How can I get rid of bamboo in my backyard? Its very invasive and I am getting it from a back neighbor. I had some men cut them down and they said they would spray the roots so it doesnt come back--but I see some coming back. Someone else told me strong vinegar works to kill the roots. I have not tried that yet.
Anything else?

Running bamboo is extremely hard to get rid of. Vinegar will not work but brush killer would (and kill everything else too). As long as your neighbor has the bamboo, you will have bamboo. The only way to stop it is to trench down about 30 inches and pour a little concrete wall between you and the bamboo.

Or embrace the bamboo. Some battles are not worth fighting. I think it is quite a lovely plant, that makes a good screen. Maybe check out the database to see how others have used it. Otherwise, good luck with keeping it out of your yard.

Bonehead said:Or embrace the bamboo. Some battles are not worth fighting. I think it is quite a lovely plant, that makes a good screen. Maybe check out the database to see how others have used it. Otherwise, good luck with keeping it out of your yard.

The only thing is, I believe it is illegal to grow it here in NJ. I dont know why, but I heard it from 2 people. Its very invasive.

Ortho, Bonide or Bayer Brush Killer absolutely will NOT kill bamboo.

Like plain 2,4-D formulations, these brush killers are specific to dicots, NOT monocots (that include grasses and bamboo). The active ingredient in Bayer and Ortho Brush Killers is triclopyr . Tryclopyr is sometimes used as a weed killer in your (grass) lawn. Obviously, it does NOT kill your lawn. Bonide Brush Killer uses triclopyr with other regular lawn weed herbicides. It also does NOT kill grasses or bamboo.

Glyphosate does kill everything, but is not sold as a "brush killer" named product.

Leftwood said:Ortho, Bonide or Bayer Brush Killer absolutely will NOT kill bamboo.

Like plain 2,4-D formulations, these brush killers are specific to dicots, NOT monocots (that include grasses and bamboo). The active ingredient in Bayer and Ortho Brush Killers is triclopyr . Tryclopyr is sometimes used as a weed killer in your (grass) lawn. Obviously, it does NOT kill your lawn. Bonide Brush Killer uses triclopyr with other regular lawn weed herbicides. It also does NOT kill grasses or bamboo.

Glyphosate does kill everything, but is not sold as a "brush killer" named product.

Good to know. I've never tried killing bamboo but I've only grown clumping bamboo - it doesn't go anywhere very fast.

Bonehead said:Or embrace the bamboo. Some battles are not worth fighting. I think it is quite a lovely plant, that makes a good screen. Maybe check out the database to see how others have used it. Otherwise, good luck with keeping it out of your yard.

Sorry but I'm visualizing walking out the back door and smacking into a wall of timber bamboo.

Amy1022 said:

The only thing is, I believe it is illegal to grow it here in NJ. I dont know why, but I heard it from 2 people. Its very invasive.

Look! A leg to stand on....

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/...

Well done, Daisy!

Aha! The seller is supposed to give WRITTEN info to the buyer. How many nurseries/ garden centers do you suppose do that? Makes me wonder how many invasive species are actually policed in other states. I know Ca. doesn't do much about it...and we have lots of them. Even the check points are lax about looking at in coming plants, it's hit and miss.

So, it appears one can grow running bamboo, but cannot allow it to encroach on a neighboring property in NJ. I wouldn't want to open up that can of worms with the neighbor, but others might. Again, good luck.

Bonehead said:So, it appears one can grow running bamboo, but cannot allow it to encroach on a neighboring property in NJ. I wouldn't want to open up that can of worms with the neighbor, but others might. Again, good luck.

If you have it on your property, you can be fined 1,000 if you have no proof you've tried to do something to get rid of it. Unless you get rid of the roots, it's hard to get rid of. Where I have it, I've placed black weed cloth, and mulch on top of that. But it is popping up in a back corner- its behind my garage near my back fence.

I wonder who polices plants? Just curious.

Good question!

It sounds like you and your neighbor would need to work together to eliminate. Is the neighbor cultivating the bamboo, or just failing to kill it like you? I don't think weed cloth is going to make a difference. Sheet metal or something equally strong would be needed to smother something like bamboo.

Grew up on the east coast, se pa and del. I was stunned when I went back a few years ago and saw how much bamboo there was, it is a real problem.

Running bamboo is very cold hardy and very invasive. There's not much that can stop it.

Our bugaboo on the west coast is English ivy. Always sad when one overstays their welcome. Both bamboo and ivy are pretty plants, but when they start taking over the countryside...not so much.

Well, my next door neighbor got rid of his and I need to see what he did to remove it, but he got his bamboo from his back neighbor. So it does travel quick.
I am going to try the round up or the other chemical mentioned before and just keep my dog out if that section of the yard for some time.
I have ivy also, and need to get rid of it before it becomes a problem too.

Putting Round Up into the soil is a very bad idea, you say you'll keep your dog out of that section, but what about if other wildlife eat anything in that area, & it's bad for the enviroment, there has to be a better way. I don't understand why that poison hasn't been taken off the market