Getting to the root of the matter might be the problem ….
“I haven’t come across this yet, but there are rumblings that bamboo could become the new Japanese knotweed. It’s not a good idea to have it anywhere near the drains.”
So says a professional surveyor I chatted to informally, who’s used to inspecting residential properties to be sold. Furthermore, he says, “personally I would not have it on my land, although my neighbour has it up against the fence which I can’t do anything about!”
It has to go
Tragedy! “It has to go” – our bamboo – so say at least two gardeners with “previous” of dealing with rampant bamboos with trunks more than 150 cm in diameter and horizontally growing roots that threaten border fences, patios, driveways and foundations.
We have a beautiful bamboo, which dominates the edge of our paved garden and screens us from opposite neighbours’ view of our space. I’m tempted to call it a “beautiful thing”, and I’ve consequently renamed it “Donald” – very large, ever present, every day, and unlikely to go away any time soon.
I don’t like the idea of destroying and removing a wonderful growth from our garden, but it is potentially destructive – not unlike the aforementioned Japanese invasive thingy – and a dangerous pest that might undermine the flimsy foundation of our 200-year-old converted coach house.
Disposal
I resist, as a wonderful-looking plant will have to be cut down and its roots dug up. I’m no environmentalist, but I do get upset, not only because the loss of wonderful canes and leaves will disturb the border vista of our lovely courtyard garden, but because the detritus from the capital punishment of the plant will just end up in a landfill. I called our local zoo in Chessington and Regent’s Park Zoo (I know neither has pandas, for whom our small (ton and a bit) offering might only be breakfast and maybe elevenses), but they told us, “We have already ordered our bamboo (for other furry guests) so any extra will just go to waste. Thank you for the offered donation.”
Resistance is futile
My resistance to removing “Donald” is futile. The bamboo must go to save the house and patio – to be replaced by a luscious bed of new soil and non-peat compost, where we can plant tall, evergreen Red Robin photinias or magnolia grandiflora on which our “pet” Blue and Coal Tits, Goldfinches, Robins and other feathered people can congregate all year round.
Our new friends from Surrey Bamboo (other reputable contractors are available on the internet) will cut down the “Donald’s” long arms and not so small hands (apparently) and excavate the roots. The team will come back whenever we see new roots coming up to remove them – no poison required, thank goodness, as we really don’t want our hedgehogs, fox-lets and other small furry people getting sick from arbitrary munching.
A sacrifice in the garden is worthwhile – no more creeping horizontal roots to undermine the patio, the lawn or the house; the creation of space for new, worthwhile planting – but it’s a wrench, nonetheless.
At least it’s not a useless and rampant weed like knotweed, or even Pampas Grass – pretty but also potentially invasive ….
Goodbye, prominent, invasive and dominant “Donald” … With luck, we won’t see its return within four years or so ….
Post scriptum
“Donald” is now no more, but disposal cost nearly £300 paid to the local recycling centre. At least we didn’t have to invoke the US Constitution 25th Amendment to enable the removal!
It took two strong guys and seven hours’ solid labour to dig up and remove, helped by tea and home-made Brownies ….
