Bamboo

Botanical Name	Phyllostachys spp.
Family	Poaceae
Origin	China

Identification

2-15 m high depending on species. Thick grass-like canes with alternating leaves. Mostly running root forms, some clumping root forms. Running species usually cause the weed problem. P. aurea and P. nigra are the more common species.

Habitats

Waste places, often used for erosion control and shelter belts. Garden or cultivation escape. Mostly found around towns and settlements.

Impact to Biota and Ecosystems

Dense stands of bamboo grow to the total exclusion of other vegetation.

Dispersal Routes, Vectors, Infestation Sources

Garden rubbish.

Management

Management
Physical Control	Remove in some situations with tractor mounted hydraulic equipment, earthmoving machines or similar. Tractor rotary slashing is an appropriate initial move in some situations, prior to chemical control of regrowth. Where safety permits, fire can be a valuable tool. Digging a trench around an area of bamboo can contain spread.
Disposal	Various according to circumstances. Preferably remove to authorised rubbish tip or burn. Always avoid dumping live underground parts into new locations where they go on growing.
Chemical Control	(i) Activated Amitrole (Amitrol, Weedazol 4L). Apply as an overall spray because Amitrole is absorbed by the foliage rather than the roots. Wet the foliage to the point of run-off. It is advisable to add a wetting agent such as Penetrant - see label rate. Rate - 2 litres Amitrole/100 litres water. (ii) Glyphosate + Penetrant. Autumn. Rate - Handgun 2 litres Glyphosate + 200 mls Penetrant/100 litres water. Knapsack 100 mls Glyphosate + 20 mls Penetrant/10 litres water. (iii) Galant at 300 ml / 10 litres of water plus Crop Oil at 100 ml / 10 litres. Proprietary herbicides which may contain one or more of the above herbicides that are effective on Bamboo are TAG and terminator.
Biological Control
Recommended Approach	Amitrole is recommended. Gallant works well and is recommended where the bamboo is growing among desirable broadleaf plants. Where plants are low enough, foliage absorbed herbicides (Glyphosate and Activated Amitrole) can be used. Tall stands of bamboo are best cleared, debris removed or burnt and either regrowth sprayed with Glyphosate + Penetrant or a root absorbed herbicide applied directly after felling. Root absorbed herbicides Hexazinone (Velpar) can also be used prior to felling the bamboo stand. Remember that these chemicals are prone to leaching in wet soils and persists for several months. It may be a good idea to dig a trench around the treated area to stop leaching to surrounding areas.