulting a professional service can significantly simplify the process. Japanese Knotweed Specialists are renowned for their expertise in invasive plant management and species identification.
Bamboo flowers every 65 to 120 years or so, and as such, flowers can’t be relied on to spot the variety of bamboo. The roots, also called rhizomes, when determining the invasive variety, are what you need to identify the species and type.
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 looking 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
In North America and Europe, the species Phyllostachys nigra (shown right) is one of the most popular types of black bamboo. However, there are many varieties of black bamboo that are clumping, and therefore better suited to growing for colour varieties.
Is Black Bamboo invasive?
Black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) can be invasive due to its running rhizome system. These rhizomes spread aggressively underground, allowing the bamboo to quickly colonise new areas and potentially outcompete other plants. If not properly managed, black bamboo can spread beyond its intended boundaries, making it challenging to control. Installing barriers or regularly pruning the rhizomes can help prevent unwanted spread and maintain the bamboo within a designated area.
Gigantochloa atroviolacea, or Java black, is a stunning, large and thick variety that suits more tropical areas, and is a clump-forming type.
Bambusa lako, or Timor black, is a glossy species
that grows shoots up to 60 ft but cannot withstand freezing
temperatures.
Is Bamboo Invasive In The UK?
Yes and no. Bamboo is not native to Europe and therefore, other UK plants and animals have not evolved to deal with it, making it invasive if left unmanaged and it spreads.
The RHS has released guidance in recent years over planting bamboo without due care and attention, and it has led to the industry calling for more awareness around planting bamboo.
Bamboo is becoming a problem that could develop, if left unchecked, to be as bad as Japanese knotweed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall does bamboo grow?
How fast does bamboo grow?
What plants look similar to bamboo?
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Speak to one of our expert invasive bamboo specialists today on 0800 122 3326.
