We have recently moved to the Dordogne region of France and have bought a property which comes with a large corner of the garden taken over by bamboo. I'm not sure what type it is but it has black stems, grows to about 10 ft plus, and appeared to advance rapidly when we moved in in May. We don't want it to take over and need to know the easiest way of dealing with it please.
Aaaaah :( Munch, what a job you will have. I had a small bamboo which I believed was non-invasive, hah.
We dug out what we could and then every time we saw it was starting to shoot we pulled out the new growth. After about 18 months I think we may have won, but we keep a close eye on it.
Good luck, someone may come up with a fail safe answer, hope so. :)
Hack it down, or wait till you get a dry spell and burn it, if you can do so safely. Plant a lawn on the spot, and mow regularly. After about three years, it should be safe to dig up the lawn and replant.
Oh black bamboo pity your not closer I would come with my spade.
Could you not control it by cutting around it to keep it under control shame to get rid of a beautiful plant.
Thanks for the suggestions, sorry i haven't replied earlier but I have been in England. It certainly is a very attractive plant but so invasive!!!