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How to Remove Bamboo from Your Garden – Expert Guide by Focal Point Landscape Maintenance

Bamboo can be beautiful. There is an elegance to the straight tall lines of this grass that is hard to beat. But if it’s in the wrong place, it’s hard to get rid of. You can cut it down to the ground and it’ll grow back. In this guide we’ll show you how to remove bamboo from your garden and stop it coming back, with tips from Focal Point Landscape Maintenance.

bamboo avenue
Bamboo can be beautiful. This image was taken at Bamboo Downunder. It's on the way up to Mt Tamborine.

Why removing bamboo matters

Bamboo may look attractive, but when left to its own devices it can:

  • spread via underground rhizomes and invade lawns, gardens or neighbouring property.
  • damage retaining walls, pavements or structures via root pressure in some cases.
  • be very difficult to control if the wrong variety (running rather than clumping) is planted.
  • blows around in the wind, hitting rooflines and gutters, annoying the living heck out of you.
For homeowners on the Gold Coast and surrounding areas, where gardens are often lush and expansive, letting bamboo run wild means more maintenance, more time and possibly more cost. That’s where Focal Point Landscape Maintenance can help you regain control.

Garden Clean Up

If your garden is getting beyond your ability to tame it, think about getting a garden clean up. We have half-day, one-day and two-day clean-ups available for you.

bamboo hedge
Bamboo can make an excellent and fast growing hedge. See also: hedge trimming.

Know your bamboo type

Before starting removal, it’s wise to determine which type of bamboo you’re dealing with:

Clumping bamboo

grows in tight clusters, less aggressive spread, easier to remove.

Running bamboo

spreads via long rhizomes underground, sends up shoots metres away from the original clump.

Legal requirements

Bamboo is not a prohibited or restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014. However, by law, everyone has a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) to take reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants under their control.

If you have running bamboo, expect more work. If it’s clumping, it’s more manageable. Knowing the type helps you choose the right removal strategy.

Bamboo that grew back
Bamboo that grew back. This bamboo was once cut down to the ground.

Step-by-Step Removal Method

Here’s a practical removal process you or your landscaper can follow. Get ready for some tough yakka if you’re doing this yourself. Bamboo is tough to cut down.

Step 1: Cut the canes down

Start by cutting all bamboo stalks (culms) as close to ground level as possible. This reduces the energy the plant can send to its roots.

shovel

Step 2: Expose and remove rhizomes and roots

Dig around the perimeter of the bamboo clump (for running types you’ll likely need a trench) and remove all visible rhizomes and roots. Even small pieces left behind can sprout. The roots like rubber at times so don't try and cut them up, just dig under and around them.

Step 3: Apply treatment (optional but helpful)

Once the canes are cut and roots exposed, you can apply a herbicide (e.g., a glyphosate-based product) to the freshly cut stubs so the chemical moves into the root network. This helps especially in cases where full removal is hard.

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Step 4: Install a barrier (for future prevention)

To prevent future spread, you can install a root-barrier (HDPE or other strong material) around the removal site, extending above and below ground.

Step 5: Monitor and maintain

After removal, keep checking the site for new shoots. For at least one or two growing seasons you’ll need to remove or kill any regrowth immediately.

Bamboo too close to the house.
Bamboo too close to the house. This will hit the house in a strong wind.

Prevention: Keep bamboo from coming back

Removing bamboo is one thing; preventing its return is equally important. Here’s how:
  • Ensure any remnant roots or rhizomes are fully removed or treated.
  • Avoid planting aggressive running bamboo unless you have strong containment in place.
  • If you keep bamboo, choose clumping varieties and install root-barriers at planting time.
  • Regularly inspect boundaries (especially if your neighbour also has bamboo) to prevent cross-border invasion.

When it’s time to call in the professionals

If the bamboo is:
  • very large, deeply established
  • growing across or under paths, patios, or neighbours’ properties
  • mixed in with other vegetation you want to keep
…then a professional landscaper like Focal Point Landscape Maintenance is worth using. They have the tools, experience and manpower to dig out rhizome networks safely and clean-up thoroughly.
tall bamboo

Choose Focal Point Landscape Maintenance for bamboo removal

  • Local to the Gold Coast region; understands Queensland soil and climate conditions.

  • Experienced with invasive bamboo removal, large-scale clumps and tricky locations.

  • Offers full service: removal, disposal, barrier installation and ongoing monitoring.

  • Focused on restoring your garden quickly and effectively, so you can enjoy your outdoor space again.

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Frequently Asked Questions – How to Remove Bamboo

What is the best way to remove bamboo permanently?
The most effective method is to cut the bamboo down to ground level, dig out the rhizomes, and treat any remaining roots with a suitable herbicide. For large infestations, professional removal ensures all root networks are cleared to prevent regrowth.
Most bamboo roots (rhizomes) grow within the top 30 cm of soil, but they can extend several metres horizontally. This is why bamboo can spread quickly across lawns and under fences if not properly contained.
Yes, it’s possible to remove bamboo manually by cutting and digging out the roots. However, this requires persistence — even a small leftover root fragment can regrow. Regularly monitor the area for new shoots and remove them immediately.

After removing bamboo, install a root barrier made of thick plastic or HDPE around the area to a depth of at least 600 mm. This prevents rhizomes from spreading back into the cleared space. Regular maintenance and inspection will also help stop regrowth.

The cost depends on the size and density of the bamboo clump, soil type, and access. Small patches may be handled DIY, but large, established infestations are best tackled by professional landscapers like Focal Point Landscape Maintenance, who can remove and dispose of bamboo safely.

Smothering bamboo with tarps or plastic can weaken it over time by cutting off sunlight, but it rarely eliminates it completely. The underground rhizomes can survive and sprout later. It’s best used alongside cutting and root removal for better results.
For small areas, removal may take a day or two. For large or invasive clumps, complete eradication — including monitoring and regrowth management — may take several months to a year.

If bamboo has invaded a large section of your garden, is growing under structures, or borders neighbouring properties, a professional service is highly recommended. Focal Point Landscape Maintenance offers expert bamboo removal for Gold Coast homeowners, ensuring your garden is restored and stays bamboo-free.