CA’s Approach to Invasive Bamboo Removal
A huge part of our mission at CA is to protect and conserve the environment for generations to come. That includes reducing the impact of non-native invasive species 🌱.
Bamboo is one invasive species that’s particularly problematic. Prevention is the best way to tackle the spread of bamboo, so we’re shining a light on why planting this invasive species should be avoided at all costs.
Why is bamboo a problem?
Non-native invasive plants like bamboo are a major threat to the open space we all love and cherish. They crowd out and displace valuable native plants, which has a negative domino effect on Columbia’s environment. For instance, consider the pollinators who rely on native plants – these populations begin to dwindle when invasives take over. This impact continues up the food chain, degrading our wildlife community and ecosystem.
Bamboo may appear harmless, but it’s an incredibly damaging non-native invasive species.
5 reasons bamboo is problematic:
- It creates a biological dead zone. Dense clumps of bamboo block all sunlight from the forest floor and degrade wildlife habitat.
- It has very aggressive roots, which spread quickly, and are difficult to completely exhaust.
- Simply cutting bamboo down without follow-up work is not effective for permanent removal.
- The removal process is an intensive battle that typically takes five or more years.
- A single leaf cane or piece of root can sprout to form new infestations.
“Bamboo is especially harmful because it grows at an extremely quick and aggressive rate. In fact, it’s so damaging and hard to get rid of, that the state legislature recently passed legislation allowing individual counties in Maryland to enact their own bamboo regulations.” -Eric Walker, CA conservation landscape specialist
Prevention is key
Once bamboo is established, it’s difficult to remove. That’s why the best thing you can do is to avoid planting bamboo in the first place – and tell others not to as well.
As a large grass with a woody stem, there are different varieties of bamboo (none of which should be planted in Columbia). One thing most varieties have in common is a thick stem. Typically, they are split into two groups:
- Running types: These varieties spread through the growth of long, horizontal roots and tend to be taller and faster growing than clumping varieties. The most common bamboo type in our area is Yellow-groove bamboo (Phyllostachys aureosulcata).
- Clump-forming types: These varieties create large root balls.
Non-native invasive bamboo is sometimes confused with the native Switch cane (Arundinaria tecta), which is now considered rare in our area. You can find more info on identification on pages 36 and 37 of this resource guide to Mid-Atlantic plants.
Do you have bamboo near your home that you would like controlled? There are several options available to you. Check out the trusted websites, fact sheets and technical bulletins below to learn about bamboo control options. Understanding biology and ecology of bamboo will greatly increase your chances of successful control.
- Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas
- Containing and Removing Bamboo – University of Maryland Extension
- Bamboo Growth and Control – Alabama Cooperative Extension System
How CA is tackling bamboo removal
CA is committed to doing our part to tackle the issue of invasive bamboo. Every day, we’re working in areas of CA’s open space that are heavily infested with invasive plants to improve habitat and protect native plants. Currently, our team has inventoried more than 90 bamboo sites that occur in Open Space and we are prioritizing control work on about 25 of those this season.
At this time, we are managing bamboo infestations that occur on CA Open Space property, and do not provide direct control services on private property.
There are two main ways we handle bamboo removal:
- Machine-assisted removal: The preferred method is to run over the bamboo with a forestry mower. After the mower grinds it down, we till the soil to bring the roots to the surface to dry out and then manage the resprouts with herbicide. We also excavate and remove canes using heavy machinery.
- Manual and chemical removal: We can’t always use machines (for instance, sometimes sewage lines are in the way). In these cases, we cut the bamboo flush to the ground, remove all the material, and spray it with herbicide when it regrows.
Both methods take 5-10 years of follow-up, so we greatly appreciate your patience as we work to decrease the impact of bamboo in Open Space.
For more information on how we manage bamboo in Open Space or to review control options available to you, please reach out to CA’s Conservation Landscape Specialist Eric Walker: eric.walker@columbiaassociation.org.
Left: Yellow-groove bamboo infestation in Hickory Ridge, February 2024. Right: The infestation was cut in March 2024 and treated with herbicide. Regrowth and sprouting will occur and herbicide will be applied to foliage. Controlling and suppressing growth each year can permanently remove bamboo, but it is a long process.
Left: Large bamboo infestation ground and tilled in King’s Contrivance, December 2021. Right: The site after more cutting and herbicide applications, October 2023.
Be part of the solution
By not planting bamboo, you’re already doing your part to help protect Columbia’s ecosystem. Want to take it a step further? Consider joining the Weed Warriors, a CA volunteer group made up of residents who remove invasive species. We’re always looking for more volunteers to join our mission. Learn more here.
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