Is that the dreaded BAMBOO

[Dontpeemeoff]

Looking at a property which is ideal for us but then noticed what looks like bamboo. I’ve been told so many times to avoid houses with bamboo and now live in fear 😂
does this look like the kind to avoid?

It's an odd picture if that came from the estate agent's listing. If the house is perfect for you, don't give it a swerve because that might be bamboo; it can be removed, but will take some time and effort.

You’re not muddling it up with Japanese Knotweed? That’s the bigger threat.

That looks pretty well contained to me.

I was going to say that. Japanese Knotweed is a big deal. Bamboo can be annoying and tricky to remove but not a reason to discount an otherwise good property.

Whatever it is, it's been freshly chopped. You'll need to investigate.

My DSis bought a house with bamboo in the garden - suffice to say it isn’t there any more, but you do need to be strong to get rid of it - she couldn’t lift some of the root balls she dug out, and her son had to come round and help her.

That is bamboo, but the clumping kind, which is fine.

I think that's the clumping kind as well although the clump can actually damage fences as well if it's not properly contained.

Oh that’s good. I’ve heard bad things about both Japanese knotweed and bamboo! I think only certain types are a problem. I’m guessing a landscaper would sort it for us?

All bamboos spread underground, but the "running" types do it faster than the "clumping" types. You can't tell from that photo what type it is, but an inspection of the ground around it will show new shoots appearing through paving, etc. I wouldn't have either and I would discount a property if they had it in the ground like that. You can get rid of it but it's not fun to do and unless you get every scrap of root out - and you won't first time round - it will keep regrowing from root pieces so it's also not a quick job. Japanese knotweed is a massive pain but at least people aren't deliberately planting it any more.

Landscapers should be able to get it out. Our NDN planted bamboo next to the party fence so I had the joy of trying to contain it and stop it spreading in my garden (they didn't care about theirs so weren't bothered about restraining it. They have since moved on and I don't miss them one little bit...)

I have both types of bamboo in my garden. A small patch of clumping bamboo, which hasn't spread at all. However, my neighbour has the other kind at the end of a long garden, it spread into mine and went unchecked during the period between 'up for sale' and 'sold'. It took a lot of effort to dig out the roots. As an extra precaution I put down thick garden sheeting and paving blocks near my neighbours fence. Am happy to report that the bamboo hasn't made it's way back into mine, yet! I can't tell from that pic if it's clumping or recently trimmed root bamboo.

We have lived 10 years in a house with a bamboo hedge and a big clumping bamboo. I love bamboo but we did dig a big trench along the hedge and around the clump and added a rhizome barrier. It works a treat and we do not get escaping bamboo shoots any more. It is meant to be very good for the environment too.

We moved into a house with bamboo at the bottom of the garden it took me two weeks one Easter holiday to dig it all out as the roots are closely knit but nothing as bad as this. A house with it growing through it. Extreme but true v
www.idealhome.co.uk/news/bamboo-growing-through-hampshire-house-300991

Bamboo had been planted well before I bought my current house, it's been dug out three times after having landscaping done and it still comes back up, although only small bits which I zap with weedkiller as soon as I see it which does seem to stop it going mad and does seem to keep it somewhat under control. I doubt it will ever go completely.

Unfortunately its right on the border with next door and as they don't garden, it grows there and then comes back into my garden.

Bastard stuff!😡

Not the sharpest photo but it looks like Fargesia bamboo to me which is a clumping type. Still spreads eventually but nowhere near as bad as the running types which really should be banned from sale.

It wouldn’t put me off buying a property but I would get it all dug out immediately if it was mine and be vigilant in case it returns.

Round up tree and stump killer undiluted mixed with dry wallpaper paste powder carefully painted on to any new sprouts kills bamboo without ruining any nearby plants.

Not all bamboos are the same. I have some in a pot and it’s slow growing and non invasive. It’s still in a pot though! Across the road there’s a huge clump of it and it’s popped up on the border of our neighbour’s property on the other side of the street!

I would find that off putting

Photo

Wowzers, the bamboo in the article is horrific!

A clumping kind that's cut back properly and surrounded by root barrier is pretty safe. It wouldn't put me off buying a house, as you could remove it / have it removed professionally, assuming it's on your land.