how to kill bamboo

Hi,

In two places I have gigantic bamboo plants. I've cut them to the ground and tried to take them out, but the roots are too well established.
How can I get rid of it?
Hopefully without chemicals...

Christie

Howdy, neighbor!

My limited experience with non-chemical bambooicide suggests that three things are required: a pick, a shovel, and a strong back. Dig, dispose, and repeat as necessary.

Bamboo is rather tenacious once established, as you've no doubt discovered, and certain varieties, such as the ubiquitous Phyllostachys aurea (Golden Bamboo) are virtual weeds in our area. Other species, however, are quite valuable; if you've got something uncommon, you could try advertising it for free on the condition that the the recipient remove it.

Good luck.

If it's one of the running bamboos I would ask you please not to give it away to anyone--some people don't understand how horrible running bamboos can be and it won't just take over their yard, it'll get into their neighbors yards too and become a horrible pest. If it's a clumping one though giving it away to someone who will come dig it up could be a good solution.

It'll cost a little money, but one thing you could consider is hiring a landscaping company to come dig it out--they will have the appropriate equipment to do it and you won't break your back that way! Or you could try the chemical route (sorry, don't know which ones would be best), but then you'll still have all the roots there so it'll be hard to plant anything else, so I think you'd really want it dug out anyway.

Napalm.

That's a joke, right?

LOL, my thoughts exactly Kachinagirl, but more along the lines of blow torch!

But seriously, here are some online suggestions:
http://www.bamboosourcery.com/catalog_sec.cfm?row=15

Calif_Sue, thank you. My fear comes true, hacking it out... I tried it, but I lack muscle mass... I will have to hire some strong men with the right tools to come get it done.